Gasoline demand in Japan drops for first time in 32 years

**Tideland Prius** · 02-09-2007, 07:30 PM

Tokyo, Japan - Demand for automobile gasoline in Japan dropped 0.9 per cent in 2006 to 60 million litres, the first year-on-year drop in 32 years, according to a report by the Green Car Congress. The data was released by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Within the total, the demand for premium fuel fell even more sharply, dropping 5.6 per cent to 10.1 million litres. Demand for diesel rose 0.1 per cent to 40.2 million litres.

Read Full Article

Mirza · 02-10-2007, 12:15 AM

Sweet! Finally looks like change is in the air!

SanZan · 02-11-2007, 08:27 AM

I thought there was something funny about that number (which works out at 0.5 litres per capita!) and when I looked it up, it seems there's been a mistake in translation. The actual figure is 60 million KILOLITERS. If you can read Japanese, here's the link.

http://fseibi.jp/document/eco/

There are 79 million cars on the road, which makes for a per vehicle consumption of 760 liters.

Its good to see the total come down. Lots of Japanese tv commercials for small cars now explicitly mention fuel economy. It's a noticable change.

The mini-vehicles that the Canadian report refers to have 660cc engines. These vehicles are often less economical than sub-compacts like the Vitz and Fit, but they are popular because they are cheap to insure and they get big tax breaks.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-11-2007, 03:41 PM

yeah I've always wondered about smaller engines in large cars (all relative). Wouldn't a smaller engine be more strained and thus use more fuel compared to a larger (but still not overly large) engine for that same vehicle?

e.g. a 1.3 litre in a Corolla vs. a 1.8 litre. Wouldn't the 1.3 litre strain to haul the Corolla around? and for this example, maybe a 1.6 litre is a good compromise?

Anyway, yeah they even get a 1.0 litre CVT Vitz! We get the "sport" version with the 1.5 litre haha.

ken1784 · 02-11-2007, 08:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SanZan @ Feb 11 2007, 10:27 PM) [snapback]388397[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I thought there was something funny about that number (which works out at 0.5 litres per capita!) and when I looked it up, it seems there's been a mistake in translation. The actual figure is 60 million KILOLITERS. If you can read Japanese, here's the link.

http://fseibi.jp/document/eco/

There are 79 million cars on the road, which makes for a per vehicle consumption of 760 liters.
[/b]

The 79 million number includes diesel cars.
We also consume 40 million Kliters of diesel fuel.

Ken@Japan

spwolf · 02-11-2007, 09:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 11 2007, 09:41 PM) [snapback]388549[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

yeah I've always wondered about smaller engines in large cars (all relative). Wouldn't a smaller engine be more strained and thus use more fuel compared to a larger (but still not overly large) engine for that same vehicle?

e.g. a 1.3 litre in a Corolla vs. a 1.8 litre. Wouldn't the 1.3 litre strain to haul the Corolla around? and for this example, maybe a 1.6 litre is a good compromise?

Anyway, yeah they even get a 1.0 litre CVT Vitz! We get the "sport" version with the 1.5 litre haha.
[/b]

depends on where you drive it. 1.8 is fine on the highway at higher speeds, but in the city and stop and go traffic, thats where smaller engines win.

For instance, 1.0 Yaris can average 2l/100km less than 1.3l Yaris easily...

**Tideland Prius** · 02-12-2007, 03:29 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(spwolf @ Feb 11 2007, 06:41 PM) [snapback]388690[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

depends on where you drive it. 1.8 is fine on the highway at higher speeds, but in the city and stop and go traffic, thats where smaller engines win.

For instance, 1.0 Yaris can average 2l/100km less than 1.3l Yaris easily...
[/b]

Makes you wonder why not offer it as a Canada-only vehicle... the 1.0 litre that is.

SomervillePrius · 02-12-2007, 08:33 AM

This is great news. As technology advances we should se more and more effcient cars. I applaud Japan for succeeding in this effort. I wonder when we will see this in US. I think we're a long way of, but maybe if you measure the big cities (like NY, LA and Chicago) alone you will see it sooner?

JSH · 02-12-2007, 04:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 11 2007, 03:41 PM) [snapback]388549[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

yeah I've always wondered about smaller engines in large cars (all relative). Wouldn't a smaller engine be more strained and thus use more fuel compared to a larger (but still not overly large) engine for that same vehicle?

e.g. a 1.3 litre in a Corolla vs. a 1.8 litre. Wouldn't the 1.3 litre strain to haul the Corolla around? and for this example, maybe a 1.6 litre is a good compromise?

Anyway, yeah they even get a 1.0 litre CVT Vitz! We get the "sport" version with the 1.5 litre haha.
[/b]

You should also know that in Japan the highest speed limit is 100 kph. It is quite easy to use a small engine and change the gearing to allow for acceleration and a overdrive gear for cruising at 100 kph.

Godiva · 02-12-2007, 05:03 PM

Well, the Prius went on sale in 1997. They sell several hybrids, including I believe a minivan. So it's taken 10 years of car sales for hybrids to finally show an effect on the gasoline market.

It would take a lot longer in the U.S.

02-11-2007, 08:27 AM	#3
SanZan Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 60 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I thought there was something funny about that number (which works out at 0.5 litres per capita!) and when I looked it up, it seems there's been a mistake in translation. The actual figure is 60 million KILOLITERS. If you can read Japanese, here's the link. http://fseibi.jp/document/eco/ There are 79 million cars on the road, which makes for a per vehicle consumption of 760 liters. Its good to see the total come down. Lots of Japanese tv commercials for small cars now explicitly mention fuel economy. It's a noticable change. The mini-vehicles that the Canadian report refers to have 660cc engines. These vehicles are often less economical than sub-compacts like the Vitz and Fit, but they are popular because they are cheap to insure and they get big tax breaks. __________________ 2005 Driftwood Pearl Japanese "G model" = VSC, SKS, CD-Changer, Leather Steering Wheel Sat Nav, Side Visors, Luggage Mat, Electronic Toll Collection, "Cold Climate" Setup.

02-11-2007, 03:41 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,192 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 528 Times in 355 Posts Friends: 26	yeah I've always wondered about smaller engines in large cars (all relative). Wouldn't a smaller engine be more strained and thus use more fuel compared to a larger (but still not overly large) engine for that same vehicle? e.g. a 1.3 litre in a Corolla vs. a 1.8 litre. Wouldn't the 1.3 litre strain to haul the Corolla around? and for this example, maybe a 1.6 litre is a good compromise? Anyway, yeah they even get a 1.0 litre CVT Vitz! We get the "sport" version with the 1.5 litre haha. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit, LED lights 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lights, Illum. Scuff Plates, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Gasoline use up 2.8% since early time change	hb06	Gen II Prius Fuel Economy	6	04-08-2007 10:54 AM
Mazda hydrogen-powered RX-8 seen outside Japan for first time	Tideland Prius	Other Cars	0	09-11-2006 11:12 AM
Why has gasoline demand fallen?	naterprius	Environmental Discussion	24	01-21-2006 10:30 AM
Subcompact Demand Tips Scales to Japan	Kiloran	Prius and Hybrid News	0	12-24-2005 10:10 AM
Time from Japan to Southern California	DudleyDoRight	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	1	04-25-2004 05:51 PM

02-09-2007, 07:30 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,192 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 528 Times in 355 Posts Friends: 26	Tokyo, Japan - Demand for automobile gasoline in Japan dropped 0.9 per cent in 2006 to 60 million litres, the first year-on-year drop in 32 years, according to a report by the Green Car Congress. The data was released by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Within the total, the demand for premium fuel fell even more sharply, dropping 5.6 per cent to 10.1 million litres. Demand for diesel rose 0.1 per cent to 40.2 million litres. Read Full Article

02-10-2007, 12:15 AM	#2
Mirza Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 899 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Sweet! Finally looks like change is in the air!

02-12-2007, 08:33 AM	#8
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 945 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	This is great news. As technology advances we should se more and more effcient cars. I applaud Japan for succeeding in this effort. I wonder when we will see this in US. I think we're a long way of, but maybe if you measure the big cities (like NY, LA and Chicago) alone you will see it sooner?

02-12-2007, 05:03 PM	#10
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,340 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 7	Well, the Prius went on sale in 1997. They sell several hybrids, including I believe a minivan. So it's taken 10 years of car sales for hybrids to finally show an effect on the gasoline market. It would take a lot longer in the U.S.