in 1979, however, sharp oil price increases and temporary gasoline shortages caused the U.S. market to shift abruptly toward smaller cars, moved in to fill the new demand. japanses market share soared U.S. output fell, strong political forces in the united states demanded protection for the U.S. industry. U.S. government asked the japanses government to limit its export. the japanses, fearing unilateral U.S. protectionist measures if they did not do so, agreed to limit their sales. the first agreement, in 1981, limited japanses export to the united states to 1.68 million automobiles. a revision raised that total to 1.85 million in 1984 to 1985. in 1985, the agreement was allowed to lapse.