Japan's motorcycle wars : an industry history / Jeffrey W. Alexander.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alexander, Jeffrey W., 1972-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Motorcycle industry--Japan--History.

Motorcycle industry.

Motorcycling--Japan--History.

Motorcycling.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (305 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Vancouver : UBC Press, c2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For decades the crown jewels of Japan's postwar manufacturing industry, motorcycles remain one of Japan's top exports. Japan's Motorcycle Wars assesses the historical development and societal impact of the motorcycle industry, from the influence of motor sports on vehicle sales in the early 1900s to the postwar developments that led to the massive wave of motorization sweeping the Asia-Pacific region today. Jeffrey Alexander brings a wealth of information to light, providing English translations of transcripts, industry publications, and company histories that have until now been available only in Japanese. By exploring the industry as a whole, he reveals that Japan's motorcycle industry was characterized not by communitarian success but by misplaced loyalties, technical disasters, and brutal competition.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Japan's Transportation Revolution 1896-1931

Motorcycle and Empire

Know Your Customers

Know Your Competitors

The Rise of the Big Four

Bitter Realities

Sales and Safety

Motorcycle Production, Use, and Exports

Profiles of Motorcycle Manufacturers

Notes

Glossary

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [258]-265) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-45696-2

9786612456961

0-7748-5603-3

OCLC:

646864007