“JDM”- A term every car enthusiast has heard. However.. what does “JDM” truly mean, and what is its popularity in today’s society? The term “JDM,” which stands for Japanese Domestic Market, originates in Japan. It refers to vehicles manufactured for the Japanese market, including cars, bikes, and trucks. With Japan’s strong automotive history, “JDM” has evolved to represent a distinct culture within the automotive world, admired by enthusiasts globally.

In 1917, Koyata Iwasaki, the fourth president of Mitsubishi Motors, created Japan’s first mass-produced vehicle, the Mitsubishi Model-A. This vehicle was equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-six gasoline engine. With 35 horsepower, the Model-A laid a strong foundation for Japan’s automotive industry.

Next in line was the powerful brand historically known as ‘Datsun’. Datsun’s most popular car is the ‘Fairlady Z’, widely regarded to as the ‘280z’ in North America. With a whopping horsepower of 180, it was equipped with a 2.8-liter turbocharged inline-six, gasoline powered engine. Though it was not their first turbocharged vehicle, the Fairlady Z took the lead in 1981 for their turbocharged performance against European cars.

Earlier on, Datsun transitioned their brand into what is now known as ‘Nissan’. Nissan kept Datsun’s legacy alive by creating the DAT in 1914. They have created the most popular cars in the modern Japanese Market as of the Silvia’s, 350/370z’s, Skyline/GTR’s, and 300zx’s. Today, Nissan continues to build on this rich heritage, officially leaving the name Datsun in 2022, while remaining a key player in the global automotive landscape.

(this is a draft. i’m still writing, just taking a little break. i hope this is very informative as is!)