Will cars made in Japan be radioactive?

[Analog]

Nissan added an ominous paragraph that probably gets to what many motorists are thinking even if they won't say it out loud: Could new cars imported from Japan track in radioactivity?Nissan said it "this week initiated the monitoring of vehicles made in Japan for any traces of radioactive material. Looking ahead, we will continue to implement all appropriate measures to reassure the public that all products from our company remain within globally accepted safety standards and until we are confident that any risk of contamination is completely removed."
At least give Nissan credit for trying to get ahead of the urban myth.


We suspect every Japanese automaker will soon be issuing a statement similar to Nissan's, saying they are checking every car for export for radioactivity or talking about how far their plants are from the damaged reactors. And if you think the radioactivity bugaboo spells trouble for the auto industry, consider what Japanese food producers, like those who prepare famed Kobe beef, could face:


So far, no spikes in radiation are being reported in Japan outside the immediate vicinity of the Fukushima nuclear power complex. It's doubtful there are any major automotive plants within 50 miles of the power station, the safety zone recommended by U.S. authorities. Yet for for some Americans, no risk is better than even the slightest perfection of risk -- and that could dissaude some from buying an imported Japanese car for fear that it is somehow radioactive.


http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/japan-japanese-cars-radioactive/1

 

[Skitzer]

They will be better for night driving. They will have a nice soft glow to them.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I'd be more concerned if the car was shite in by someone.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Given the stupidity of those who start/believe urban myths such as these, I doubt they will stop to research automaker responses before shooting their mouth off.

 

[Squisher]

Better than a Type R sticker

 

[FelixDeCat]

But does radioactivety increase MPG? Thats all I care about.

 

[SooperDave]

 

[DaveSimmons]

Just taking a test drive will give you superhuman size and strength, like New Jersey's own superhero The Toxic Avenger!

 

[punjabiplaya]

Everything is radioactive. The concern is that the levels are unsafe to humans (which it's not unless you're a paranoid Glenn Beck dumbshit worshipper).

 

[BoomerD]

New line for Detroit's advertisers....


"Drive the all-new 2012 Chevy Tsunami...certified radiation-free!"

 

[boomerang]

So far, no spikes in radiation are being reported in Japan outside the immediate vicinity of the Fukushima nuclear power complex. It's doubtful there are any major automotive plants within 50 miles of the power station, the safety zone recommended by U.S. authorities. Yet for for some Americans, no risk is better than even the slightest perfection of risk -- and that could dissaude some from buying an imported Japanese car for fear that it is somehow radioactive.

Top notch journalism right there.

 

[boomerang]

New line for Detroit's advertisers....


"Drive the all-new 2012 Chevy Tsunami...certified radiation-free!"

GM has closed one plant that I know of because of parts shortages from Japan. They may not be able to make that claim.

Of course if this "journalist" in the article decided to do his job and actually research his article, we might know better. And it's not the plant itself, where the raw materials are coming from factors in too. If this catastrophe had occurred in China I'd be really concerned, in Japan - not really.

 

[TridenT]

New line for Detroit's advertisers....


"Drive the all-new 2012 Chevy Tsunami...certified radiation-free!"

Yeah, except a lot of cars that are "made in the USA" actually get a lot of parts from other countries...

If you buy a Toyota you're more likely to get it with parts that are almost all from the USA.

 

[silverpig]

Yes they will be radioactive, but they always were, and so are American and German cars.

 

[BoomerD]

Yeah, except a lot of cars that are "made in the USA" actually get a lot of parts from other countries...

If you buy a Toyota you're more likely to get it with parts that are almost all from the USA.

Wrong. ALL cars contain parts from other countries...Toyota perhaps a bit more so.
Toyota only manufactures a few models in the USA, the rest are imported...and not from Detroit.

 

[TridenT]

Wrong. ALL cars contain parts from other countries...Toyota perhaps a bit more so.
Toyota only manufactures a few models in the USA, the rest are imported...and not from Detroit.

Um, you're agreeing with me. Except it's been proven that Toyota imports less parts than what you could expect for a Ford Mustang.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Um, you're agreeing with me. Except it's been proven that Toyota imports less parts than what you could expect for a Ford Mustang.

It's ok. He's really anti-toyota to begin with so.... no surprise?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Perhaps, but at least you won't need headlights.

 

[Patranus]

You know there are radioactive particles in car exhaust......

 

[BoomerD]

It's ok. He's really anti-toyota to begin with so.... no surprise?

You say that like it's a bad thing...

I'm pro-America...and pro-American worker.

 

[yhelothar]

You say that like it's a bad thing...

I'm pro-America...and pro-American worker.

Oh but the irony is that Toyota is the one who's pro-American worker.

 

[BoomerD]

Oh but the irony is that Toyota is the one who's pro-American worker.

No...Toyota is pro-Toyota...the fact that they have plants in the USA is purely an economic factor...lower shipping costs and by building some cars here, they manage to get buyers who won't buy cars made in Japan.

Contrary to DLeRium's statement, I'm NOT anti-Toyota...but most of their cars "don't fit me...I'm too big and too tall for most of them. (but surprisingly, I (sort of) fit in the 3-door version of the Yaris...but it's not very comfortable for me)