U.S. Cars With Right-Hand Steering Wheel Debut in Japan
Chrysler has introduced the first U.S. car--a Jeep Cherokee--for sale in Japan with the steering wheel on the right.
Like the British, Japanese drive on the left side of the road. Japanese officials have long said American cars do not sell well here because of the placement of the steering wheel.
“I would never buy an American car with a steering wheel on the left side,” said potential customer Yoshikazu Kasahara as he slipped behind the wheel at the Tokyo Imported Automobile Show. “But next time, I think I’ll buy one of these.”
Other U.S. makers and trade officials are sure to keep close watch on sales of the Cherokee.
European makers already sell cars here with right-side steering wheels, and Japanese companies have sold cars with left-hand drive in the United States since they first entered the North American market.
Osamu Nagata, general manager of marketing for Chrysler Japan Sales, said 380 people already have orders in for the right-hand Jeeps, which go on sale this week with a $29,800 price tag. Chrysler hopes to sell a modest 2,500 Jeeps here this year, up from 1,457 last year.
