Everyone should blame Mercedes-Benz

LOS ANGELES—Experts are referring to it as the biggest turbo tourism crisis since the Fast & Furious franchise went to space—the United States has seen its steepest drop in tourism from Australia after many realized they have way more GT-Rs than we do.

“We were all set to do the California car scene,” said Aussie traveler Dean McPherson, wiping his sunglasses on a Momo steering wheel cover. “Then we landed, hit a few meets, and realized: mate, where are the R34s? Where’s the R33s? Why is everyone driving Porsches into trees?”

The revelation has hit U.S. tourism hard, especially in car-centric states like California, Florida, and wherever someone’s dragging a cambered Miata through the highway shoulder. According to the Department of Transportation, 2025 has seen a 46% drop in Australian tourists, many of whom were previously drawn in by dreams of an impressive car culture.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Diane Ramirez of the SoCal Visitor Bureau. “They used to come in droves, wearing board shorts and saying ‘oi’ at cars. Now? They get off the plane, spot a sad R35, shrug—and turn right back around.”

Car experts say the imbalance is real. Due to differing import laws, Australia currently enjoys a surplus of right-hand-drive GT-Rs from the golden age of Japanese performance, while America remains trapped in the 25-year waitlist system that everyone should blame on Mercedes-Benz—where a car has to age like moldy cheese before it's legal to register in South Dakota.

“It’s like going to a steakhouse and being told you can only look at the meat if it was frozen in 1998,” said import specialist Marcos Gutierrez. “Meanwhile, Aussies are just out there daily driving R34s to get groceries.”

The U.S. tried to respond by parading a few GT-Rs at a sanctioned Cars & Coffee event, but the attempt backfired when it was revealed two of the cars were just V6 Altimas with badges—and the only real one was state-ref’d and impounded.

“I knew it was over when a dude from Sydney walked past an R35 and muttered, ‘That’s not even the fun one,’” said event organizer Chris Hwang. “He was right. That’s not Godzilla.”

As for the Australians? Most are reportedly staying home, where the GT-Rs are plentiful, the roads are twisty, and Supras are also available. The good Supras.

The U.S. may still have more fast food, but for now, Australia has better cars—and the tourists are following the boost.