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Futuristic concept cars, plug-in hybrids, zero-emission electric
vehicles and even a hydrogen-powered scooter jostled for the
limelight as the Tokyo Motor Show kicked off on Wednesday.
From a super-skinny Nissan electric car that leans when going
around bends, to a lightweight Toyota sports car and a Daihatsu
vehicle with a design based on a basket, Japanese makers showed off
their visions of the future.
While hybrids are still a big feature, electric cars are
competing for attention at this year's show as technological
breakthroughs in rechargeable batteries bring mass-produced zero
emission cars closer to reality.
Foreign makers are almost entirely absent at this year's show,
now dominated by the Japanese makers, which are pinning their hopes
on growing interest in fuel-efficient automobiles to rescue them
from a brutal industry slump.
Toyota, the world's largest automaker, displayed a new version
of its electric concept car, the FT-EV II, as well as a Prius
plug-in hybrid.
The pioneer of hybrids thinks that such vehicles, which have a
petrol engine and an electric motor, will be "the core of the auto
market in the future," said Toyota Motor president Akio Toyoda.
But he added: "Toyota is not limiting itself to
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. The era of reinventing the
automobile is nearly upon us."
Toyota also showed off a new lightweight, concept sports car
inspired by the iconic Corolla AE86 coupe of the 1980s, along with
a Lexus two-seat supercar with a 4.8-litre engine and a price tag
of about 375,000 dollars.
Sales of the Lexus, which is set to go into production next
year, will be limited to just 500 worldwide.
Nissan meanwhile unveiled a concept car that leans to the side
when going around bends. Just 1.1 metres (3 feet 7 inches) wide,
the "Land Glider" seats two people -- one in the front and one in
the back.
Inspired by motorbikes and glider aircraft, it has tilting
wheels that enable it to lean by up to 17 degrees. Nissan says it
may start selling the car if there is enough interest.
It will also put its Leaf plug-in electric car on public display
for the first time at the show, which opens to general visitors
near Tokyo on Saturday and runs until November 4. The mid-sized car
will go on sale in late 2010.
"Leaf will make waves in our industry as the world's first
affordable zero-emission car," Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn
said.
"The time is now for zero emissions. Sustainable mobility is
within our reach. We stand on the threshold of a new era in the
automotive industry."
While Nissan lags behind its bigger rivals in hybrids, it is one
step ahead in electric cars. Toyota has said it aims to launch an
electric car by 2012.
From Honda comes the EV-N, a cute new electric concept car with
a retro look that can store a one-wheel personal mobility device
inside its door.
Fuel cells, which run on hydrogen and emit only water, also make
an appearance at the Tokyo show as Honda and Suzuki put on display
cars powered by the technology.
There is even a fuel-cell scooter and a fuel-cell wheelchair
from Suzuki.
Proponents of hydrogen-powered vehicles argue they are the only
true zero emission technology because fossil fuels are often burned
to generate electricity, particularly in emerging nations like
China and India.
While the high production cost of fuel-cell vehicles poses a
significant challenge, some think they may eventually overtake
plug-in electric cars.
"We believe that the fuel cell electric vehicle will be the
ultimate form for automobiles in the future as it has advantages
such as zero carbon dioxide emissions in use, can travel
considerable distances without refuelling and can be quickly
refuelled," said Honda president Takanobu Ito.
vehicles and even a hydrogen-powered scooter jostled for the
limelight as the Tokyo Motor Show kicked off on Wednesday.
From a super-skinny Nissan electric car that leans when going
around bends, to a lightweight Toyota sports car and a Daihatsu
vehicle with a design based on a basket, Japanese makers showed off
their visions of the future.
While hybrids are still a big feature, electric cars are
competing for attention at this year's show as technological
breakthroughs in rechargeable batteries bring mass-produced zero
emission cars closer to reality.
Foreign makers are almost entirely absent at this year's show,
now dominated by the Japanese makers, which are pinning their hopes
on growing interest in fuel-efficient automobiles to rescue them
from a brutal industry slump.
Toyota, the world's largest automaker, displayed a new version
of its electric concept car, the FT-EV II, as well as a Prius
plug-in hybrid.
The pioneer of hybrids thinks that such vehicles, which have a
petrol engine and an electric motor, will be "the core of the auto
market in the future," said Toyota Motor president Akio Toyoda.
But he added: "Toyota is not limiting itself to
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. The era of reinventing the
automobile is nearly upon us."
Toyota also showed off a new lightweight, concept sports car
inspired by the iconic Corolla AE86 coupe of the 1980s, along with
a Lexus two-seat supercar with a 4.8-litre engine and a price tag
of about 375,000 dollars.
Sales of the Lexus, which is set to go into production next
year, will be limited to just 500 worldwide.
Nissan meanwhile unveiled a concept car that leans to the side
when going around bends. Just 1.1 metres (3 feet 7 inches) wide,
the "Land Glider" seats two people -- one in the front and one in
the back.
Inspired by motorbikes and glider aircraft, it has tilting
wheels that enable it to lean by up to 17 degrees. Nissan says it
may start selling the car if there is enough interest.
It will also put its Leaf plug-in electric car on public display
for the first time at the show, which opens to general visitors
near Tokyo on Saturday and runs until November 4. The mid-sized car
will go on sale in late 2010.
"Leaf will make waves in our industry as the world's first
affordable zero-emission car," Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn
said.
"The time is now for zero emissions. Sustainable mobility is
within our reach. We stand on the threshold of a new era in the
automotive industry."
While Nissan lags behind its bigger rivals in hybrids, it is one
step ahead in electric cars. Toyota has said it aims to launch an
electric car by 2012.
From Honda comes the EV-N, a cute new electric concept car with
a retro look that can store a one-wheel personal mobility device
inside its door.
Fuel cells, which run on hydrogen and emit only water, also make
an appearance at the Tokyo show as Honda and Suzuki put on display
cars powered by the technology.
There is even a fuel-cell scooter and a fuel-cell wheelchair
from Suzuki.
Proponents of hydrogen-powered vehicles argue they are the only
true zero emission technology because fossil fuels are often burned
to generate electricity, particularly in emerging nations like
China and India.
While the high production cost of fuel-cell vehicles poses a
significant challenge, some think they may eventually overtake
plug-in electric cars.
"We believe that the fuel cell electric vehicle will be the
ultimate form for automobiles in the future as it has advantages
such as zero carbon dioxide emissions in use, can travel
considerable distances without refuelling and can be quickly
refuelled," said Honda president Takanobu Ito.
