This change can even completely alter the identity of cars that have been around for generations. This limits the customizability of the car, taking away so many of the elements JDM and the wider community of car enthusiasts enjoy. Not only are these vehicles silent and incredibly heavy, but they have no engine or exhaust!Īs far as modifications can go, there are only aesthetic changes that can be made. The current trend towards electrifying cars means a big shift in the way cars operate and hence, how they can be modified.

However, with the current trajectory of vehicles and many manufacturers making the switch to electrification, there are questions of whether this will ruin the culture. With these vehicles having a long history of change, both in aesthetic design elements and under-the-hood details, their ability to be customized and tuned had remained. How Will The Electrification of Cars Impact Culture? In other words, investing in the aesthetic look of the car rather than the performance. The “ricing” look consisted of adding extra weight to the vehicle in the form of body panels and kits without any investment in the performance of the vehicle. The flashy cars and insane looks seen in the Fast and Furious series, as well as mainstream gaming, led to the desire to also have cars of this nature. Again, glimpses into the culture of car modifying and street racing further propelled the JDM scene into the spotlight.Īlthough these glimpses of the JDM scene pushed the culture forward and into the mainstream, it gave way to a new style of modifications – “ricing”. The popularity of these games spanned several years and featured cars including the Mitsubishi Eclipse and WRX.

The Need for Speed games also gave way to the rise of interest in JDM cars to the younger generations of the early 2000s. It also paved the way for the boom in street racing and meet-ups, which made modifying and tuning even more popular. From Brian’s famous Skyline GT-R in the first two installments of the franchise to Han’s RX-7 in the third, these films brought JDM cars into the mainstream media and in the eyes of millions worldwide. The Fast and Furious franchise starting in the early 2000s is what really propelled JDM cars and culture into the spotlight. Vehicles such as the Toyota Chaser, Mazda RX-7, and Toyota Supra all hold legendary status in the JDM sphere. The influence of these 90’s JDM cars is still felt in today’s age, with many of the mid-to-late 90’s cars holding up and even appreciating despite their age. Japanese vehicles offered the affordability and low price point of domestic American cars, along with performance stats that matched European cars. These Japanese sports cars offered the perfect blend in what the American market loved about their domestic cars, as well as European exotics. American muscle cars and expensive European exotics made up the majority of vehicles owned in this market.Īs the ’80s came to a close and the ’90s began, Japanese used cars began entering the American market. While Japanese-made sports cars were taking off in Asia, the American market didn’t have access to these cars. There was also the Yakuza, the famous Japanese mob, who began modifying their vehicles, namely Toyota Crowns in a style now known today as the “VIP Style”. The Kanjozoku were a group of people who raced exclusively with Honda Civics. It was then that motorsports and a fascination with these cars began to spread like wildfire.ĭuring the mid-’80s, groups and cultures were starting to take off in Japan, with the group known as the Kanjozoku. What makes these cars so special to have an entire culture dedicated to these cars? History of the JDM SceneĪlthough the JDM scene and culture cannot be traced back to a specific date, it was during the 1980s that Japanese manufacturers began manufacturing incredible sports cars, like the Toyota AE86. However, the JDM scene represents more than just cars and their ability to be modified – It’s a lifestyle, community, culture, and experience.

Cars jdm scene