HIROSHIMA, Japan—To mark the one-millionth visitor to the MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima, Mazda Motor Corporation today held a presentation ceremony for the donation of a vehicle modified to assist people with special needs. The one-millionth fan visited the brand new ballpark on August 1. The ceremony was held at the stadium before the start of today’s Japanese pro baseball Central League game between the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Yokohama BayStars. Nobuhide Inamoto, a managing executive officer at Mazda, presented the keys of one Mazda Biante Autostep minivan to representatives from the Hagukuminosato Workplaza Higashi, a social welfare organization chosen by the Hiroshima City Council of Social Welfare for the donation.

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 stadium.
 
Mazda recognizes that local communities are the foundations of the Mazda Group. By conducting community-focused activities around the world, Mazda contributes to the needs of the communities in which it does business.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200909/090930a.html

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Japanese Vehicles

Mazda Motor Corporation will display special needs vehicles and other exhibits at the 36th International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (H.C.R.) 2009 in Tokyo. The exhibition, organized by Japan’s Health and Welfare Information Association, will be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) from September 29 through October 1, 2009.

Mazda will display three vehicles that have been modified for use by wheelchair users. The AZ-Wagon i is based on Mazda’s micro-mini model, and the Biante Second Row Lift-up Seat and Biante Front Row Lift-up Seat special needs versions are based on the Mazda Biante mid-size tall “high-roof” minivan.

In addition, Mazda will also present a special wheelchair with specifications for use in off-road racing as one element of its people and eco-friendly initiatives. This wheelchair enables physically challenged competitors to participate in the Mazda Cup off-road bicycle races held in Japan, which are sponsored by Mazda.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200909/090918b.html

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Mazda Motor Corporation today delivered one Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid each to the City of Hiroshima and Hiroshima Prefecture government authorities in western Japan. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is Mazda’s latest hydrogen rotary engine (RE) vehicle that uses hydrogen as a fuel and features a unique hybrid system. Including the first lease of a Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to the Iwatani Corporation in May 2009, Mazda has now delivered three hydrogen hybrid vehicles to fleet customers to date. The City of Hiroshima and Hiroshima Prefecture each had a rotary engine RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle delivered in April 2006, making this the second hydrogen-fueled model that has been handed over to the local government authorities.

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid can run on both hydrogen and gasoline thanks to a dual-fuel system that was developed for the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE. The addition of a hybrid system to the Premacy Hydrogen RE significantly enhances the vehicle’s performance and contributes to its increased hydrogen fuel range of 200 kilometers, which is double that of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE.

Akihiro Kashiwagi, Mazda’s program manager in charge of hydrogen RE vehicle development, said, “As a company proudly rooted in Hiroshima, Mazda is delighted to deliver our hydrogen rotary engine vehicles to the City of Hiroshima and Hiroshima Prefecture, who are already using the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. We are working hard to keep improving the performance of Mazda’s hydrogen-fueled rotary engine vehicles and do our part to help achieve a hydrogen energy-based society in the future.”

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200909/090917a.html

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TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned “Land Cruiser Prado”.

The new Land Cruiser Prado, a mid-size, authentic four-wheel drive vehicle, continues the tradition of the Land Cruiser brand that is esteemed in more than 170 countries and regions around the world.  The fourth generation maintains the outstanding drivability, reliability and basic functionality of the earlier generations—even under the harshest driving conditions—while improving on the on-road and off-road performance that is the Prado’s claim to fame.  Enhanced utility results in a vehicle that offers comfort and peace of mind—anytime and anywhere.

Specific improvements include a roomier cabin through increased space between the front and second-row seats, while enhancements to the time-tested full frame structure and higher body rigidity make the ride even more comfortable.  In addition, the adoption of a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) allows for driving stability at city and highway speeds, and a “crawl control” feature enhances rough-road compatibility.  Other off-road driver-support features include a Multi-terrain Select switch to control drive power and braking in line with the off-road environment and the world’s first1 Multi-terrain Monitor, which displays the road conditions around the vehicle taken by four onboard cameras.

Source: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/09/09/0914.html

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Honda will begin sales of a new scooter model, PCX, in Thailand in November of this year through A. P. Honda Co., Ltd., a Honda affiliate responsible for distributing Honda motorcycle products in Thailand. Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Thai Honda), a Honda subsidiary that manufactures motorcycles, power products, and components in Thailand, will serve as the global manufacturing base for PCX and is planning to begin exports of PCX in early 2010, to other countries in the ASEAN region as well as other regions including Japan, Europe and the U.S.

With the global market in mind, PCX was designed to provide both the ease-of-use customers expect from a scooter and innovative styling. In addition, the basic design of key components such as the frame and engine are common for each market to achieve a significant increase in production efficiency.

Thai Honda began motorcycle production in 1967 for the Thai market, and currently supplies motorcycles and motorcycle components primarily to the ASEAN region. Thai Honda will supply PCX to the global market while leveraging its superior cost competitiveness, quality and supplier network which the company has cultivated during its more than 40-year history.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090914Scooter-PCX-Thailand/

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Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. will begin sales of the 2010 season model YZ450F, a motocrosser developed for “faster and easier cornering with museum-look styling” and mounting a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke fuel injected engine on an aluminum frame. (White version of this model will also be launched on November 30, 2009)

The 2010 model YZ450F newly adopts a fuel injection system (F.I.) and a unique engine layout adopting front straight air intake and a rearward-slanting cylinder, while the chassis adopts a new frame design called the Bilateral Beam frame. These features combine to achieve a high level of competitiveness for the total package. Also provided as standard equipment is the new YZ Power Tuner (shipped with the machine) that significantly increases the ease of tuning. The body design features a look of quality worthy of a new-generation motocrosser.
For the coloring, the Yamaha racing blue version (Deep Purplish Blue Solid E) that symbolizes Yamaha racing is joined by a white version (Purplish White Solid 1) with a more stylish image as a limited order variation. In Japan, the YZ series models are sold at the dealerships officially certified to sell Yamaha off-road competition models.

Source: http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/news/2009/09/09/yz450f.html

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will be a sponsor of Car Design History - NISSAN Passion and Beauty of Function, an exhibition at the Hiratsuka Museum of Art. Scheduled Saturday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 29, the exhibit is the first of its kind held in a public museum in Japan.

The exhibition traces the history of car design in Japan and gives a glimpse into the future of automotive design, with illustrative examples from Nissan’s history. Inside the exhibition room, transitions of sketch technique and manufacturing processes of scale and clay models are illustrated through sketches, pictures and tools of the trade. An exploration of mid-size sedans, sports sedans and sports cars, with studies of the Nissan Bluebird, Fairlady and Skyline, helps show how design has changed through the years.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090910-01-e.html

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Mazda Motor Corporation has launched freshened versions of its CX-7 crossover SUV in the Japanese market. Combining the performance of a sports car with the practicality of an SUV, the facelifted CX-7 goes on sale today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide.

When the Mazda CX-7 commenced sales in Japan in December 2006, it offered bold and flowing styling together with impressive driving performance provided by the MZR 2.3L Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) Turbo engine.

The newly facelifted CX-7’s design has been enhanced and refined. The front fascia features a fresh five-point lower grille. Chrome garnish added throughout the interior increases the overall impression of dynamism and quality.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200909/090908a.html

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed the Dual Clutch Transmission*1, the world’s first*2 fully automatic motorcycle dual clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes. The new transmission provides riders sporty riding enjoyment with easy operation, while its superior transmission efficiency delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. A new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.

This world’s first motorcycle dual clutch transmission features a light, compact design that allows it to be combined with existing engines without substantial layout modification. Further, the new transmission delivers the precise acceleration control riders require thanks to electronic control technology that helps ensure smooth, seamless gear changes. In order to respond to rider demands in a broad range of situations, the transmission is equipped with three operating modes, two full-auto modes (D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding); and a 6-speed manual mode, which delivers the same shift feel as a manual transmission. Honda intends to gradually expand the deployment of the new transmission to more and more of its large-displacement motorcycles, particularly sports models destined for use in developed countries.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/2090908Dual-Clutch-Transmission/

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Round 6 of SUPER GT, the “INTERNATIONAL Pokka SUMMER SPECIAL” (Suzuka 700km Race) took place at Suzuka Circuit. After qualifying 2nd, the HASEMI TOMICA EBBRO GT-R (#3 Ronnie Quintarelli/Hironobu Yasuda) ran a strong race to take the second step on the podium. In addition, the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#1 Satoshi Motoyama/Michael Krumm), which had qualified 12, finished 6th, protecting its position at the top of the championship points’ standings.

This season has seen strong performances from the HASEMI TOMICA EBBRO GT-R (#3) in the races, particularly when the temperature is high - as it was at the previous round at SUGO, the car briefly leading before falling back due to rain, the squad showing its eagerness to secure good results at any cost this season.

Start driver Quintarelli continuously repelled rivals as he defended 2nd place throughout the early stages. He handed the car over to his teammate Yasuda on lap 31. From this point, a battle with the #8 NSX ensued, re-emerging for 3rd place once again on lap 85. After this, fire broke out onboard the #8 machine, ending its race. This brought out the safety Car (SC), which circulated for a number of laps. All cars used this to dive into the pits for fuel. At about 18:30, the signboard instructing “Lights On” was shown, and from this point it became a night race. Once the race re-started, Yasuda in the #3 machine chased the leading #35 car, about 15 seconds up the road. His maintained effort brought the gap own to 10.6 seconds at the finish.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090823-01-e.html

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