When you ask someone to name a JDM car, you will probably hear something in response like “Toyota Supra” or “Nissan Skyline”. These cars then go to auction and are often purchased by car importers and dealers in other countries like New Zealand, where they are imported, complied and then able to be sold and drive on the road. Generally this occurs when the original Japanese owner trades back in or sells the car (read our guide here on why Japanese cars have such low mileage and get sold early for more information on the reasons for this).

While JDM cars are built with the intention of being sold new in Japan to the domestic market, it is also possible to get them outside of Japan. JDM as a slang term has come to refer generally to any interesting/quirky/legendary Japanese car, but that isn’t correct. In other words, if the car was not built to be sold new in Japan then it is not JDM.Ī Toyota Corolla built in Japan but sold new in Australia, for example, is a Japanese car but NOT JDM. JDM refers specifically to cars produced for the Japanese Domestic Market. The most common myth we see repeated is that all Japanese cars are JDM. What Is Considered A JDM Car? Top 3 Myths Busted All Japanese Cars Are JDM So, without further ado, let’s dive in and look at the myths and realities of JDM. One thing we have noticed over our time researching and writing on JDM is that there are many myths about what JDM cars actually are.Īs such, we decided to put together this short article that dispels common myths about Japanese Domestic Market vehicles, to answer the question definitely “what is considered a JDM car”. At Garage Dreams we are big fans of JDM cars (read our guide here to what JDM means if you aren’t sure).

Jdm meaning slang