The easiest way to change the world is to do anything. We’re all so connected these days, our lives so intertwined, that the number of dominoes needed to cause an outcome on the other side of the world from a small initial action here continues to dwindle.
No, the Morning Dump is not talking about the war. I’m sure there will be plenty of knock-on effects of what’s going on right now, but there’s been no clear justification for the emergency that theoretically must have preceded this massive action, and no currently clearly outlined goals for how to end that emergency, which makes it difficult to judge its impact on the automotive world in the moment.
What I am talking about is the tariffs, which were another massive executive action undertaken to address various emergencies, imagined or real. The Butterfly Effect of all of this is that, for the first time in nearly four decades, an American-built Honda is being sold in Japan. Even more curious, it’ll be the first Acura ever sold there. It gets weirder.
Remember when everyone acted like BYD was this big, unstoppable machine after knocking off Tesla, which seemed like this big, unstoppable machine? Who is next? Could it be Geely? It probably won’t be AUDI, the Chinese Audi sub-brand. And it won’t be Audi of America, but maybe new leadership there can turn things around.
Finally, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, the greatest film series of all time is finally getting its due at the Petersen Museum.
Yes, It’s Left-Hand Drive, And Yes, It’s Super Weird
I didn’t think I was going to get a chance to use this ridiculous image again so soon, so I’m grateful to today’s news cycle for giving me another opportunity.
It’s difficult to explain how earthshattering it was for a young car enthusiast to experience the 1-2 punch of Gran Turismo and The Fast and the Furious. I remember thinking that the Isuzu Impulse my dad had, or the FX16 Corolla in the driveway near my buddy’s house, were the end-all, be-all of weird Japanese performance cars.
Then, all of a sudden, the original PlayStation game introduced me to Demios, FTOs, and Skylines. While I’d seen hints of these in American car magazines, all of a sudden, I was sliding EVO III GSRs around a track. It was amazing. Then, the summer after my senior year in high school, the first Fast and the Furious film debuted. By the next summer, the imported, right-hand drive Japanese cars started to appear.
Partially due to the film and the game, and partially due to the JPY/USD exchange rates swapping back and forth, it suddenly became profitable and desirable to import JDM cars to the United States.
Even though we got the delightful DC2 Integra Type R, people still imported the Japanese version, which was the Honda Integra. The presence of a Honda badge and different headlight configuration screamed “I went through a lot of effort to get this” and commanded some level of respect. You see, Japan didn’t have Acura, so all Integras were Hondas there.
That’s why the news that Honda will be exporting the Acura Integra to Japan is so funny. It is the complete inverse of past history.
Here’s Automotive News on what’s happening:
Exports of the high-performance Acura Integra Type S and the off-road-ready Honda Passport TrailSport Elite crossover will begin in the second half of 2026, Honda said March 1. Both models will retain their U.S. specifications, including left-hand drive configuration, despite Japan’s right-hand-drive norm.
The souped-up Integra hot hatch will be the first Acura-branded vehicle ever sold in Japan.
The selections stem from “anticipated customer demand” in Japan, with sales planned in “limited quantities,” American Honda spokesperson Jessica Fini told Automotive News. The company declined to share projected volumes for the Japanese market.
That’s right. They’re not even going to try to flip the steering wheels! Amazing. How much of this is show and how much of this is just good business? It’s very hard to say. I obviously think the Acura Integra Type S is great. I also drove a Honda Passport Trailsport across the country last summer, and I get it. There are definitely customers for these two high-trim, performance-oriented models.
This was one of my first thoughts when it seemed like Japan was going to relax its rules, keeping foreign-built cars off its streets: this is going to be great for enthusiasts there! Is this what the White House was imagining? Not quite. I think they were picturing more F-150s in Tokyo, but bringing stuff like Integras and RAV4s/Camrys to Japan probably makes the most sense.
It’ll be fascinating to see how “limited” those quantities are and, of course, how expensive these vehicles end up when compared to the American prices. If this is like 300 Integras and 200 Passports, then this was all probably for show.
Geely Is Beating BYD At Home
I think we in the West somewhat erroneously view China as a battle between BYD and Tesla because that’s been the big discussion for the last few years, as BYD, slowly then quickly, took over the global title of best-selling EV automaker from Tesla. China is far more complex than that, and it’s been the relatively stalwart Geely that’s done well. Last year, Geely’s Starwish became the best-selling car, and this year the brand is even outselling BYD.
Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. sold more vehicles than BYD Co. for a second consecutive month, piling pressure on the latter to beef up its lineup and reignite waning demand for electric vehicles.
In the first two months of this year, Geely delivered about 76,000 units more than BYD, which saw a 36% slump in the period, according to company filings. The last time Geely, founded by billionaire Li Shufu had more shipments than BYD for at least two consecutive months was in 2022.
[…]
Chief Executive Officer Wang Chuanfu said at a company event in December that the technological lead the company enjoyed has diminished as rivals started to catch up, hurting sales.
BYD has shifted some of its focus to other countries, especially in Europe, where its technology isn’t as far behind, and its pricing advantage is still large.
Audi Of Americas Has A New Boss, Same Old Problems
Vito Paladino, who currently runs Volkswagen Group Canada, will take over as president of Audi of America. What a terrible job. Audi is at its lowest point in the United States, and tariff relief seems a distant promise. Sales are down, the products aren’t particularly exciting, and the future is murky.
Still, the guy has done well in Canada, and, as Automotive News points out, there’s maybe some reason for hope:
While Audi’s lineup has expanded with EVs in recent years, 2026 will see new and updated crossovers with internal combustion engines in showrooms. The Q5 midsize crossover, Audi’s bestseller, was redesigned in 2025. A redesigned Q3 compact crossover began arriving at dealerships in the first quarter.
Audi plans to unveil a redesigned Q7 large crossover in 2026 along with a new nameplate, the Q9. The Q9 will be slotted as Audi’s flagship crossover.
Hear me out: now is the time to bring the A2 back. Will it help with sales? Almost certainly not. But it’ll make me happy.
Go See The Fast And Furious Cars At The Petersen Museum
I unashamedly love the Fast and Furious movies. I especially enjoy the first three films, although the introduction of The Rock was fun. I also love the Petersen Automotive Museum, so it’s great to hear that the museum will have many of the most iconic cars featured:
Among the highlights is the 1993 Toyota Supra “Stunt #3,” driven by Paul Walker as Brian O’Conner in the original “The Fast and the Furious,” and the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Brian during the opening street race of the same movie, a moment that helped introduce tuner culture to mainstream audiences. Also featured is the 2001 Honda S2000 driven by Suki, playedby Devon Aoki, in “2 Fast 2 Furious”; the second-generation 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, drivenby Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto, from “Fast & Furious 6”; the 1997 Nissan 240SX, driven by Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz in the premiere of the franchise, and Dom Toretto’s 1993 Mazda RX-7, prominently featured in the first film and emblematic of early-2000s street racing culture.
When you’re at the museum, get the tuna.
What I’m Listening To While Writing TMD
I’m enjoying the new Mitski album because Mitski is amazing. “In A Lake” is an excellent first track, so I’d start there.
The Big Question
What car would you import from Japan now? New or old. Anything!
Top photo: Acura
What car would I currently Import, that changes by the day? Most of my favorite cars come out of Japan, although my current Hondas were built in England and Alabama. Likely right now I’d go a JZX100 Toyota Chaser Tourer V, as a 1JZ Manual 4 door sedan sounds pretty sweet right now. Although if this was an unlimited budget kind of question it would be an Evo 6 TMI.
As for the DE5 going to Japan, it kinda makes sense. Japan has been “Sold out” of FL5 Civic Type Rs since the car launched, demand far outstrips supply. Outside of the US, Japan is the biggest market for the FL5 Type R, but quantities are production limited. Production for Japanese market FL5s ends this year, so I’m guessing Honda is trying to get those last little bit of sales before the refresh next year.
Any kei truck, my dream got more expensive thanks to tariffs but one day I will own one, its just perfect for what I need a truck for.
Being old, my JDM lust from working at a Datsun dealer was finding an FIA head for an L-16.
The time position also causes me to prefer the cars in “The Fast and the Furious”, Roger Cormans’ black and white carsploitation epic.
Honda sending US built cars to Japan is nothing new.
https://www.drivingline.com/articles/made-in-america-but-only-for-japan-the-strange-story-of-hondas-90s-jdm-accord-sirs/
Also – In Japan, having an imported LHD car is something of a flex.
Look at all the Japanese-market Mercedes-Benz from the 80’s and 90’s coming out of the country – They’re almost all LHD. Even VWs sold there in that timeframe were predominantly LHD.
“… when it seemed like Japan was going to relax its rules, keeping foreign-built cars off its streets”
What does this even mean?
Japan has allowed foreign cars into their country for the past century.
“Japan has allowed foreign cars into their country for the past century.”
That is the inconvenient truth that this and past administrations don’t want to hear. Japan has no tariffs on imported cars and anyone was / is free to sell there. You just have to step up your game and sell something that Japanese customers want to buy.
Exactly.
The Japanese markets are wide open – but the Japanese buyer will not spend money on something which is poorly built, gets terrible mileage, costs too much in annual road tax, and/or is too large to fit in their home parking space.
(Yes, the local licensing authority checks this unless you are registering a Kei. You may not register a car which is too large or if you do not have an off-street parking space – unless it’s a Kei.)
Then there’s the negative cultural association of American cars, such as Cadillacs, with organized crime: Yakuza.
That Type S top shot is probably my all-time Autopian fave. I got a solid laugh out of it the first time around and I’m glad to see it back.
R31 Skyline coupe, GTS-Turbo. Something about a 2 liter twin cam straight six gives me fizzy feelings. Plus that blue Calsonic Skyline from Gran Turismo 2 was one of my favorites back in the day. It must be something about those hot-plate taillights…
At this point in my life: I would want the Stagea 260RS (or the later 350S) over the Skylines.
All the fun: but with the utility and class of a proper wagon.
Suzuki Cappuccino and a kei firetruck for me please
new 5-door Jimny easy call for me.
Same here but not from Japan as I have no interest in RHD
My neighborhood has slowly transitioned from Audi Q-whatevers to being dominated by Toyota SUVs – RAV4 & Highlanders (and requisite smattering of CRVs, Civics, and such).
Is it a K-shaped observation, or a reflection of people wondering why spend money on an Audi, when a Toyota will do all the same things and, as a bonus, be a better car?
I have an unsupported hypothesis that the more K-shaped the economy becomes, the more people want to avoid being noticed in that upper bit of the K.
Attention becomes a more dangerous thing as class tensions rise, and people are willing to down-badge to avoid that. Luxury brands are pretty embarrassing right now because of that.
That theory is not unsupported – plenty of articles, books, and studies on the topic. He is just one:
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691183176/the-sum-of-small-things
Current vehicle I would love to import a Suzuki 2dr Jimny with a stick shift. Older vehicles either a AZ-1 (as mentioned by peeps below) or a late 80s/early 90s Delcia 4×4.
I appluad your fine taste.
“When you’re at the museum, get the tuna.”
No crust
No one likes the tuna here.
When all’s said and done I think we’re going to look back at Mitski as one of the premier musicians of this era. Her catalogue is absolutely loaded, her sound is diverse, and I’m not sure if there’s anyone who’s been better able to lyrically capture the desolate, depressed, social media fueled malaise of the last 15 years.
And she does it all in 3 minute sarcastic bangers that get you in and out, no less. It’s an incredible feat. She’s obviously very well known and widely respected but I still don’t think she quite gets the amount of credit she deserves. Maybe it’s because of her sort of anti-popstar schtick…although I find it quite endearing.
Great for Japan. The Integra Type S is a great option over the Type R for the niceties offered.
I love Japanese imports but I don’t think I would enjoy RHD. So probably nothing directly from Japan. Although the cute little trucks have been interesting.
Yeah, call me lame but there’s nothing JDM that I’d enjoy enough to put up with RHD, especially trying to shift with my left hand.
I’ll stick with Japanese electronics.
I vacationed in the UK and drove a RHD stick shift Peugeot 307 around for 20 days. I was used to it after a few hours.
I think the point everyone is trying to make is that driving a RHD vehicle in a LHD country is sub-optimal.
Been hoping to vacation in UK or Ireland, good to know.
I think a truck that I used for around town and hardware store runs in RHD would be fine to drive, and a ton of fun. Something that I’d want to take trips in where I’m ending up in unfamiliar towns or hard to navigate intersections, I agree with your concern.
I am a sucker for the 90-series Toyota Prados.
This comes from my love for the 1st gen Tacoma/3rd gen 4runner, mixed with lusting for diesel power and useless 3rd row seats.
Yes, the Prado is a beefier 3rd gen 4runner, with a optional diesel, manual transmission, rear locker. What’s not to love?
Import? Toyota Century 25+ years old.
I still want an Autozam AZ-1 (that I want to engine swap with a Ducati V4), a Suzuki Cappuccino, a Mazda 323 GTR, a Mitsubishi Pajero Evo, and of course the DeTomaso Daihatsu Charade 926R (which is probably long destroyed, but I still hold out hope it exists)
An Autozam AZ-1 is the only one I would put up with being on the wrong side of the car and shifting with my left hand.
I have personally never been as sick of anything, pop culture-wise, as I am of the over-saturation and undying affection for the first 3 Fast and the Furious movies. It’s eclipsed the Marvel and Harry Potter fandoms at their most annoying peaks.
I barely know the franchise, I’ve seen a few random movies, didn’t like any of them. But didn’t the 1st three at least have car stuff as the plot? And then started defying physics and flying to the moon?
They did, and they were interesting snapshots of the tuner era at the time with the cars they used. But I STG a lot of car people have only ever watched those movies.
IDK, I can’t make other people feel joy in the same way I feel joy.