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. japanese 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 japanese government to limit its export. the japanese, fearing unilateral U.S. protectionist measures if they did not do so, agreed to limit their sales. the first agreement, in 1981, limited japanese 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.