In this short article, we are going to cover the meaning of JDM and the origins of the term, as well as quash some common myths about this popular type of car.Īt Garage Dreams we are massive fans of Japanese cars. There’s a big difference, and we want to help you get it right. We aren’t talking about the “popular” definition, but the real meaning of JDM. a Ford or a Chevrolet).īut what does JDM mean when it comes to cars?

Many think that JDM’s meaning is any Japanese car, as opposed to a “domestic” car (for the American market, e.g. Others might think of the type of cars that were popular in the early Fast and Furious movies. JDM conjures up images of Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and Toyota Supras tearing up the Tokyo expressway, Midnight Club style.

Maybe your friend has invited you over to check out their totally sick new JDM ride, or you’ve been invited to a JDM festival or car meet, or you’ve fallen into the YouTube black hole of JDM videos. If you’ve got any interest in cars (and you probably do – or else how did you stumble across this site!) then you will have likely come across the term JDM – but this is a term that causes a lot of confusion, and in this JDM meaning guide we are going to “set the record straight” on something that many people don’t really understand.