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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Used Trucks & Buses, Mizuho Used Vehicle

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Southern California Edison (SCE) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and evaluation of the new i MiEV electric vehicle.

According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, “The small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEVs will enter into SCE’s nationally-recognized prototype testing and evaluation program. This collaboration with one of the nation’s leading utility supporters of electric vehicles will provide us technical feedback on i MiEV vehicle and battery performance, as well as vehicle connection and integration into the electrical system.”

Extensive testing with the i MiEV has been occurring over the past two years with seven major utility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and prompted Mitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.

The rise in interest for electric vehicles and other alternative-fuel propulsion systems is dramatically shaping the way automakers and utility companies are approaching the opportunity. Through this program, SCE hopes to help Mitsubishi Motors gauge how electric vehicles will most effectively connect to the smart grid of the future and the next generation Edison SmartConnect^TM advanced meters. In addition, the collaboration may explore future requirements for vehicle communication and connection, helping enable new customer values associated with home energy management and control.

“Southern California Edison has more than 20 years and 16 million EV miles of experience operating the nation’s largest private fleet of electric vehicles,” said Edward Kjaer, SCE’s director of electric transportation. “This new EV collaboration with Mitsubishi complements SCE’s existing work on plug-in hybrids and next-generation advanced batteries and their effective connection and control by Edison’s next-generation meters”

The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi’s “i” gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the i MiEV is able to offer the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravity for more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quicker acceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.

The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Mitsubishi Corporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edge in battery technology and promises up to 100 miles^*1 of zero-emissions, economical driving on a single charge when packaged in the i MiEV.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1815.html

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Electric Vehicles, Japanese Mini Cars

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) covering the use of MMC’s zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle for research and demonstration purposes.

According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, “We are hoping for the opportunity to introduce the small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEV to PG&E’s fleet in the fourth quarter of this year so that we can begin real-world U.S. testing. The joint partnership will yield valuable data and a greater appreciation of the practicality of an all-electric vehicle in California.”

Extensive testing with the i MiEV has taken place over the past two years with seven major utility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and prompted Mitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.

Through daily use, PG&E will gauge the viability of utilizing all-electric vehicles in its operations and further understand the impact of charging electric vehicles on the electric grid. The testing will provide PG&E and Mitsubishi Motors with vehicle usage data, which will be used to publicly demonstrate and validate the many benefits of dedicated electric vehicles within the California market.

“PG&E has been researching the benefits of electric vehicles since the nineties. Partnering with automakers like Mitsubishi is vital to developing compatible infrastructures to support electric vehicles in the marketplace and ensure responsible integration with the grid,” said Andrew Tang, senior director of smart energy web for PG&E. “By working with Mitsubishi, we will both benefit from a free exchange of electric vehicle information that includes charging infrastructure availability, vehicle data, vehicle commercialization expectations and public feedback.”

The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi’s “i” gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the vehicle offers the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravity for more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quicker acceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.

The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Mitsubishi Corporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edge in battery technology and promises up to 100 miles^*1 of zero emissions, economical driving on a single charge when packaged in the i MiEV.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1814.html

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Electric Vehicles, Japanese Mini Cars

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) today announced operating results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2008.

On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the first quarter totaled 6.22 trillion yen, a decrease of 4.7 percent compared to the same period last fiscal year.  Operating income decreased 38.9 percent to 412.5 billion yen, while income before income taxes, minority interest and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was 453.0 billion yen.  Net income decreased by 28.1 percent to 353.6 billion yen.

Operating income decreased by 262.9 billion yen, mainly due to the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, such as the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar.  The sharp increase of raw material prices exceeded cost reduction efforts by 10.0 billion yen.  These negative results surpassed the positive contributions from marketing efforts.  Equity in earnings of affiliated companies increased by 13.2 billion yen to 95.0 billion yen, mainly due to continued strong results of joint venture companies in China.

Commenting on the results, Mitsuo Kinoshita, TMC Executive Vice President, said, “The financial results for this quarter were severe, due to our rapidly changing business environment, including exchange rates fluctuation such as the rise of the yen against the US dollar and soaring raw material prices.”

Consolidated vehicle sales for the first quarter amounted to 2.19 million units, an increase of 24 thousand units compared with the same period last fiscal year.

In Japan, vehicle sales increased by 12 thousand units, to 512 thousand units.  Vehicle sales in the domestic market increased due to strong sales of new models including the Crown and the Alphard/Vellfire.  Export volume also increased due to strong demand in markets such as Russia, Australia and the Middle East.  However, due to negative impacts such as exchange rate fluctuation including the yen appreciation against the US dollar, operating income decreased by 179.5 billion yen, to 217.1 billion yen.

Vehicle sales in North America totaled 729 thousand units, a decrease of 33 thousand units.  Operating income decreased by 91.1 billion yen, to 69.1 billion yen including 67.5 billion yen of valuation profit on interest rate swap transactions.  Although the US market, primarily the truck segment, is slowing down, Toyota earned a record high market share of 17.4 percent for this quarter.  However, decrease in sales volume, the shift of product mix to compact cars, increase in sales expenses such as incentives and increase in reserves for bad debts, resulted in declining profits.  Toyota will take swift actions in accordance with market changes by increasing the supply of models in high demand and launching new models.

In Europe, sales decreased by 32 thousand units, to 301 thousand units.  Operating income decreased by 18.2 billion yen, to 20.3 billion yen.  Total vehicle sales decreased, despite strong sales in Russia and Eastern Europe, due to slowdown in Western European markets.  Toyota will launch new models that will continue to meet regional standards of CO2 regulations later this year and into next year to boost sales and generate profit.

Sales in Asia increased by 40 thousand vehicles to 262 thousand vehicles.  Operating income in the region increased by 19.7 billion yen, to 69.3 billion yen.  The successful launch of the remodeled Corolla early this year, the steady sales volume increase in the region, especially in Indonesia, and the increase in export volume due to continued strong demand of the IMV in regions outside of Asia, contributed to Asia’s operating income growth.

In Central and South America, Oceania and Africa, sales reached 382 thousand vehicles, an increase of 37 thousand units.  Operating income totaled 44.5 billion yen, an increase of 5.9 billion yen.  In Brazil, the remodeled Corolla launched this March, and the sales volume as a whole increased by approximately 30 percent compared to the last first quarter.  Sales in Australia and Argentina remained brisk.

In the financial services segment, operating income increased by 30.8 billion yen, to 79.1 billion yen compared to the last first quarter including 55.5 billion yen of valuation profit on interest rate swap transactions.  Excluding this valuation profit, operating income decreased by 21.8 billion yen.  Although the expansion of lending margins contributed to the increase in profit, higher percentage of credit losses in the US as well as the increase in reserves for bad debt and residual value losses resulting from decline of used car prices, were the main reasons for the decreased profit.  However, with Toyota’s traditionally prudent approach in lending, together with its efforts to further strengthen the credit control and collection system, the percentage of credit losses has shown some stability.  As for residual values, Toyota will continue to keep a close eye on the used car market and set suitable values in a timely manner.

TMC estimates that the projected consolidated vehicle sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 will be 8.74 million units.  Unconsolidated vehicle sales, such as those in China are expected to increase by approximately 170 thousand units.  As a result, the total of consolidated and unconsolidated vehicles sales are expected to be the same level as the last first quarter.  Toyota’s consolidated revenues and earnings forecast for the fiscal year remain unchanged, with consolidated net revenues of 25.0 trillion yen, operating income of 1.60 trillion yen and net income of 1.25 trillion yen.

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

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Toyota Motor, Japanese Vehicles

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has developed a new fuel cell stack with double the power density of the previous generation stack. The new fuel cell stack also achieves a 35% cost reduction mainly due to half the use of platinum, a key material used in the production of fuel cell stacks. Test fleets incorporating the improved fuel cell stacks will be operational by the end of this year.

MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly): Double the power density is achieved through improved conductivity of the electrolyte layer within the MEA, where the main chemical reaction occurs, coupled with a more densely-packed cell structure.

Cell Structure: A more densely-packed cell structure is achieved through the replacement of the carbon separator with a new thin metal separator. The separator functions to break down the hydrogen, oxygen and cooling water necessary for the chemical reaction. A specific coating applied to the separator helps improve conductivity and prevents chemical corrosion, leading to increased efficiency and durability throughout the fuel cell stack’s life-cycle.

Electrode: Higher durability electrode material results in a 50% reduction of the platinum required compared to the previous generation. This in turn, provides a significant breakthrough in the cost of these components.

Stack size and cost: The combined improvements in the cell result in double the power density, which enables a downsizing of the fuel cell stack size by one-third and significant cost reduction, without sacrificing performance. Compared to the previous generation, the new generation stack’s power output is increased 1.4 times from 90kW to 130kW, which can power larger vehicles. Stack size is reduced by 25% to 68L from 90L, which allows for improved packaging flexibility.

The next generation fuel cell stack is amongst a range of eco-friendly technologies being pursued by Nissan under its Nissan Green Program 2010, aimed at developing 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/080806-02-e.html

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Fuel Cell,  Vehicles