Mazda Motor Corporation has announced it will participate in the “ITS-Safety 2010” combined tests of automotive Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)* in Japan. Mazda will provide Mazda MPV and Mazda Atenza (known as the Mazda6 overseas) vehicles – equipped with advanced safe driving systems it has developed – for use in public demonstration events to be held from February 25 to 28, 2009, in Odaiba, Tokyo’s new waterfront subcenter district. The ITS-Safety 2010 testing is being conducted by the “ITS Promotion Council,” a joint committee formed of public and private sector organizations in Japan to advance large-scale testing of safety technologies.

The ITS trials will verify the effectiveness of advanced automotive intelligent technology systems that have been jointly developed through public and private sector cooperation. This involves setting up the necessary apparatus on public roads, verifying the ITS technologies’ interoperability among different automakers and the system’s applicability to real-world driving use. The project’s overall aim is to make Japanese roads the safest in the world.

Mazda has been involved in ITS validation trials on public roads in the Hiroshima region since 2006. Its role, as a member of the consortium of regional government, academic and industry organizations that is sponsoring the local ITS trials, has been to develop on-board navigation systems to support ITS technology. To date, Mazda has equipped approximately 50 vehicles driven by consortium partners and members of the public with ITS-related safety systems. The data collected from these vehicles is being used to analyze unique characteristics of the local traffic infrastructure, such as large arched bridges with poor forward visibility or bridges that are shared by vehicles and streetcars.

Mazda committed to making more eco-friendly and safer vehicles as one of the major elements of its March 2007 long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Through the development of driver awareness technologies as part of its involvement in ITS initiatives, the company is striving to build fun-to-drive vehicles with abundant safety technologies that will share a sustainable traffic infrastructure with pedestrians, bicycles, and all other road users.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) today announced the launch of the high-performance Nissan GT-R in the Middle East.

The highly coveted Nissan GT-R will be sold and serviced at a limited number of Nissan High Performance Centers in select locations throughout the Middle East. These outlets have been certified to meet the exacting standards needed to maintain the high level of performance for the Nissan GT-R. Nissan Middle East FZE (NMEF) projects some 200 passionate enthusiasts will become proud Nissan GT-R owners in 2009. Global production of GT-R is limited to 1,000 units per month.

In order to showcase the outstanding capabilities of the award-winning Nissan GT-R supercar, NMEF will conduct a driving challenge March 2 on the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road. For the special event, the GT-R will be driven by famous rally driving legend Mohamed Ben Sulayem, the most awarded rally driver in the Middle East.

“The Nissan GT-R enjoys legendary status in the Middle East, so we decided it would be most fitting to create a memorable and challenging event for the car’s launch,” said Atsuo Kosaka, NMEF’s managing director. “The GT-R Jebel Hafeet Challenge will showcase this remarkable car’s dynamic ability in the hands of our region’s most successful rally driver. It will be fascinating to see how quickly the GT-R can ascend the mountain and set a benchmark time.”

Jebel Hafeet is a mountain south of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Scaling it is the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, which has been called the greatest driving road in the world. With 21 corners and three lanes, the road runs 11.7 km to a height of 1219 m at mountain summit, atop of which a spectacular view can be fully appreciated. A seven-km stretch of the mountain road will be used for the GT-R Jebel Hafeet Challenge.

“The Jebel Hafeet mountain is the UAE’s most challenging stretch of road, and it will be a fine test of the GT-R’s power, performance and poise,” said driver Sulayem.

In preparation for introduction to the market, Nissan’s multi-performance supercar underwent several tests around the world, including on the track of the Dubai Autodrome, a 5.39 km motorsports circuit located in Dubai, UAE.

The Nissan GT-R received the “Most Advanced Technology Award (Car of the Year Japan 2008-2009)” and was named the “2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year™ (USA),” among a number of other prestigious accolades.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090216-01-e.html

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Acura debuted an all-new V-6 model for its TSX sports sedan line-up at the Chicago Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale this summer, the 2010 TSX V-6 will be equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter engine, exclusive suspension tuning, larger diameter wheels and additional enhancements.

“The automotive market may be slowing down, but not Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “With improved acceleration and handling, the new 280 horsepower V-6 adds even more sport to the already sporty nature of the popular TSX sports sedan.”

Since its redesign last year, the TSX has shattered sales records to become one of Acura’s best-selling sedans. As the entry point to the Acura brand, the four-cylinder TSX has won over customers with its nimble handling, agile driving feel and balanced performance. The V-6 model adds a new level of power on top of these winning traits for a more sporty and spirited driving experience. The V-6 will surely satisfy driving enthusiast’s appetite for a fun-to-drive, yet refined sports sedan.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090211Chicago-Auto-Show/

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In a global market that fell 5%, Renault and Nissan reported a 1.1% drop in sales for 2008. With a total of 6,090,304 vehicles sold in 2008, the Renault Nissan Alliance captured a 9.4%* share of the global new vehicle market, up 0.3% points from 2007. Renault and Nissan sold 2,382,230 and 3,708,074 vehicles respectively. Renault’s worldwide sales decreased by 4.1%, while Nissan’s rose by 0.9%.

Renault resilient amid a global market crisis In a global market that fell by 5%, the Renault group reported a 4.1% drop in sales, while market share increased to 3.6%. The Renault Group (Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung brands) pursued international growth with a 1.5% rise in sales outside Europe to a total of 873,798 units, accounting for almost 37% of all Renault group global sales. In Europe, in a crisis-struck market that fell 8.1%, the Renault group grew its market share 0.2 points to 9%.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090204-01-e.html

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Mazda Motor Corporation will debut two new models of the all-new Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) product range at the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show from March 3 through 15, 2009. The world premiere of the Mazda3 with i-stop, Mazda’s advanced fuel-saving start-stop system, will be shared with the all-new Mazda3 MPS, Mazda3’s high performance flagship model. The Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed Axela) now features improved fuel economy and emissions that satisfy Euro Stage 5.

Mazda3 i-stop

The Mazda3 is one of Mazda’s core products, with more than two million units of the first generation produced. The design of the new model has a bolder and more dynamic stance; it is agile and confidence-inspiring, enhancing the sense of oneness between the driver and car. It also has high environmental and safety performance levels, exemplifying Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom long-term vision to provide cars that are eco-friendly and safe while still being fun to drive.

The Mazda3 with i-stop embodies Sustainable Zoom-Zoom and adds a new eco-friendly option to the lineup. It features the i-stop system in combination with the MZR 2.0 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) engine. Together, these two Mazda proprietary technologies help the new model achieve approximately 12 percent lower fuel consumption (urban cycle) than the current European Mazda3. By providing great driving performance as well as top-class fuel economy, the Mazda3 with i-stop is a different type of eco-car that will exceed customer expectations.

Mazda3 MPS

The Mazda3 MPS sport compact pushes Mazda design further and its exciting driving performance perfectly represents Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom spirit. Carrying forward the MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo engine, Mazda3 MPS builds on the popularity and recognition of the previous model. It evolves the driving experience to an entirely new level of quality and pleasure with its emotional design and exhilarating performance.

The all-new Mazda3 Program Manager, Yoshiyuki Maeda, says, “These two models add extra value to an all-new Mazda3 lineup that has already shown strong appeal. The new Mazda3 series takes a significant step ahead in both the realms of driving performance and environmental technology to lead the way toward a new generation of motoring.”

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200902/090203a.html

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal third quarter and the fiscal nine months ended December 31, 2008.

• Consolidated Financial Summary:

Results for Fiscal 3rd Quarter (3 month period from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008) Consolidated net sales and other operating revenue for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2008 amounted to JPY 2,533.2 billion, a decrease of 16.8% compared to the same period a year ago, due to factors including the negative impact of currency translation and declined sales of automobile business.

Operating income amounted to JPY 102.4 billion, a decrease of 62.9% compared to the same period a year ago, due to the negative impact of currency effects, increased raw material costs, increased fixed costs per unit as a result of reduced production, and increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses.

Income before income taxes amounted to JPY 86.7 billion, a decrease of 66.7% compared to the same period a year ago, and net income amounted to JPY 20.2 billion, a decrease of 89.9% compared to the same period a year ago.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090130Financial-Summary/

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