Tokyo Motor Show 2011: Japanese OEMs (1)
Exhibits of concept cars and production models by passenger car manufacturers
2012/01/06
- Summary
- PHV: Toyota exhibits the Prius PHV, which it will launch in 2012, while Honda, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki showcase PHV concepts
- EV concept car: Toyota exhibits a compact EV to be launched in 2012 while Nissan and Honda showcase an EV sports car
- Ultra-compact EV concept: Nissan exhibits the PIVO 3 with an in-wheel motor while Honda, Suzuki, and Daihatsu showcase commuter EVs
- Fuel cell vehicle concept: Toyota exhibits a sedan version that it aims to launch around 2015
- Mazda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, Subaru, and Toyota exhibit HV concepts and concept cars with internal-combustion engine
- Production models: Toyota and Subaru exhibit the 86/BRZ, a RWD sports car that they jointly developed, while Mazda showcases the CX-5, which has totally adopted SKYACTIV technology
- Fuel-efficient gasoline vehicle: Mitsubishi showcases a global car, the Mirage, while Daihatsu, Suzuki, and Honda exhibit new mini vehicles
Summary
The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show was held for ten days from December 2nd to 11th, 2011 (Press days were on November 30th and December 1st). The venue was transferred to the Tokyo metropolitan area for the first time in 24 years; the Motor Show was held at the Tokyo Big Site for the first time. At the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, which was held after the recession in 2009, no commercial vehicle manufacturers and overseas OEMs participated. At this Motor Show, commercial vehicle manufacturers took part again and overseas OEMs centered on European OEMs exhibited their products, giving life to the Motor Show. The number of visitors during this Motor Show increased by 37% from the 41st Tokyo Motor Show to about 843,000 (announced by the organizer).
The exhibition report has been broken down into five reports - two for Japanese OEMs, overseas OEMs and two for parts suppliers. This is the first report that covers Japanese passenger car manufacturers' concept cars and production models (planned to be launched).
Each of the Japanese OEMs (excluding Mazda) exhibited concept cars of PHVs, EVs, and ultra-compact EVs, which shows that they put strategic priority on electric-powered vehicles. On the other hand, Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ RWD sports car, which is scheduled to be launched in 2012, attracted attention, while Nissan/Honda showcased EV sports car concept; OEMs appear to demonstrate driving pleasure to appeal to the visitors.
Among OEMs, Toyota focuses strategically on every type of vehicles from a fuel cell vehicle, PHV, EV, to HV, including the Fun-Vii concept car, which was called a moving smart phone. On the other hand, the concept cars that Nissan exhibited were all EVs, which show its effort on "zero-emission." Honda unveiled a sports EV concept and a PHV concept and also showcased four concept mini passenger cars.
A noticeable exhibit is Mazda's focus on the internal-combustion engine, particularly on the diesel engine that is not common in Japan. Mazda assumes to use a diesel engine in the concept car (TAKERI), which it unveiled.
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