News
We've taken off some of our "Around the Yard" videos to save page space. But, please do visit our YouTube page. Click on any of our videos to go to our main YouTube page.
Its been a year since we started the video blog "Around the Yard". We've brought you to exotic locations like Toronto Canada, Nairobi Kenya, Frankfurt Germany, Stonehenge, Doha Qatar, and of course Nagoya Japan. In this video blog Steve discusses some of the highlights to SASTRAD's business since starting the blog a year ago.
While on vacation in the UK, Steve was taking a drive from London to Plymouth. On the way, he suddenly saw a spectacular sight. Steve took time out to document this experience.
At Rikuunkyoku doing a safety inspection on a Japanese domestic vehicle (Honda Stream) for a domestic client. We give you a decent idea of what the safety inspection please looks like (from the outside). Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
Took a trip to Kobe for the day to check out an auction and pick up a Toyota Dyna truck. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
A big typhoon was on its way, so I thought it would be good to video the yard before everything flew away. Fortunately, there was no damage done. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
April 1, 2011
Its been just over 3 weeks since the terrible earthquake in the Tohoku area of Japan. While Nagoya was relatively untouched, the huge losses have hurt all of Japan. Nagoya has not had any issues regarding lack of resources such as gas or electricity. The Nagoya port functions as normal, with some delays in boats arriving.
The Tokyo area is a different story. Within the first week of the earthquake, most auctions in the vicinity were shut down. No inland transportation to and from the auctions was happening. Delivery of goods, to and from the Kanto area (the large Kanto plain is where Tokyo is, as well as Yokohama and Kawasaki) were delayed or just not getting through. As such, many of our shipments were not able to be loaded. As of today, Tokyo was still experiencing rolling blackouts and some transportation services, like trains, were running on less than normal capacity. The mood in Tokyo is of somber resilience. While life is not as it once was, people realize they must carry on and do their best to regain some normality.
SASTRAD KK has offered assistance to several organizations in Nagoya with its resources. If anyone would like to help by donating, please contact us so we can direct you to active relief-effort participants.
Pictures say a thousand words. But in the case of auction photos, we rely on the inspection sheet. This week we'll give you an example of why a photo can fool you. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
It was a nice day and I was down at the Nagoya Port delivering a client's car. I saw this container being loaded and figured it was interesting. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
We were loading a container of mini trucks and some people have asked how we do it. Without giving any trade secrets away (years of trial and error), we show you how we load mini trucks. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
We've uploaded another video. This one helps to explain one method of bidding at auctions. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
UPDATE: Nov 9, 2010 We are now live on YouTube. SASTRAD KK owner Steven Smith has been making a weekly video blog and will be uploading addition video in the next few days. Please check it our SASTRAD YouTube page
UPDATE: 07/09/2010 SASTRAD now has its very own JDM car enthusists working for clients in British Columbia. Mr. Tommy Yim joins SASTRAD's sale staff and is dedicated to sports cars. Tommy's extensive knowledge will better facilitate SASTRAD clients who deal in sports cars. Welcome Tommy!
UPDATE: 07/09/2010 Now its official! SASTRAD has just expanded into 3 important markets; The Philippines, Saint Lucia and Kenya. Owner Steven Smith finished a second tour of Africa in June, and is happy to mention that Kenya is a huge market. Also, The Philippines will be receiving cars from Japan via SASTRAD's sole agent in Manilla, Mr. Ino Marquenez. Saint Lucia will be able to have a SASTRAD representative on the island when Mr. Kervin Velinor starts up in later July. If you would like to reach one these agents, please contact us.
UPDATE: 02/20/2010 SASTRAD owner Steven Smith completed a tour of Africa and the Middle East in order to boost SASTRAD's presence in growing markets. Steven says there is a lot of promise of car sales due to the exit of importers during the financial crisis, and they left their customers without support. SASTRAD hopes to fill the needs of those people.
UPDATE: 05/10/2010 SASTRAD just joined the group: TokyoTomo Japan Travel Guide Your trusted friend in Japan bring you all the travel insights, plus search for tours and reserve your domestic tickets online using TokyoTomo.
UPDATE: 02/10/2010 SASTRAD just joined Used Car Japan, the directory of used Japanese vehicles, information, dealers around the world.
UPDATE: 02/05/2010 SASTRAD just joined Japanese Sport Cars :Site for Japanese Cars Fans.
UPDATE: 02/04/2010 SASTRAD has been seeing an increase in orders for mini trucks like Suzuki, Subaru, Honda, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu, as well as Mitsubishi Delicas to Canada. With the good news of our dealers in the US clearing the way for their importing of mini trucks, SASTRAD will become a large exporter of mini trucks!
UPDATE: 02/01/2010 SASTRAD will be closed Feb 11 for National Holiday (yes, another national holiday)
UPDATE: 01/30/2010 SASTRAD is expanding. More details as they develop.
UPDATE: 12/17/2009 SASTRAD has been building itself up this year to become again one of the leading exporters of mini trucks into the US and Canada. In 2010, a few new projects will happen, as well as a very large expansion plan. SASTRAD will also be taking on new staff in the new year and one will be a familiar face to our long-term clients. SASTRAD will be taking further steps to be the largest exporter of mini trucks into the US, exceeding its Japan-based rival. Curious? More news to follow in early January when plans are finalized.
UPDATE: 12/16/2009 This past year, SASTRAD has seen an increase in non-North America bound vehicles. This in spite of a weeker US dollar and Euro. It appears that many Japanese based exporters have closed due to the downturn in the economy and the fact they all priced their vehicles based on the US dollar. SASTRAD never priced vehicles based on the US dollar. While this meant more expensive vehicles for their clients, SASTRAD stayed above water regardless of how far the US dollar sank. Moreover, SASTRAD actually expanded its client base; perhaps due to fewer exporters in the business.
UPDATE: 04/01/2009 SASTRAD is happy to announce we are now offering our clients the chance to purchase rocketships made in Japan. As the exclusive dealer of the Japanese-made X1A1 rocket, SASTRAD thanks NASA (Nihon Aeronautic and Spacy Agents) for the chance to offer such a unique item that is sure to be a big seller. Steve said "Wow, what a cool thing to be able to offer, but hey, its April fools so is this some sort of a joke?"
UPDATE: 03/11/2009 Steve has been contacting his former clients in countries like UK, Suriname, Malta, Cyprus, Jamaica, Ireland and South Africa. They've been telling him mixed feelings about the economy in their country.
Steve mentions that the prices of shipping as decreased since the summer of 2008, but so has the value of the US dollar, which people seem to base imports on. SASTRAD operates only in Japanese yen, and while the yen remains freakishly strong (don't know why since Japan is in a recession--but banks are healthy) the price of vehicles at auction have dropped.
For any new enquires, Steve is willing to offer a look at the auction site so they can see for themselves. Please contact Steve.
03/10/2009 SASTRAD essaye toujours d'ouvrir les march�s et �vidents sont avec nos clients fran�ais. Puisque Steve a habit� � Montr�al et s'est occup� de l'universit� dans un environnement bilingue, il estime qu'alors que sa capacit� fran�aise n'est pas parfaite, il fera son meilleur pour aider des clients en fran�ais!
