Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for both for March 2008 and the 2007 fiscal year.March 2008

Production: total and in Japan
Total global production came in at 137,910 units, a decline of 1.9 percent over March Last year and marking the first monthly decrease since February last year. Production volume in Japan at 93,558 units was up 8.5 percent, the 18th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and marking a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven by a 32.4 percent increase in output (31,345 units) of the new Lancer for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets and by a 19.5 percent increase in output (18,647 units) for export shipments of the new Outlander which continues to sell briskly in European and Chinese markets.
Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in March totaled 32,317 units, a 16.0 percent decrease year-on-year. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 25,182 units and commercial vehicle sales of 7,135 units were 17.1 percent and 11.6 percent down respectively on the same month last year. Total registered vehicle sales were 13.8 percent down year-on-year despite strong showings by the Lancer Evolution X, and the Galant Fortis, new additions to the lineup since August last year. Total mini-car sales volume was 17.2 percent down despite an 17.6 percent increase in Pajero Mini sales.
Production overseas
Overseas production volume totaled 44,352 units, 18.4 percent down over March last year.
Export shipments from Japan
Total exports from Japan of 74,787 units were 25.0 percent up on March 2007, marking the 17th consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports to Asia showed a healthy 14.6 percent rise over the same period last year thanks mainly to firm sales of the new Outlander in China. Exports to Europe of 37,464 units were a very strong 77.6 percent up on March 2007 and a record for the month since the 2003 spin off of the company’s truck and bus operations. This surge was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraina and Central European markets.
2007 Fiscal Year (April ‘07 - March ‘08)

Production: total and in Japan
Total global production in fiscal 2007 came in at 1,431,216 units, an increase of 8.8 percent over fiscal 2006 and the first rise in volume in two years. Production volume in Japan at 875,698 units was up 12.9 percent, the third consecutive year of growth since fiscal 2005 and marking a new record for the fiscal year since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven mainly by a 107.7 percent increase in output (170,084 units) of the new Outlander for export to European and Chinese markets and by a 31.2 percent rise in output of the new Lancer destined for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets.
Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in fiscal 2007 totaled 218,632 units, 11.3 percent down over fiscal 2006. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 164,044 units and commercial vehicle sales of 54,588 units were 8.7 percent and 18.2 percent down respectively on last year. Total registered vehicle sales at 83,551 units were 10.1 percent up, due primarily to the new Galant Fortis and Lancer Evolution X introduced during fiscal 2007 as well as to firm sales of the Delica D:5 launched in fiscal 2006. Total mini-car sales were 20.8 percent down for the year.
Production overseas
Overseas production volume in fiscal 2007 totaled 555,518 units, an increase of 2.8 percent over last year and the first yearly increase since fiscal 2002. This was attributable mainly to a 10.2 percent production increase to 358,154 units in Asia reflecting the rise in export shipments of the L200 pickup truck from Thailand, the boost in production at Proton and KRM (P.T. Mitsubishi Krama Yudha Motors & Manufacturing) accompanying the market recovery in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively and higher production at China Motor Corp. in Taiwan.
Export shipments from Japan
Total exports from Japan in fiscal 2007 of 614,444 units were 38.5 percent up on the previous year, the third consecutive year of growth and a new fiscal year record since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports shipments of 42,980 units to Asia showed a strong 36.6 percent rise over last year helped by the introduction of the new Outlander in China. Export shipments to Europe of 257,221 units were a very strong 74.7 percent up on fiscal 2006. This rise was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraina and Central European markets. Exports to North America at 59,920 units were 14.4 percent down, attributable to market conditions in the second half of the fiscal year.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1762.html

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) has decided to put its “HINO 300 Series” light-duty trucks into the Vietnamese market. The company recently began selling the trucks, which are known in Japan as Hino Dutro, through its production and sales subsidiary, Hino Motors Vietnam, Ltd. (Hino Vietnam).

In recent years, the market for new trucks and buses in Vietnam has been rapidly expanding. This is due to an increase in the volume of commodity distributions fuelled by the Vietnamese economic boom alongside a growth in demand for new vehicles resulting from tighter restrictions on used vehicle imports.

Since the establishment of Hino Vietnam in 1996, Hino has sold heavy and medium-duty trucks and large and medium-sized buses, achieving great popularity among the company’s Vietnamese customers. By adding light-duty trucks into the market, Hino is making an effort to strengthen its operations in this growing market. The company aims to sell 3,000 units (including 800 light-duty trucks) in fiscal 2008, a twofold increase over the previous fiscal year.

Hino will keep offering the most suitable products and services for each country and region to meet the needs of customers all over the world, and plans to further expand its global operations.

Profile of Hino Vietnam:

- Company name: Hino Motors Vietnam, Ltd. (Hino Vietnam)
- Location (Headquarters/Plant): Hanoi City, Vietnam
- Established: June 1996
- Capital: 8,111,000 U.S. dollars
- Ratio of capital contribution: Hino Motors 51%, VINAMOTOR 33%,Sumitomo Corporation 16%
- Business: Production and sales of Hino Trucks and Buses, sales of repair parts
- Number of employees: About 100 (as of the end of March 2008)
- Annual sales volume (local sales): 1,566 units (FY 2007 Results)3,000 units (FY 2008 Projection)

Source: http://www.hino.co.jp/e/pressrelease/detail.php?id=99

(MISSISSAUGA) - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) today announced strong March sales of its lineup of Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive vehicles, for a fourth consecutive month of sales growth. Subaru dealers sold a total of 1,639 vehicles during March, up 4.3 percent over last year.

Impreza, Forester and Tribeca all made major contributions to the lineup’s sales success. Compared to the same month last year, Impreza sales rose 8.7 percent, Forester was up 10.8 percent, and sales of the redesigned Tribeca increased by 40.8 percent.

“It’s been a tough winter in many parts of Canada, but we believe it’s actually had a beneficial effect for Subaru,” said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, chairman, president and CEO of SCI. “The reputation of our All-Wheel Drive lineup for allowing people to get on with their lives, even when the roads are snow-covered or slippery, has clearly encouraged more people to give Subaru a try. This is excellent news for us, because once drivers have experienced a Subaru, they tend to stay loyal to the brand.”

Source: http://www.subaru-global.com/news2008n000825.html

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) has decided to put its “HINO 300 Series” light-duty trucks into the Vietnamese market. The company recently began selling the trucks, which are known in Japan as Hino Dutro, through its production and sales subsidiary, Hino Motors Vietnam, Ltd. (Hino Vietnam).

In recent years, the market for new trucks and buses in Vietnam has been rapidly expanding. This is due to an increase in the volume of commodity distributions fuelled by the Vietnamese economic boom alongside a growth in demand for new vehicles resulting from tighter restrictions on used vehicle imports.

Since the establishment of Hino Vietnam in 1996, Hino has sold heavy and medium-duty trucks and large and medium-sized buses, achieving great popularity among the company’s Vietnamese customers. By adding light-duty trucks into the market, Hino is making an effort to strengthen its operations in this growing market. The company aims to sell 3,000 units (including 800 light-duty trucks) in fiscal 2008, a twofold increase over the previous fiscal year.

Hino will keep offering the most suitable products and services for each country and region to meet the needs of customers all over the world, and plans to further expand its global operations.

Profile of Hino Vietnam:

- Company name: Hino Motors Vietnam, Ltd. (Hino Vietnam)
- Location (Headquarters/Plant): Hanoi City, Vietnam
- Established: June 1996
- Capital: 8,111,000 U.S. dollars
- Ratio of capital contribution: Hino Motors 51%, VINAMOTOR 33%,Sumitomo Corporation 16%
- Business: Production and sales of Hino Trucks and Buses, sales of repair parts
- Number of employees: About 100 (as of the end of March 2008)
- Annual sales volume (local sales): 1,566 units (FY 2007 Results)3,000 units (FY 2008 Projection)

Source: http://www.hino.co.jp/e/pressrelease/detail.php?id=99

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that production has begun at the new motorcycle plant it has constructed within the property of Honda’s Kumamoto Factory.

The new plant was built with the concept of a “people-friendly and environmentally-responsible plant” and emphasis on “light, wind and water.” Employing Honda’s state-of-the-art high efficiency production technologies, the new plant will serve as the global leader of Honda’s motorcycle production operations around the world. In addition, Honda sought to reduce any impact on the surrounding environment, as the plant is located near the base of Mt. Aso, as well as achieve a further improvement of the work environment. The plant employs environmental initiatives from various perspectives, including the installation of a solar panel system and utilization of natural light. As a result, the new plant is built as a “green factory” which will achieve a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the existing motorcycle plant at Kumamoto Factory.

While maximizing use of existing facilities and equipment, new equipment and technologies have been introduced based on the ideas of Honda production associates, such as automatic lifts and lift assist devices, that help associates in processes involving heavy components. Through these measures, the new plant achieves ergonomic improvements in production processes and a better work environment, as well as improved production flexibility.

Further, the motorcycle production line from the existing motorcycle plant at Kumamoto Factory gradually will be transferred to the new plant, with the transfer expected to be completed before the end of 2008. Motorcycle engine production will also be transferred to this new plant from Honda’s Hamamatsu Factory before the end of 2009.

Once the process of consolidating motorcycle production is complete, the new plant is scheduled to produce a full range of motorcycles from the 50cc model, such as Super Cub to medium and large-sized motorcycle models.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080414Motorcycle-Plant-Kumamoto-Factory/

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle will serve as the official car of the 2008 Indy Japan event (2008 IRL IndyCar Series 3rd race: Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile) to be held at Twin Ring Motegi in Tochigi, Japan, April 17-19.

Since 2007, all IRL IndyCar series racers run on low environmental impact 100% ethanol fuel. Scheduled for release in the U.S. in the summer and in Japan in the autumn of this year, the FCX Clarity runs on hydrogen and emits no CO2 or other environmentally harmful emissions in operation, making it an ideal vehicle for the event. The fuel cell vehicle emits only water and is regarded as the ultimate environmentally responsible vehicle.

The FCX Clarity is powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack. Boasting a low-slung, dynamic and sophisticated appearance made possible by the innovative layout of the fuel cell power plant, the FCX Clarity offers superior design and driving performance as well as environmental responsibility.

Among other duties, the FCX Clarity official car will act as a pace car at the start, leading the 18 race cars participating in the Indy Japan event, and will be on display inside the Twin Ring Motegi paddock.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4080416FCX-Clarity/

A scale model of Nissan’s highly distinctive Pivo electric concept and several other of the company’s environmental technologies will be showcased at the “The Science of Survival” exhibition which opens Saturday April 5 at the prestigious Science Museum in London.

The thought-provoking and interactive exhibition explores how our lives could be affected by environmental changes and resource availability by 2050. The exhibition was developed in consultation with scientists and researchers and is co-sponsored by Nissan.

Throughout the exhibition, innovative objects gathered from around the world and fun, hands-on games and design activities enable visitors to explore how science and technology could be used to help us live more sustainably.

The quarter scale Pivo will be on display in the “Moving” area of the exhibition where visitors can discover new vehicle fuels for the future including electricity, hydrogen and biofuels made from plants. The zero-emission concept, which features a fully rotating cabin eliminating the need to reverse, was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005.

Also on display in the same area - Nissan’s compact laminated Lithium-ion Battery for electric vehicles, its Super Motor and part of a resin outer body panel. Super Motor offers greater power in a smaller packaging compared with conventional motors and has application potential for electric vehicles, as well as gasoline/electric hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. The resin outer body panel demonstrates how use of lighter body material could help save fuel in the future.

The Science of Survival” concept complements the Nissan Green Program 2010 which is focused on three core areas related to the environment: reducing CO2 emissions from Nissan’s products and activities around the world, reducing other exhaust emissions and accelerating recycling efforts.

The five-year exhibition is expected to visit 20 venues around the world and welcome about 4 million visitors.

Founded in 2005, “The Science of…” is a partnership between The Science Museum, London and Fleming Media of the UK. Its two previous exhibitions, “The Science of Spying” and “The Science of Aliens,” are well recognized for their innovative and creative approach to learning.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080402-05-e.html

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that, effective July 1, 2008, it plans to integrate nine affiliated parts sales companies, selected from 13 parts companies which currently service the Japanese market. The plan for the newly-formed company, Mazda Parts Company Limited, is part of sales enhancement measures for the Japanese market that were set out in Mazda’s mid-term plan, the Mazda Advancement Plan.

The nine sales companies to be integrated into the new company are: Mazda Parts Sales Hokkaido Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Sales Tohoku Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Kanto Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Sales Nagano Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Sales Niigata Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Kinki Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Sales Higashi-Chugoku Co., Ltd., Mazda Parts Sales Nishi-Shikoku Co., Ltd., and Mazda Parts Kyushu Co., Ltd.

Kozo Kawakami, executive officer and general manager of Mazda’s Customer Service Division, said, “By establishing Mazda Parts Co., Ltd., we intend to build a better parts supply structure with optimized operations for the entire Mazda group. The new company will enable meticulous and faster responses to customers for improved customer service.”

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2008/200804/080402.html

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has received an order for a top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) generating system with a capacity of 22,020 kW from the Brazilian steel company Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN). The system is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2009.

The TRT generating system is driven by the exhaust gas pressure generated from the steelworks’ blast furnace and converted into electricity using a turbine. In addition to energy savings, noise is reduced when gas passes through the turbine. Because of the system’s environmentally friendly features, TRT generating systems have been adopted for all large blast furnaces in Japan.

Kawasaki’s TRT generating system is unique in that it doesn’t rely on a conventional governing valve to control the blast furnace’s top pressure, instead employing the turbine’s variable stator blades. This method does not control the gas flow rate from the blast furnace by adjusting the valves, but adopts a method that continuously adjusts the angle of the blades. This enables efficient, low-noise generation with minimal energy loss, even when the gas flow rate and pressure from the blast furnace change.

In Brazil, demand for power has recently risen considerably, leading steel plants to introduce their own power sources for electricity supplies. The order for a TRT generating system from CSN reflects this shift in Brazil’s socioeconomic status.

Kawasaki has already sold 41 TRT generating systems around the world, demonstrating their high reputation. In Brazil, the systems have been delivered to CST (capacity: 20,000 kW), Gerdau Açominas (11,340 kW) and Usiminas (18,800 kW).

Source: http://www.khi.co.jp/ba/2008data/ba_c3080225_1.html

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., announced today that cumulative sales of the Tiida compact car (North American name: Versa), topped one million in March 2008. This milestone comes just three and a half years after the Tiida was launched on September 30, 2004.

The Tiida was initially launched in the Japanese market in September 2004, followed by a rollout to the general overseas markets including China in 2005 with subsequent launches in North America and Europe in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The Tiida has garnered high ratings due to its spacious and modern interior, impressive driving performance and high fuel efficiency which surpasses other vehicles in its class.

Following a freshening to the Japan-market models on January 28, 2008, orders for the Tiida and Tiida Latio exceeded the monthly sales target set for the first two months after launch by more than 250% – the monthly target for both models was 4,300, versus actual orders of over 21,540 units – and sales remain strong. Furthermore, the Tiida and Tiida Latio were relaunched in China following product changes in November 2007, where sales have remained steady at 12,000 units per month on average. The Tiida was named China’s “Car of the Year” in 2006, reinforcing its success and popularity in the Chinese market.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080402-02-e.html