KUALA LUMPUR: JapanCars, a company best known for exporting Japanese vehicles to international markets, is positioning itself as a cross-border automotive platform aimed at connecting buyers, dealers, suppliers and logistics partners through a single ecosystem.
Founded by Malaysian entrepreneur Terry On, the company is leveraging more than 16 years of industry experience and networks built in Japan to expand its role beyond vehicle exports and into automotive trade facilitation.
According to On, the company’s long-term vision is to create a platform that simplifies international automotive transactions while improving transparency and efficiency across the supply chain.
"We are not just selling vehicles. We are building a platform that connects buyers, dealers and automotive suppliers worldwide through technology, transparency and trust," he said.
JapanCars was established following On’s years of involvement in Japan’s automotive sector. Coming from a family with roots in Malaysia’s automotive industry, he said the business was founded with the aim of bridging the gap between global buyers and access to quality Japanese vehicles.
As part of its expansion strategy, the company is developing a broader suite of services that includes vehicle sourcing, pre-order procurement, vehicle inspection and verification, export logistics, trade documentation, automotive parts sourcing and integration with Japanese auction systems.
One of the company’s key offerings is its pre-order system, which allows customers to specify their preferred vehicle model, variant, manufacturing year, colour, condition and budget before the sourcing process begins.
The approach is designed to help customers secure vehicles that better match their requirements rather than relying solely on available inventory.
JapanCars said its operational presence in Japan, supported by a team comprising mainly Japanese professionals, enables closer engagement with local suppliers, stronger technical assessment capabilities and smoother management of export procedures.
The company is also working towards establishing a digital automotive marketplace that brings together various stakeholders across the industry, including vehicle dealers, importers, exporters, showroom operators, parts suppliers, logistics providers, financial institutions and automotive service providers.
The initiative is aimed at creating a more integrated ecosystem for cross-border automotive trade, enabling transactions to be conducted more efficiently across multiple markets.
Beyond vehicle exports, JapanCars is exploring opportunities in the automotive parts segment through plans to provide greater access to Japanese parts suppliers and online auction platforms.
Among the initiatives being considered is the integration of Japanese automotive parts marketplaces and auction systems, which could allow dealers and vehicle owners to source genuine components directly from Japan.
The company is also advocating for Malaysia to play a larger role in regional automotive trade through its Asean Car Export Reform initiative.
According to JapanCars, Malaysia’s strategic location and established trade connectivity place it in a favourable position to serve as a regional hub for automotive exports to Asean markets, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Looking ahead, the company aims to strengthen its presence across Asia and position itself as a leading cross-border automotive platform in the region.
On said advances in digitalisation are reshaping the way automotive trade is conducted globally, creating opportunities for platforms that can streamline transactions across borders.
"Our mission is to make international automotive trade as simple as purchasing products online.
“We want to broaden access to the global automotive industry while supporting Asia’s role as a centre for cross-border automotive commerce," he said.
