Car and Driver has a feature about some Japanese cars that are produced solely for the Japanese market. Here’s the concept of the article:
It was Suzuki’s idea to gather 20 cars in his homeland, cars that are built exclusively for Japanese consumption. Then he invited foreign journalists to flog them…
“First, what I am wanting to know is whether these cars would interest enthusiasts outside Japan,” Suzuki said. The answer, not surprisingly, is “yes,” with two or three exceptions. More interesting—at least to us—was this: Because these cars are aimed squarely at domestic buyers, their manufacturers felt safe in suffusing them with all the quirks and kinks unique to the Japanese culture. Stuff like radios with 95 functions, including e-mail; TV cameras for backing up; action-adventure styling; and inscrutable legends embroidered into floor mats, such as: “Life saying is first at home place.”
Each car is given a ‘Yankee Desirability Rating’ and much to my surprise, the Nissan Cube (the boxy, blue van above) gets a perfect 10 on that scale. I guess that explains Toyota’s Generation Y targeted Scion.