Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), has opened a campus in York Township, Michigan, U.S.A. The new campus will handle TTC’s product planning and engineering design operations, as well as serve as TMC’s first collision-safety testing facility outside Japan.

At a Thursday, October 9 ceremony to officially open the campus, attendees included Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, TMC Senior Managing Director Yasuhiko Ichihashi and TTC President Shigeki Terashi.

TTC, which is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and which has served as TMC’s North American vehicle research and development base since 1977, has invested 187 million U.S. dollars in the York Township campus. The campus, for which plans were announced in April 2005, will create a total of 400 additional jobs at TTC by the end of 2010, 300 of which have already been filled.

TTC’s Ann Arbor campus will continue to carry out evaluation activities, powertrain design and development, and research into materials and cutting-edge technologies.

With Japan as the center, TMC has established research and development bases in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to carry out vehicle and parts design, planning and evaluation. TMC intends to continue striving to develop and offer products that suit regional conditions, and to meet the needs of customers all over the world.

Source: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/1010.html

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Toyota Vehicles

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has confirmed that the sedan version of the all-new Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan), fully redesigned for the first time in 5 years, will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show*1 on November 19, 2008.

The covers will be pulled off during Mazda’s press conference from 12:20 to 12:45 (local time) revealing the all-new Mazda3, the latest evolution of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom spirit.

All-new Mazda3 sedan (North American specification)

Every element of the all-new Mazda3 has been developed for heightened exhilaration, with a more refined sporty ride, top class fuel economy and quietness. Environmental and safety features, based on Mazda’s long-term “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” vision, aim to achieve a balance with fun-to-drive. Add in a new expressive face and Mazda’s dynamic design elements, and the all-new Mazda3 is everything a driver could ask for in a sports compact. The brand new version of Mazda’s best-selling sports compact carries forward the heritage of Mazda and the pedigree of the current Mazda3. Since its launch in 2003, the current Mazda3 has sold approx. 1.8 million vehicles*2 in over 100 countries and has won more than 90 global motoring awards*3 to date. The Mazda3 accounts for almost one in three Mazdas sold every year. Following the world debut of the North American specification sedan with 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines at the show, the five-door hatchback version will be revealed in line with Mazda’s global sales schedule.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2008/200810/081009.html

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Mazda Cars, Japanese Vehicles

Toyota ‘iQ’ in Good Design Award 2008 Best 15

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. presented the concept model of its all-new Insight dedicated hybrid vehicle scheduled to be introduced in 2009, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 2–19; Press Days: October 2–3).

Based on a theme of achieving dynamic performance through excellent aerodynamics, the exterior design of the Insight concept model combines excellent environmental performance and a fun to drive spirit. The compact Insight Concept measures 4,375 mm (172.2 in.) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 in.) in width, and 1,425 mm (56.1 in.) in height, with specially designed, ultra-light aluminum wheels and 205/40 R18 tires. With a cockpit that enables the driver to experience the joy of driving, the interior of the Insight Concept provides an advanced and futuristic feeling that is possible only through a hybrid vehicle.

The all-new Insight, which will be developed based on this Insight Concept, will be a five-door, five-passenger hatchback equipped with Honda’s lightweight and compact hybrid system, with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine serving as the main power source, assisted by an electric motor. While achieving fuel economy on par with the Civic Hybrid, the new Insight will also achieve excellent utility and light and comfortable driving through the adoption of a new platform developed specifically for this vehicle. Honda will begin sales of the all-new Insight in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009, and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.

In his speech at the Paris Motor Show, Honda Motor president & CEO Takeo Fukui said, “This new Insight will give more people the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality hybrid vehicle only Honda can develop.”

The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4081002All-New-Insight/

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France Vehicles Exporters

Today the new Lancer Sportback saw its world debut at Le Mondial de l’Automobile 2008 (Paris Motor Show 2008), held in Halls 1-8 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from October 2 (October 4 for the general public) through October 19. Joining the Lancer Sportback on the Mitsubishi Motors stand for its first viewing is the facelifted made-in- Europe Colt compact model, built at Mitsubishi Motors NedCar Factory in Borne, The Netherlands.

Debuting alongside the new Lancer Sportback and Colt models is Mitsubishi Motors’ new Racing Lancer turbodiesel competition car. The company will enter the car in the next Dakar Rally, which moves from the African to the South American continent for 2009. Also starring in the 15 model lineup (16 during Public Days) is the i MiEV new-generation electric vehicle, currently undergoing proving testing in Japan, with exploratory plans scheduled or under consideration in the United States, New Zealand and Iceland.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/motorshow/detail1838.htmlTechnorati tag:

Mitsubishi Cars Exporters

Lexus announced today that it is exhibiting the new “IS250C” convertible at the 2008 Paris Motor Show¹, which runs from October 2 to 19².

IS250C (European market model)

The IS250C, part of the “Intelligent Sports Sedan” IS250 series, is a four-seater convertible that maintains its characteristic beauty equally with the top up or down and aims to embody the joy of open-air driving.

IS250C special features:

• Use of a lightweight aluminum alloy three-segment top with full electric mechanism allows smooth control, and prompt and quiet 20-second opening and 20-second closing. Use of this compact top creates a comfortable interior space for four adults.
• With the top down, the unique shape of the upper part of the trunk is given even more presence, resulting in an elegant flowing silhouette, and with the top up, the car takes on a sporty coupe look with a harmoniously balanced cabin and body, thus giving the car two distinct personalities.
• Even with the top down, the trunk has ample space to stow a golf bag.
• The body structure was specifically strengthened to ensure comparable driving performance with the top up or down, and the shape of the windshield and other parts of the car were designed to reduce wind disturbance on occupants during top-down driving.
• The front seats feature large SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side-airbags to protect the upper body and head in the event of a side-on collision. Also, the IS250C’s body structure was designed to meet—even with the top down—the highest EURO NCAP safety rating (5-star).
• Cabin temperature, audio quality, volume of turning signal indicators and other warning systems can be automatically controlled to suit conditions for when the top is up or down. Also, the front seat can be folded, slid to full-front position and returned to its original position at the push of a button, facilitating easier ingress and egress for rear seat passengers.

Source: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/1002.html

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Paris Car Exporters

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the addition of KIX to complement its minicar portfolio. KIX, a sport utility vehicle, is scheduled for release in end-October in Japan.

KIX

The name “KIX” derives from the term “kicks”, a reference to irreverent fun, and the X-factor for the extreme and adventurous spirit.

KIX is supplied to Nissan by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation under an OEM agreement.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2008/_STORY/080930-01-e.html

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Mini Vehicles