Hezarfen, a small airfield situated on the banks of the Marmara Sea and a twenty minute drive from Istanbul, inaugurated the first ever Grand Prix of Turkey for the third round of the 2009 MX1 and MX2 Motocross World Championships. Italian Antonio Cairoli won the MX1 category with American Zach Osborne victorious in the MX2 series.

Honda’s notable performers on the day were NGS Honda’s Marvin Musquin who claimed third step of the MX2 podium while Martin Honda’s Kevin Strijbos finished fifth in the premier class.

The event was well supported with 30,000 spectators (weekend figure) flocking to the venue with a newly built track offering varying degrees of grip and a twisty layout meaning a more technical and slower prospect compared to the high speeds experienced seven days previously in Bulgaria.

Strijbos, who was able to practice during the week for the first time since the GP of Italy two weeks ago, made an excellent start on his fuel injected CRF450R in the first moto through cold winds and ran a close second to Cairoli for the first part of the race. He eventually slowed and was overtaken by Steve Ramon but third position was still his best race result since the final GP of 2007.

In Moto2 the Belgian was again quick away from the line but a crash on the first lap when he lost the front end landing from a jump meant that he had to recover from the rear of the pack to climb to seventh at the flag.

Source:http://world.honda.com/WMX/2009/03turkey/race/

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Motorcycles Exporters

Recognizing Honda’s commitment to environmental leadership in the area of alternative fuels and hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, the Honda FCX Clarity was declared the 2009 World Green Car, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced.

At a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Mobil 1 at the Jacob Javits Center in, New York, the Honda FCX Clarity was named the 2009 World Green Car. The FCX Clarity was chosen from an initial entry list of 22 contenders nominated by 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries worldwide.

“The FCX Clarity is a symbol of the progress we have made with fuel cell vehicles and our commitment to developing vehicles that promote renewable energy supplies and zero-emissions transportation,” said Steve Center, vice president, national Marketing Operations for American Honda.

The FCX Clarity, a sleekly styled hydrogen fuel cell-powered sedan currently available on a limited lease-basis, is propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated by an on-board fuel cell stack. The vehicle’s only emission is water, and its fuel efficiency is up to three times that of a modern gasoline-powered automobile and two times that of a gasoline-powered hybrid vehicle.

The World Green Car awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4090409FCX-Clarity/

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A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupemade its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. The production version of the dramatically styled prototype goes on-sale in the fall of 2009. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility.

“The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer.”

The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement. With its sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the ZDX blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle. Clean, flowing lines start from the headlights and run the length of the car, accentuating the cars presence and grace. In keeping with the coupe-inspired styling, the rear door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar. The all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The prototype is finished off with stylish dual chrome exhaust outlets and 9-spoke machined wheels fitted with 20-inch Michelin tires.

“From the very first sketch of the ZDX, I wanted to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be,” said Michelle Christensen, ZDX exterior designer. “My goal was to create a strikingly beautiful exterior, and use that attraction to help draw you into the rich interior.”

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090408All-New-Acura-ZDX/

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Japanese Cars Exporters

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML) today announced the sales of the X-TRAIL in FY2008 has reached to 27,001 units and achieved No.1 selling SUV for the second consecutive year*1. Since the full redesigning in August, 2007, X-TRAIL has received accolades for its powerful traction and stability through Nissan’s advanced four-wheel drive system, called ALL MODE 4×4i, and highly functional interior including an amply large luggage area and heated front and rear seats, applied first in its class*2, with water-repellent materials. Furthermore, a new clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT”, the first vehicle in the world which meets Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations”, was released in September, 2008 and its sales target has been greatly exceeded. In addition, in Japan’s new preferential tax scheme for environment-friendly vehicles, effective April 2009, a clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT” qualifies for maximum tax break at zero tax for automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax. Nissan will continuously expand the sales with the lineup of eco-friendly vehicles qualified for the new preferential tax scheme*3.

*1: Domestic market new registration for X-TRAIL: April, 2007- March, 2008; 34,562 units, April, 2008- March, 2009; 27,001 units (According to JAMA). SUV is a off road 4WD (part of 2WD included) produced in Japan categorized by JAMA.
*2: 2.0L-2.5L SUV produced in Japan
*3: In Post New Long-Term Regulation, regulation values of NOx is reduced by 47% and the values of PM (particulate matter) by 64% from those of “New long-term regulation” which has been in effect since 2005 (applicable to vehicles weighing more than 1,265kg). Post New Long-Term Regulation is effective for new model vehicles beginning Oct. 2009, and for existing models and imported vehicles, starting Sept. 2010.
*4: For vehicles, which achieve at least 25% improvement above 2010 Fuel Economy Standards and 75% below 2005 Exhaust Emission Standards (SU-LEV)

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090408-03-e.html

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Japanese Vehicles Exporters

The all-new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster offers everything the new Nissan Z Coupe does -an unmatched balance of dynamic performance, sculptured styling, innovative technology and exceptional value. And more. As in more classic open-air sports car excitement. More sun, moon and stars. And more refinement than any Z convertible that has ever come before - including a standard automatic latching power top and Nissan Intelligent Key, as well as available heating and cooling ventilated net seats, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and advanced Nissan Navigation System.

The 2010 370Z Roadster is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in late summer 2009.

Based on the current generation 370Z Coupe (introduced in January 2009), the Z Roadster shares its engine, transmissions, suspension, platform and most major components with the popular and exceptionally well-reviewed Z Coupe. The list of cutting edge technology includes the standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL), choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match (the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined 4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel vented disc brakes (with available Nissan Sport Brakes) and lightweight yet rigid body structure.

The Z Roadster departs from the Z Coupe with its exclusive high back net seats, added structural body reinforcements and convertible top. The 370Z Roadster’s roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z’s stunning styling with the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

And, true to its sports car heritage, the Z Roadster’s interior is completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place - so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever they drive, top up or down.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090408-02-e.html

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Japanese Vehicles

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned “Wish”.

The Wish is a compact seven-seater minivan that has gained a solid reputation for its sporty styling, wide-ranging utility and comfortable driving performance—with sales of more than half a million units—since its launch in January 2003.  The new, second-generation model has enhanced sportiness and comfort, and features significant improvements in driving, environmental and safety performance.  The result is a vehicle that aims to meet a user’s every “wish”.

All vehicles in the series feature a new-generation engine with “Valvematic”, which is a continuously variable valve-lift and valve-timing mechanism that achieves both excellent driving performance and superior environmental performance.  The new engine, in combination with Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent (Super CVT-i) transmission, gives the Wish a maximum of 15%-better fuel efficiency than the previous model and more exhilarating driving performance.  Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control (S-VSC) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) side and curtain-shield airbags—standard on all vehicles in the series—give the new Wish class-leading levels1 of safety performance.

Source: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/09/0402.html

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Japanese Vehicles