Japanese to English Car Stereo Conversion

New Zealand imports thousands of used cars from Japan, and most arrive with a Japanese-only head unit or satellite navigation. Car Audios specialises in sorting exactly that: we convert Japanese import stereos and nav systems to English, or replace them entirely with a modern unit.

For many popular imports, the simplest and best-value fix is to replace the Japanese unit with a wireless CarPlay and Android Auto head unit. You get English menus, Google or Apple maps that actually update, and a touchscreen that works with your phone, instead of an outdated Japanese GPS.

Where you want to keep the factory system, we can convert the language and firmware to English on supported models and assess whether an NZ band expander is the right way to receive local FM stations. Tell us your make, model and year and we will explain whether a band expander, conversion or replacement is the smarter option, and the installed price.

Japanese car radios use a different FM frequency range, so an imported stereo may miss New Zealand stations. An NZ band expander shifts the received frequencies and can be a cost-effective way to keep the original radio, although the number shown on the display may not match the station frequency.

A band expander only addresses radio reception. It does not translate Japanese menus, update navigation or add wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. We assess the factory unit and explain whether a band expander, an English conversion or a replacement head unit gives the better result for your car.