TOPRANK
International Vehicle Importers

(Main Text)

"It all started from a genuine desire. As a Japanese, I wanted to introduce the pride of Japan, the Skyline GT-R, to the American market in the right way. I believe that this passion is what allowed this business to grow as it has," says Yasuka Kosuge of TOPRANK, a company involved in the export-import business of second-generation GT-Rs to the North American market. Kosuge moved to the United States at the age of 21 and has since been deeply involved in the parallel import business connecting cars between the U.S. and Japan. He started handling the export-import of Skylines to North America around 2012, significantly influenced by the "25-year rule" (a regulation allowing the import and registration of cars in the U.S. without meeting stringent new car standards if they are 25 years old, with some state-specific variations).

Before this rule, the second-generation GT-Rs were already popular among enthusiasts. However, once they could officially be registered in the U.S., their popularity surged. "In 2015, I met Toprank, a dealer specializing in imported cars in Japan. Our shared value of accurately conveying the worth of Japanese cars to the world led to the current project. We established a local entity and set up a system for selling and servicing Japanese cars, primarily second-generation Skylines, belonging to the JDM culture. When Skylines first started coming to America, there were issues with some vehicles. Unscrupulous sellers would buy poor-condition cars cheaply at Japanese auctions and sell them in the U.S. without properly disclosing their condition, taking advantage of the lack of established quality standards," Kosuge explains.

Given this situation, TOPRANK took on the basic yet serious mission of "ensuring safe and reliable cars." "I didn't want the image of Japanese cars to be tarnished. As a lifelong car enthusiast, especially one who admired the Skyline GT-R, I wanted to establish its value in America correctly." They created unique inspection and maintenance standards, refusing to deal with any cars that did not meet these criteria, effectively raising the quality level. As a result, TOPRANK has built a reputation for trust and has garnered a loyal customer base.

"With the R32, R33, and R34 models, we’ve even secured early models of the R34, anticipating their eligibility under the 25-year rule, and prepared to ship them to the U.S. once they reach the required age. Toprank's extensive operations in Japan, including sales, servicing, insurance, and rental services, enable us to offer comprehensive support. We have large storage facilities for vehicle preservation, and we even provide rental cars for owners visiting from America to drive their vehicles in Japan."

Earlier this year, many second-generation GT-Rs gathered at Fuji Speedway. Coinciding with the Tokyo Auto Salon, TOPRANK organized a circuit experience for visiting owners, renting the racing course at Fuji Speedway. On a clear winter day with Mount Fuji in the background, the proud expressions of overseas owners driving Japan’s legendary domestic sports cars on one of the country's high-speed courses were unforgettable.

"With the application of the 25-year rule to the R34, all generations of the Skyline GT-R are now officially in America. Our role now is to ensure these cars are delivered in excellent condition and maintained properly. Even if a GT-R wasn't imported by TOPRANK, we are committed to taking care of any with issues, bringing them back to their original glory with the help of trusted specialists in Japan. Despite what might seem like a large production number, the second-generation Skyline GT-Rs are relatively rare. Moving forward, we want to continue connecting this Japanese treasure to enthusiasts worldwide, preserving and enhancing its value."

(Catchphrase)

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"Because the Skyline GT-R is Japan's pride, we want to connect its value correctly to the world."