GM will go it alone in Japan. From November on, GM will “switch to direct sales for all its Japanese-market models, some of which are now sold by a Mitsui & Co. unit,” reports The Nikkei [sub]. Mitsui Bussan Automotive began handling GM vehicles in 1992 and focused mainly on large SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Avalanche, Traverse, Silverado and HHR.
When taking over the business from Bussan, GM will drop all the cars except for the Cadillac Escalade. Sales of the other cars will end after inventories run out. GM will focus on smaller cars like the Chevrolet Sonic and other models for which it anticipates strong sales. Its own unit imported cars like the Cadillac CTS and SRX, and the Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, and Captiva. According to data by the Japan Automobile Importers Association, GM sold 2,345 cars in Japan last year, including 376 Hummers (which were popular amongst a certain segment that is often short a finger.)