Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has begun production of the new FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, with the first vehicle (U.S. specification) coming off the line. In conjunction with the line-off event, media were allowed to view a number of the new production processes.

The FCX Clarity is produced at the Honda Automobile New Model Center (Takanezawa-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi Prefecture). A new dedicated fuel cell vehicle assembly line was established, which includes processes unique to a fuel cell vehicle such as the installation of the fuel cell stack and hydrogen tank. The fuel cell stack itself is produced at Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. (Haga-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture). In manufacturing fuel cells, exclusively designed automated equipment was introduced to ensure quality of the highest precision while enabling mass production of cells, with several hundred cells required for each fuel cell stack. Through these initiatives, Honda is making steady progress in the area of fuel cell vehicle production, in addition to fuel cell and fuel cell vehicle technologies, thereby moving closer to realizing its goal to achieve more widespread use of fuel cell vehicles.

The FCX Clarity was designed from scratch as a dedicated fuel cell vehicle. It 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. Lease sales are scheduled to begin in July in the U.S. and this fall in Japan. The combined sales plan for Japan and the U.S. calls for a few dozen units within a year and about 200 units within three years. Additionally, the FCX Clarity will be exhibited at the Environmental Showcase in the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit to begin July 7, as one of a group of advanced environmental technologies.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4080616New-FCX-Clarity/

Technorati tags:

Honda, Japanese Vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil, for the first time at an international motor show, the Lancer Sportback at the Le Mondial de l’Automobile 2008 (Paris Motor Show 2008) being held in Halls 1-8 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from October 2 (October 4 for the general public) through October 19. The Lancer Sportback will have its European launch this fall with a phased introduction into the various countries in the region.

*1 Named the Galant Fortis in Japan

Lancer Sportback (Europe spec.)

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will provide its new fuel cell vehicle, FCX Clarity, as well as Civic Hybrid and other advanced technologies for the Hokkaido Toyako Summit to be held July 7-9, 2008.

Honda decided to participate in support of the Japanese government’s effort to showcase the most advanced environmental technologies at this Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

In addition to providing environmentally-responsible vehicles, Honda is to exhibit its advanced environmental technologies including the CIGS^(*) thin film solar cells, of which Honda began mass production and sales in 2007, as well as the Honda FC Stack, which is installed in FCX Clarity.

Moreover, Honda plans to demonstrate ASIMO at the Environmental Showcase (which will be located within the International Media Center, IMC, for exhibitions and demonstrations of Japan’s environmental technologies.)

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080610Hokkaido-Toyako-Summit/

Technorati tags:

Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle, Japanese Vehicles

Honda has announced the world’s first electronically-controlled “Combined ABS” for Super Sport motorcycles, aimed at combining ABS and CBS systems into one system that applies the basic advantages of both, while specifically addressing the requirements of a Super Sport context.

Combined ABS equipped prototype

In order to achieve this, the particular characteristics of Super Sport bikes, such as short wheelbase, are taken into account. The system also operates without interference to sports riding, and with an emphasis on maintaining full rider control.

The system consists of an electronically controlled combined “brake by wire” system with an innovative stroke simulator. Direct motor control ensures precise operation of the ABS. The components are divided into several smaller units so there are more, but smaller units than in previous systems.

All the basic ABS and CBS functions are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance and easy operation. This is achieved without any compromise to stability during ABS operation. Pitching is minimised so that the bike keeps its normal position. Overall, sport riding performance is uninterrupted - cornering feel remains the same and controllability is enhanced.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080610Hokkaido-Toyako-Summit/

Technorati tags:

Honda, Japanese Sport bikes

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (STM), TMC’s engine production base in Thailand, will build a new plant to boost its annual diesel engine production capacity by 150,000 units in 2010.

The new plant, to be built on STM’s current premises, will give STM an annual diesel engine production capacity of 350,000 units, up from 200,000 units. Including gasoline engines, STM will have an overall production capacity of 650,000 engines a year.

STM President Shigeru Murai announced the expansion at a joint press conference with Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (Toyota’s vehicle production base in Thailand) in Bangkok, attended by Thai government officials.

As a global production and supply base for the Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) Project, begun in 2004, STM provides diesel engines to IMV-producing countries. In 2007, STM produced 229,000 diesel engines, of which 72,000 were exported to six countries, including India and ASEAN member countries.

The STM expansion is to meet increasing demand for the IMV series, which is popular in various regions around the world, and will be backed by an additional investment of approximately 17.3 billion yen (approx. 5.4 billion baht). The new plant is expected to create approximately 700 jobs.

The Toyota IMV Project is aimed at creating a worldwide optimal production and supply network. Currently, the IMV series consists of three types of pickup truck, a minivan and an SUV.

Source: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/0610_2.html

Technorati tags:

Toyota Vehicle engines, Toyota Gasoline Engines, Japanese Diesel Engines

Honda has announced the world’s first electronically-controlled “Combined ABS” for Super Sport motorcycles, aimed at combining ABS and CBS systems into one system that applies the basic advantages of both, while specifically addressing the requirements of a Super Sport context.

Technorati tags:

Honda,  Japanese Sport bikes

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it will showcase the X-TRAIL diesel prototype at the 2008 Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in Hokkaido*1 (June 19-21) as well at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit’s International Media Center (July 7-9). Nissan’s participation supports the focus on environmental issues at the G8 Summit meetings.

X-TRAIL Clean Diesel Prototype

M9R Diesel Engine

Japan is slated to introduce its new emission regulatory standards, referred to as ‘‘Post New Long-term Regulations’’, by October, 2009*2. Ahead of its implementation, Nissan plans to introduce the X-TRAIL diesel in September this year, which will meet with the more stringent standards.

The G8 Summit offers an ideal platform for Nissan to showcase its latest clean diesel technology, as delegates and members of the media will have the opportunity to test drive the product and see related technology exhibits.

Based on the M9R diesel engine co-developed with Alliance-partner Renault, the Nissan version on the X-TRAIL employs advanced technologies to deliver high torque and powerful acceleration, in addition to improved fuel-economy while meeting the demands for cleaner emission standards globally.

The clean diesel technology incorporated include:

• Piezo-electric-controlled injectors
• Commonrail system (1600 bar)
• Variable nozzle turbos
• Diesel particulate filters (DPF)
• Lean NOx-trap catalysts
• Sophisiticated control-system for precise modulation of the DPF and catalysts in tandem with the driving conditions

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080609-01-e.html

Technorati tags:

Nissan, Japanese Vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that it would provide 10 i MiEV^*1 electric vehicles for official use at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The electric vehicles will be used as transport for visiting world leaders and members of the media. Additionally, the vehicles will comprise one part of an on-site display^*2 and test drive.
MMC hopes that through its small contribution, attendees of the G8 Summit will find a new appreciation for the superior practicality and environmental viability of electric vehicles.

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it has developed a fuel cell hybrid vehicle equipped with the newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack. The “TOYOTA FCHV-adv”*¹ acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on June 3.

During development, TMC analyzed results and data from various utilization studies by the Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Demonstration Project organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, tests conducted by the California Fuel Cell Partnership in the United States and cold-weather tests in Timmins, Canada. TMC also repeatedly carried out basic research to get to the core of technical problems as they arose. Based on the results gained from these studies, the TOYOTA FCHV-adv’s fuel cell system was enhanced to further improve cruising distance and low-temperature starts, which had presented obstacles to widespread fuel cell vehicle use.

The building block of the Toyota FC Stack is the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), where engineers focused on the basic problem of internally produced water interfering with electrical generation within the MEA at low temperatures. Fundamental research, such as internal visualization tests, was carried out to understand the behavior and amount of water generated in the fuel cell, allowing engineers to optimize the MEA design to improve low-temperature startup. As a result, the TOYOTA FCHV-adv can start and operate in cold regions at temperatures as low as –30 degrees Celsius, meaning the vehicle can be used in a wider variety of conditions and climates.

In addition, fuel efficiency was improved by 25% through improving fuel cell unit performance, enhancing the regenerative brake system and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system. Further changes include incorporating degradation control for the electrode catalyst and improving fuel cell durability. Furthermore, equipping the vehicle with TMC-developed 70Mpa high-pressure hydrogen tanks makes it possible to travel approximately 830km*² on a single fueling—performance that more than doubles that of the TOYOTA FCHV-adv’s predecessor, the TOYOTA FCHV.

While steadily conducting research and development to resolve issues such as how to improve the durability and reduce costs of the Toyota FC Stack, TMC is working with government, energy companies and other concerned parties to actively bring about widespread fuel cell vehicle use.

A Toyota FCHV-adv is to be provided as a test-ride vehicle at the Environmental Showcase within the International Media Center during the July 7-9 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

Source:http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/0606_2.html

Technorati tags:

Toyota, Japanese Vehicles

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced that it will provide 78 conventional hybrid and other environmentally friendly vehicles for official use and demonstration at the July 7-9 G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

The vehicles will be used to transport participating country officials, shuttle media and government representatives and serve as next-generation test ride vehicles as part of the summit’s Environmental Showcase of environmentally related displays and demonstrations at the venue’s International Media Center.

TMC provided the environmentally friendly vehicles in response to a Japanese government request to help ensure that the summit and the preparations for it are as environmentally considerate as possible. This is especially because one of the major themes of the summit is the environment, particularly measures aimed at combating global warming.

TMC will provide (including backup vehicles) 11 Lexus LS600h/LS600hL sedans, 15 Crown Hybrid sedans and 43 Estima Hybrid minivans for transporting participant country officials. In addition, five units of the hydrogen-powered Toyota FCHV-BUS*¹ will be used for shuttling government and media representatives.

The test ride vehicles for the Environmental Showcase will include one Toyota Plug-in HV*², two battery-powered i-REAL personal mobility vehicles and a TOYOTA FCHV-adv*³. Also at the Environmental Showcase, TMC will put on technological displays that include a stationary fuel cell and a high-pressure hydrogen tank developed by TMC for fuel cell vehicles.

Some of the aforementioned vehicles will also serve the June 7-8 Energy Ministers Meeting in Aomori Prefecture and the June 15 G8 Science and Technology Ministers Meeting in Okinawa Prefecture.

Source:http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/0606_1.html

Technorati tags:

Toyota, Japanese Vehicles