Japanese Used Cars Popular in the U.S. In recent years, Japanese used cars have become increasingly popular in the U.S. According to statistics from the Japan Used Vehicle Export Association (JUMVEA), exports of domestically produced used cars jumped from just 816 units in 2011 to 11,380 units in 2021 or about 14 times as many. As of February this year, 2,367 vehicles had been exported, and at this pace, the number is expected to exceed 15,000 by 2022.Why are Japanese used cars gaining popularity now? One reason has to do with U.S. regulations on used car imports. In the U.S., there is a provision known as the 25-year rule, which allows the importation of vehicles that have been manufactured for 25 years or more, even if they do not meet safety and emission standards. This rule has allowed for the export to the U.S. of several vehicles that have been deregulated, such as the Civic, Integra, Silvia S15, and other sports cars sold from the late 1980s to early 2000s, as well as light trucks that boast compact body sizes and outstanding ease of use. Among these, the Skyline series boasts immense popularity. The number of exports increased dramatically in 2014, when the ban on the R32 was lifted, and in 2020 when the ban on the R33 was lifted.