Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will display the concept model of its all-new Insight dedicated hybrid vehicle at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 2–19; Press Days: October 2–3). Honda is introducing the advanced Insight to meet the needs of customers in a new era of widespread demand for hybrid vehicles.

The name Insight was chosen to denote Honda’s “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.

A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback, the new Insight will feature an innovative new platform in which the battery and control unit are located beneath the cargo space for exceptional utility and a light, pleasing driving feel. The new Insight features Honda’s innovative, highly efficient compact hybrid powerplant, in which a gasoline engine serves as the main power source and the electric motor assists when extra power is needed, such as during passing or start-up and acceleration.

The new Insight also features a new driving support function that helps drivers make the most of its exceptional fuel economy to achieve more efficient, environmentally responsible driving.

Thanks to reductions in the weight and size of the Insight’s key components, Honda has also achieved significant cost reductions.

Honda plans to introduce the production version of the all-new Insight to the markets in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009 and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.

At the Paris Motor Show, Honda will also display the FCX Clarity, its fuel cell automobile that offers the ultimate in clean performance, producing absolutely no CO₂ emissions in operation; and a design study model of the CR-Z lightweight sports hybrid vehicle, scheduled to be released in the near future.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4080904All-New-Insight/

Technorati tags:

Hybrid Vehicles, Car Buyers

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the development of the world’s first inverter using SiC (Silicon Carbide) diodes for vehicle use. The company has launched tests using an X-TRAIL FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) equipped with this technology.

Inverters on electric-powered vehicles control the electricity coming from the power source, and their size has often set limitations on vehicle layout. The newly developed inverter uses SiC for the diodes - a semiconductor device used to control the flow of current in a single direction - and employs a new Nissan-developed heterojunction diode (HJD)*1 structure. Together the SiC diode and HJD structure reduce the overall size and weight of the inverter and dramatically improve its reliability.

Previous silicon diodes used in electric-powered vehicles created power losses and required heat dissipation countermeasures. The newly developed SiC diode*2 provides high power efficiency with improved heat resistance and reliability to create a high breakdown voltage, large capacity inverter. The new SiC inverter’s diode surface has been reduced by 70% and the circuit energy efficiency has been improved by 20% in comparison to previous diodes. The simplification of the system’s cooling mechanisms allows for further reductions in the size and weight of the inverter by 15% to 20%.

The new SiC diode technology is not limited to fuel cell vehicles, but can also be applied to the electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) currently under development by Nissan. At Nissan, the inverter is regarded as one of the key technologies in electric-powered vehicle development along with the motor and the battery. The company aims to further reduce the inverter size by employing SiC diodes on the transistor.

Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, the company will continue to introduce new technologies, products and services that can lead to real-world reductions in vehicle CO2 emissions, cleaner emissions, and recycling of resources.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080905-02-e.html

Technorati tags:

Electric Powered Vehicles, SiC Inverter

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of a new clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT,” which goes on sale September 18 at Nissan dealers nationwide. The new X-TRAIL 20GT has met Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations”1 – the first vehicle in the world to do so2.

X-TRAIL 20GT

SHIFT_challenging spirit.

Setting New Standards The X-TRAIL 20GT achieves high fuel-efficiency of 15.2km/L under Japan’s 10-15 test mode operation, representing an increase of approximately 30% in fuel economy over a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with the same power output. In addition to its low fuel consumption, the X-TRAIL’s new “M9R” clean diesel engine is more economical to operate, due to the lower price of diesel versus standard gasoline in the Japan market.

In addition to complying with Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations” emission standards which stresses high environmental performance, the new M9R clean diesel engine also achieves high levels of driving performance demanded by X-TRAIL owners.

The 2.0-liter M9R engine has the power equivalency of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, generating maximum power of 127kW(173PS)/3750rpm and maximum torque of 360N・m(36．7kgf・m)/2000rpm. The engine provides high torque at low rpm and delivers ample performance in any driving situation. At the same time, the environmentally–friendly and fuel-efficient M9R engine emits far lower CO2 than a comparable 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine, achieving excellent emissions performance. The engine design also emphasizes smooth, quiet operation, eliminating unpleasant noise and vibration associated with current diesel powerplants.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080904-02-e.html

Technorati tags:

Nissan dealers, Gasoline Engine

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) and Marubeni Corporation (Marubeni) have jointly invested in a sales company “Hino Motors Sales India Private Ltd.” (Hino India Sales) which was established on August 26, 2008 in Mumbai, India.

The economy in India has been developing rapidly since the liberalization of its economy in recent years. The demand for trucks has also been swiftly increasing due to the prevailing upward trend in building, construction, and resource developments during India’s rapid modernization. Hino and Marubeni will use Hino India Sales in order to advance into the truck and bus markets in India, a part of rapidly growing BRICs. The joint venture company will begin sales of the “Hino 500 Series” from the middle of 2009, which is Hino’s main sales model in the overseas market. The company also plan to introduce the “Hino 700 Series”, “Hino 300 Series”, and their buses within a few years time.

Source: http://www.hino-global.com/news_release/112.html

Technorati tags:

Truck and Bus

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and PT. Nissan Motor Indonesia will present the “NISSAN TECHNOLOGY SQUARE” event at the Kelapa Gading Mall in Jakarta, Indonesia. The public automotive technologies showcase opens today and runs through August 25.

Indonesia is the second market where we hold this event. After completing its run in Indonesia, the Nissan Technology Square will visit several cities in multiple markets, including Singapore, Malaysia and India, etc.

At the Nissan Technology Square, Nissan will showcase how the company’s automotive technologies address the environment, safety and innovation. Visitors can experience examples of Nissan’s innovation and the future of automobiles through the exhibition, interactive displays and demonstrations.

Nissan chose PIVO2, an environmentally focused, electric urban commuter, as a key communications character for the event. First presented as one of the key concept vehicles at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the vehicle embodies “friendly innovation” to create a new car-driver relationship. As such, PIVO2 serves as an ideal focal point for the Nissan Technology Square, where a quarter scale model of the vehicle will be displayed.

“All of our technologies promise consumers the pleasure of driving based on trust in our environmental, safety and quality technologies — what we call “Trusted Driving Pleasure,” said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan Executive Vice President. “We hope to deliver our passion for products through the real-world technologies and innovations we build into every Nissan vehicle.”

As part of Nissan’s commitment to supporting education, the event will be held in collaboration with local schools. Hideyuki Sakamoto, Nissan Corporate Vice President, will visit and talk with students about automotive technology, Nissan’s technical development activities and the latest technologies.

The Nissan Technology Square is part of the company’s ongoing communications outreach across Asia, which started with the successful Design Forum in 2007.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080819-01-e.html

Technorati tags:

Nissan Vehicles, Automobiles

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil the new Pajero Sport^*1 SUV at the Moscow Auto Salon 2008 (The Moscow Motor Show) to be held at the Crocus Expo in Moscow between August 26 and September 7 (opens to the public on August 29). Mitsubishi Motors will display a total of 15 models at the show. Joining the Pajero Sport on stand will be concept cars including the MITSUBISHI Concept-RA^*2 sport coupe concept, the MITSUBISHI Concept-cX^*3 compact SUV concept, and the MITSUBISHI Concept-ZT^*4 which truly is the embodiment of Mitsubishi Motors’ three key value of Driving Pleasure, Safety and Environmental Responsibility - as well as the fast-selling Lancer^*5 sport sedan.

Pajero Sport

*1   Montero Sport in South America, Nativa in Latin America and Challenger in Australia.
*2 Road Alive
*3 Compact + X (cross) over
*4 Z (ultimate) + T (tourer)
*5 Galant Fortis in Japan

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1817.html

Technorati tags:

Mitsubishi Motors, Pajero Sport

Eighth consecutive month of growth is also best-ever for Impreza lineup

(MISSISSAUGA) - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce that it set an all-time monthly sales record in July. Total sales of 2,002 units were up 62.2 percent over last July, and beat the previous record, set in April of this year, by 32 units. It was the eighth consecutive month of sales growth for SCI.

It was also a best-ever month for the Impreza lineup, as Canadians bought 1,012 of these affordable performance vehicles, a 95.7 percent improvement over the same month last year. Forester also made a significant contribution to the company’s success in July, with 659 units beating last July’s sales by 145.0 percent.

“My congratulations to everyone at SCI and our dealerships for making sure car buyers know a Subaru is a great choice, especially when gas prices are high and purchasing dollars must stretch as far as possible,” said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of SCI. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that Subaru offers vehicles that are fuel-efficient, versatile and safe-without giving up exhilarating performance. Now is the time when that strategy will pay off for Subaru and consumers alike.”

Source: http://www.subaru-global.com/news2008n000850.html

Technorati tags:

Subaru Vehicles

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that orders for the new Mazda Biante minivan were more than double the sales target in its first month of sales. Orders have surpassed 6,000 units since the Biante was launched in Japan on July 8, 2008.

Mazda Biante 20S
(FWD model with 2.0-liter direct injection engine, five-speed automatic transmission and factory-installed options)

To date, 90 percent of orders have been for models equipped with the 2.0-liter direct injection engine. Approximately 65 percent of customers have opted for the 20S grade, followed by 26 percent who chose the 20CS grade and 9 percent who selected the 23S. While most customers who selected the Biante have families and are in their 30s and 40s, orders have been placed by a wide range of people. Customer feedback indicates that the main reasons for choosing the Biante are its exterior design, spacious interior^*1 and quiet cabin. The flexible seat arrangements that include a ‘living mode’ (which enables the seats to be adjusted backwards to maximize interior space), the excellent dynamic stability, and the Biante’s affordability (due to regular gasoline being the recommended fuel^*2) were also highlighted.
The most popular exterior colors have been the featured Lilac Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black and Crystal White Pearl Mica, which together make up 70 percent of orders. The most preferred factory-installed options have been the power sliding doors with leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, selected by 90 percent of customers; the Clean Air package^*3, chosen by 70 percent of customers; and the Comfort package^*4, chosen by 60 percent of customers.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2008/200808/080818.html

Technorati tags:

Mazda Biante Minivan, Injection Engines

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) has decided to establish a new truck manufacturing company, “HINO MOTORS MANUFACTURING MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.” (HMMM) in Guanajuato, United Mexican States (Mexico) through a joint venture with MITSUI & CO., LTD. (Mitsui).

Moreover, after Hino has entered the Mexican market and started marketing its “HINO 300 Series” *1 since August of last year through “HINO MOTORS SALES MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.” (HIMEX), a sales company established by Mitsui, it will strive to increase its sales volume and position Hino’s brand more strongly in Mexico by introducing a new product, “HINO 500 Series” *2 at this time.

Hino aims at reinforcing price competitiveness by implementing logistic cost reductions and preferential tariff arrangements, and by manufacturing (assembling) the newly marketed “HINO 500 Series” locally, at the new plant.

Furthermore, seizing this opportunity to establish a new manufacturing company and expand its product range, Hino also will make its capital investment in the sales company, HIMEX, in order to further strengthen its business in Mexico and generate a synergistic effect with its manufacturing and sales organizations.

Source: http://www.hino-global.com/news_release/108.html

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) has relocated its used vehicle business operations from Mizuho-machi, Nishi-Tama-gun, Tokyo to Hidaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture, transferring the headquarters and used vehicle center of its used vehicle business subsidiary, Hino U-Truck, Ltd. (HUT), in order to increase the number of used vehicles in its stock and its supply volume.

The primary objectives of Hino’s used vehicle center are, a) to stock a large volume of vehicles for retail sales and b) to allow its domestic sales company to easily procure trucks and buses in order to fully comply with their customers’ requests.

As it has been anticipated that the demand of new vehicles may be reduced in Japan, Hino opened its used vehicle center in Kobe as an outlet for the Kansai Area in December 2006, with a view to expanding it as one of Hino’s core businesses. Although two outlets have been created, including the Mizuho Used Vehicle Center for the Kanto area, as the scale of the Mizuho Used Vehicle Center which could stock approximately 120 units was relatively small to cover the whole Kanto area in which the scale of the used vehicle market and the supply volume were large, the number of vehicles in stock was increased to approximately 300 units by relocating it to Hidaka-shi.

The relocation to Hidaka Used Vehicle Center at this time enables Hino to increase the supply volume of used vehicles to its sales company, and allows its customers to easily select a desirable used trucks and buses.

Source: http://www.hino-global.com/news_release/107.html

Technorati tags:

Used Trucks & Buses, Mizuho Used Vehicle