It always struck me as strange how a country as dedicated to beauty in design as Japan, created so many of the most boring automotive appliances. Usually, when they have really hit one out of the park, they have bothered designs from others, or hired non-japanese in to do the styling.
It is odd, of course, since Japan has a history of beautiful design in so many other areas. SOme of the worlds most beautiful art comes from there.
And here:
Japan has in the past managed to make artistic so many things that others would not even consider:
Making art out of writing:
Or putting beauty where you least expect it:
Lovely furniture design:
As with anything, you have picked up the exceptions.
Does anyone think this was a passionate design on anyones part:
or this:
or this:
No, most Japanese car design is incredibly boring. There are exceptions, which while not boring, are certainly homely. ANd then their are some, like earlier generation Civics that were nigh onto perfect. There have been some improvements in the last little while (I've had that up for the better part of two years now), but I certainly don't see many cars from Japan that will show up at MOMA, for instance.
As far as design from the pacific rim goes, I think the leaders are certainly Korea, specifically Hyundai/Kia. While I don't care for the Hyundai design language of late, I do see that it is modern and dramatic. Just a personal preference thing, as many here (and out there) seem very fond of it. Kia, on the other hand, seems to be producing some very handsome cars indeed.
Just odd how an artistic a culture as Japan kinda chose to let automotive design pass them by.