Mazda Motor Corporation will exhibit freshened CX-7 SUVs with European specifications at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 15 through 27, 2009.*1 Newly added to the updated CX-7 lineup – and to be exhibited at the Frankfurt Show – is a version powered by Mazda’s MZR-CD 2.2 liter diesel engine mated to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. SCR systems substantially reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions, which helps the diesel CX-7 to achieve outstanding eco-friendly performance that complies with strict Euro5 emissions regulations. The clean-running diesel CX-7 will be launched in Europe in October 2009, with Australian sales following in November.

Mazda CX-7 equipped with a MZR-CD 2.2-liter clean diesel engine (European specifications)

Mazda’s SCR system purifies vehicle exhaust gases by spraying AdBlue®*2 aqueous urea directly into the exhaust flow in front of the catalytic converter. Through a chemical reaction, the urea converts approximately 40 percent*3 of nitrous oxides into harmless nitrogen. Previously, the large size of SCR systems limited their use to trucks and buses. By reducing the size and weight of the system components, which include an AdBlue® storage tank fitted under the luggage area, Mazda is the first Japanese automaker to successfully equip a passenger vehicle with an SCR system. Even with the added components, the diesel powered CX-7 offers the same 455 liters of luggage space (VDA approved*4) as gasoline engine models. Additionally, Mazda’s SCR system was designed to minimize consumption of AdBlue®, enabling the clean diesel CX-7 to run for 20,000 kilometers between refills under normal driving conditions.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200908/090818a.html

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Japanese Vehicle

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), along with its German distributor Mitsubishi Motors Deutschland (MMD), is providing 2 new-generation electric vehicle (EV) i-MiEVs to Fraport AG, the owner of the Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s major hubs in a major promotion for the vehicle.

The Frankfurt Airport, the 3rd largest airport in Europe and the largest in Germany, as part of its plan to incorporate eco-friendly vehicles into its fleet, has decided to incorporate EVs in its fleet. Currently, Frankfurt Airport operates about 3,000 vehicles. Moving forward, Fraport AG plans to increase the share of EV vehicles in its fleet to 20% by 2015 and by more than 60% from 2020 onwards. In parallel, a network of quick chargers will be implemented all through the airport.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1965.html

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Mitsubishi Car, Japanese Vehicle

Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., an automobile production and sales joint venture of Honda in China, held a ceremony at its automobile production plant in Wuhan, Hubei Province, to celebrate the line-off of the new Spirior, which is scheduled to go on sale next month in China.

Dongfeng Honda has been producing CR-V since April 2004 and Civic since 2006. The company’s sales results have continued strong, with sales of 109,000 units for the first seven months of 2009 (January - July 2009), up 10.5% compared to the same period a year ago. The new Spirior will offer new value of a premium sporty sedan for sedan buyers in China.

Dongfeng Honda’s annual production result for 2008 (January - December 2008) was 165,000 units, up 32.3% compared to 2007, marking the fourth consecutive year of increased production. In July 2009, the company’s cumulative production reached 500,000 units.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090819Dongfeng-Honda/

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Japanese Car

The all-new 2010 Acura ZDX four-door sports coupe will arrive this winter at Acura dealerships with dramatic styling, outstanding performance and the latest in advanced technology. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility. Staying true to the prototype model that debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show in April, the production ZDX will feature the key design highlights of a panoramic glass roof, hidden rear door handles and bold fender flares.

“The ZDX is like nothing you have ever seen before from Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, Vice President of Acura sales. “It combines the best attributes of a coupe, a sedan and a sport utility – all wrapped in a beautifully sculpted package – that will attract an entirely new luxury customer to the Acura brand.”

Designed, developed and manufactured entirely in North America, the ZDX breaks new ground for Acura in many ways. The ZDX is the first vehicle to be styled from start to finish in the new, dedicated Acura Design Studio in Torrance, CA, allowing exterior and interior designers to work closely together throughout the entire design process. Staying true to the original sketch from Acura’s first female designer, Michelle Christensen, the ZDX features sensuous curves, deeply sculpted shoulders and strong character lines.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090816New-Acura-ZDX/

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Japanese Car

The British-built Civic Type R will be exported to Japan from next year. The acclaimed 3-door hot hatch, manufactured at Honda’s factory in Swindon, England, is to be shipped to Japan where it will go on sale during 2010.

The model will be called the Type R EURO, to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon, and will be sold in limited numbers.

Japan is the third country outside Europe to import this high-revving hot hatch with the red ‘H’ badge, following Australia and South Africa. The demand for the European-produced car in Honda’s domestic market is testament to the dedication and skill of Associates at Honda’s largest European factory - the only production facility in the world that builds the Civic Type R 3-door.

Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) also builds the 5-door Civic, Civic Type S and CR-V for Europe and will start production of the Jazz, this Autumn.

Japan also imported the previous Swindon-built Civic Type-R (EP3 model) in 2001.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4090806Civic-Type-R/

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Honda Vehicle

Mazda Motor Corporation will donate a vehicle modified to assist people with special needs to a local social welfare organization in order to mark the one-millionth visitor to the MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima, which occurred on August 1. As part of its submission to Hiroshima City authorities for the acquisition of naming rights to the new municipal baseball stadium and to give back to the local community, Mazda pledged that it would donate one special needs vehicle to a social welfare organization in Hiroshima for every one million people who visit the new stadium.

By mid-September 2009, the Hiroshima City Council of Social Welfare will select which social welfare organization in Hiroshima will receive the donated vehicle. The special needs vehicle model to be given will depend on the requirements of the organization.

The special needs vehicle will be presented to the chosen organization at a special ceremony to be held prior to a Central League professional baseball game at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima at the end of September.

As a good corporate citizen, Mazda intends to positively and continuously carry out corporate social responsibility activities to better engage with local communities and the people who live there.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200908/090807a.html

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Japanese Vehicle

The Mazda MX-5 Superlight version, a show car capturing the pure essence of the world’s most popular roadster, will see its world premiere at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 15 through 27, 2009.

After 20 years of global success, the Mazda MX-5 is the best-selling two-seat sports car in the world. At Frankfurt, Mazda will present a new take on its affordable roadster with an all-new show car, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight version, designed at Mazda’s studio in Frankfurt, Germany. A pure show car, it takes the lightweight technology that Mazda is famous for to a new level, improving driving performance, handling, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. This is combined with a radical exterior design requiring no windshield, and sporty chassis settings for pure roadster driving fun.

The new Mazda MX-5 Superlight version will be unveiled at Mazda’s press conference in Hall 3.1, Stand A7, on September15 at 12:45 local time.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200908/090805a.html

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Japanese Vehicle

Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Pakistani automobile and motorcycle production and marketing subsidiary, Pak Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd., produced its millionth automobile in May. The company held a commemorative event at the Pak Suzuki’s plant on 1 August. Guests included Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Chihiro Atsumi.

Pak Suzuki began automobile production with the Fronte in September 1982 and has since also produced a number of other models including the Carry Truck, Carry Van, Cultus1, Alto, and Jimny mainly for the Pakistani domestic market. It reached the million-unit milestone in about 26 years.

Source: http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2009/0803.html

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Japanese Car

To commemorate 20 years of Mazda Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5) sales, Mazda Motor Corporation has released a special edition version of its lightweight, two-seat, open-top sports car for the Japanese market. The Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the Mazda Roadster has attracted a wide range of customers since its launch in 1989, and is currently sold in approximately 60 countries. The Roadster was certified as the world’s most produced two-seat, open-top sports cars by Guinness World Records when production reached 800,000 units. Total production of the Mazda Roadster now stands in excess of 860,000 units.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary is based on the Roadster RS soft-top model with a six-speed manual transmission, and the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) hard-top model with a six-speed automatic transmission. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, exclusive ‘20th Anniversary’ badges, and clear front fog lights.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200907/090731a.html

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Japanese Cars Exporters

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today previewed its electric vehicle (EV) platform on a Tiida-based prototype to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a pure zero-emission vehicle. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity, delivering outstanding driving performance and safety, while offering a quiet and peaceful driving experience - a unique feature of a fully-electric drivetrain.

The in-house developed electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm for high response and powerful acceleration. Nissan’s unique motor control also contributes to the vehicle’s seamless acceleration.

The 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging, without compromising cabin or cargo space. The battery layout also allows smooth underfloor air-flow which helps reduce drag. Additionally, the regenerative brake system employed to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking extends the driving range to more than 160km*1 under a full charge.

High durability is achieved by employing an additional frame for the battery pack to significantly improve the rigidity of the platform. The combination of a high rigidity platform and electric powertrain minimizes vibration and external sounds to produce a quiet and pleasing drive.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090727-01-e.html

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Japanese Vehicles Exporters