Hino Motors Ltd. (“Hino”) has released its performance in recycling end-of-life vehicles for FY2007 (April 2007 to March 2008) based on the Automobile Recycling Law*1.

Under the Automobile Recycling Law, automakers and importers are required to collect, recycle, and properly treat three specified items, namely automobile shredder residue (ASR) generated from end-of-life vehicles, airbags, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Hino outsources its ASR recycling to the Toyotsu Recycle Corporation and its treatment of airbags and CFCs to Japan Auto Recycling Partnership. In doing so, Hino collects and recycles these three specified items properly and efficiently.

The company’s performance in FY2007 resulted in 10,673 units of ASR (amount collected: 3,686.1 tons), 316 units of airbags and 2,873 units of CFCs (amount collected: 1,534.9 kg).

The recycle rate for ASR was 71%, achieving the 70% required by the legal standards for FY2015. The recycle rate for airbags was 94%, surpassing the legal standard of 85%. The 1,534.9 kg of CFCs collected were appropriately broken down.

The total cost of recycling these three specified items was 234,519,000 yen, while the total amount of deposits received from the Fund Management Institute was 128,400,000 yen. This resulted in a net loss of Hino of 106,119,000 yen.

Based on the spirit of the Automobile Recycling Law and the Hino Global Environment Charter, Hino will continue working hard to promote the development of a recycling-oriented society, including recycling end-of-life vehicles.

Source: http://www.hino-global.com/news_release/102.html

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Hino, Japanese Automobiles

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced that it will source an innovative all-new compact car from its Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom (UK), starting in 2010. Building on the success of the Qashqai, the all-new product will reinforce Sunderland’s role as manufacturer and exporter of high-value products.

The decision was announced following a visit today by the British Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, to Nissan’s European Design Centre in central London where he met Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co.

The Prime Minister said, “Nissan is a global manufacturer with strong roots in Britain and I’m pleased to welcome Nissan’s new investment in the UK. Today’s announcement that a brand new car is to be designed and built in the UK is another important boost to our manufacturing industry, and builds upon Nissan’s recent commitments to increase investment and jobs at its record breaking Sunderland plant.

“Sunderland’s success shows what an innovative, talented and highly committed workforce can achieve, and reaffirms the UK’s position as a strong player in the global car industry,” he added.

Carlos Ghosn said, “By delivering on tough commitments, our employees at Sunderland have demonstrated our plant can be a globally competitive centre for the production of high-value products. We are encouraged by the proactive support shown by the British government to decide new products for the Sunderland plant.”

The all-new vehicle will be an addition to the current Nissan range and for the Sunderland plant, and it will take up the manufacturing capacity created when production of the current version of the Micra ends in 2010.

Next generation Micra
Nissan will compete in the entry-car market with a dedicated new A platform that will be used for at least three models, including the next generation of Micra, and will be built in five Leading Competitive Countries (LCCs).

Production sites for this family of compact cars will include the new plant in Chennai, India, being constructed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The development of a competitive A platform is one of several business breakthroughs announced as part of Nissan GT 2012, the company’s new five-year business plan.

The Nissan plant in Sunderland produced a record 374,000 vehicles in fiscal year 2007. Nissan is the largest vehicle exporter from the UK, with around 80% of production sold outside of the country. Together with the engine assembly plant and other facilities, Sunderland currently employs 4,700 workers.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080603-01-e.html

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Hino, Japanese Automobiles

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will begin sales of a new compact minivan, named the Freed, in Japan on May 30, 2008. This new model fuses an easy-to-use and spacious cabin with stylish design. Special mobility assistive versions—Freed with side lift-up seat and Freed with passenger lift-up seat, also go on sale May 30, 2008—while a Freed wheelchair-accessible model will go on sale June 20, 2008.