YOKOHAMA (December 16, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the Fairlady Z Roadster (Exterior color: Premium Deep Maroon, Interior color: Bordeaux) won the Grand Prix in Auto Color Award 2010* organized by the Japan Fashion Association - Japan Fashion Color Authority(JAFCA). In its 12th year, the Auto Color Award has been dominated by Nissan, having won five times previously.

Premium Deep Maroon, is the perfect color that captures the elegance and sophistication of the Fairlady Z roadster. The rich dark color looks equally great in the day and evenings, lending a versatile mood and mystique to the car. Maroon has long been a color associated with the Fairlady Z from the first generation 240ZG introduced.

Bordeaux, like its wine namesake, the interior color perfectly compliments the car’s exterior skin, creating a lush feeling of comfort and luxury interior.

Jury comments on the winning color include: “The original color used in the first-generation Fairlady Z has been well evolved into a modern style.” and “It’s an attractive color, which a car owner can get attached to.”

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091216-02-e.html

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Suzuki Motor Corporation is pleased to announce the launch in Japan of the new Alto, a minivehicle that offers excellent fuel economy and user-friendliness. The new Alto is available from Suzuki dealers throughout Japan from 16 December.

The first-generation Alto made its market debut in May 1979. During the subsequent three decades, the Alto has embodied Suzuki’s customer-focused philosophy by evolving to meet contemporary customer needs.

The new Alto is the seventh generation. It reflects a concept of developing a minivehicle that would make efficient use of fuel and other natural resources, offer great user-friendliness, and appeal to people of all generations. While inheriting the drivability, convenience, and economy that have always been Alto hallmarks, it reflects a closer-than-ever focus on fuel savings, ride comfort, and ease of use. As a result, it’s an exceptionally user-friendly minivehicle for day-to-day mobility.

Suzuki targets domestic monthly sales of more than 7,000 units.

Source: http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2009/1216.html

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Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the introduction of the “Prius Plug-in Hybrid”, a plug-in version of the third-generation “Prius” gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, into key markets. Approximately 600 units will be introduced in Japan, the United States, and Europe over the first half of 2010, for use by governments and businesses.

In Japan, TMC will lease approximately 230 units to government ministries, local governments selected for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s EV & PHV Towns program, corporations such, as electric power companies, and other entities. In the United States, approximately 150 units will be provided to government agencies, corporations, universities and research agencies for use in a demonstration program aimed at collecting driving data and spurring the development of battery-charging infrastructure. In Europe, TMC will lease approximately 200 units, with approximately 100 going to the City of Strasbourg, France. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also be introduced in the United Kingdom and Portugal, with the company also considering 10 other European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, along with countries in other regions, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet, and is the first vehicle produced by TMC to be propelled by a lithium-ion battery. Further, due to the battery’s expanded capacity, the vehicle has an extended electric-vehicle driving range, enabling use as an electric vehicle (EV) for short distances, while for medium and long distances, after battery power depletes to a level no longer allowing EV driving mode, the vehicle functions as a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle (HV). Thus, use is not constrained by remaining battery power or availability of battery-charging infrastructure.

Source:http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/09/12/1214.html

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Erlensee, Germany, December 11, 2009 - Honda opens European training center in Erlensee, Hesse. With a total investment of approximately 15 million euros, Honda is making a clear commitment to its operations in Germany, even in these difficult times. Sales associates as well as the service personnel of Honda partners for all product ranges throughout continental Europe will be trained at the new Honda Academy. Honda’s strengths in customer satisfaction and service will continue to be built upon with targeted training courses.

Shigeru Takagi, responsible for Honda’s European operations as President of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. stated: “The Academy is not just for learning about our latest products and technologies. We have to listen to and respect each customer’s individual concerns and to establish a good relationship with them, built on trust. The Academy’s mission is to help every associate at Honda to learn how to serve each individual customer better.”

During the opening ceremony, Volker Lange, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, also commended the initiative of the Honda Academy in his speech, stating: “Honda is setting another standard today! In times of financial and economic crisis and a continued falling motor vehicle market, strictly following the maxim of improving customer satisfaction, the creation of the Honda Academy and this large investment here in Germany deserves admiration and respect.”

14 permanent staff members will be employed on the 53,000 square metre premises in Erlensee, located near Hanau in the state of Hesse. Practical training using Honda’s entire product range will take place on a 15,000 square metre dynamic area. A total of 264 participants per day will be able to undergo training at the new Honda Academy.

Source:http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c091211European-Training-Center

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December 6th, Guangdong Circuit In the sixth round of the China Touring Car Championship in Guangdong Circuit, 2 Tiidas from the DongFeng Nissan Ghia Sports team took part in the 1600cc class race, finishing in 2nd and 7th places. Driver Lin Lifeng took 2nd, the same position his Dongfeng Nissan Ghia Sports Team took in the teams’ division.

One of the highlights of the final round of the 2009 CTCC was the new Guangdong China Circuit, located in the suburbs of Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, where the company and manufacturing plant that produces and markets the Nissan Tiida stands. As the country’s sixth 4-wheeled racing circuit, the final round of the CTCC season was the opening race at the just-completed Guangdong Circuit.

With warm weather a track temperature of 33 Celsius and air temperature of 23 degrees was recorded. The season’s final race began after a gorgeous opening ceremony. Lin Lifeng in the #2 Tiida started the race in 6th place while teammate Guo Haisheng in Tiida #1 started from 9th on the grid. In the opening stages on lap 3, the #5 VW Polo spun out, stopping in the middle of the track. The Safety Car quickly appeared for one lap. Immediately after the race was restarted, the #6 VW Polo in 2nd place took over the lead, passing the #12 HYUNDAI Elantra. The #1 and #2 Tiidas had been running in 4th and 5th places respectively, but after the restart, the #1 Tiida made contact with the #4 KIA Cerato and fell to 13th place.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091211-01-e.html

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LOS ANGELES, U.S.A., December 2, 2009 - The Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) design study model demonstrates a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact and sophisticated city coupe, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Conceived around a small “footprint” for maximum convenience in tight urban settings, the packaging concept integrates a center driving position configuration and a rear powertrain layout. The exterior styling leverages crisp angles with dynamic flowing lines that originate from the front of the vehicle and span outward toward the rear. The end result is a sleek and aggressive exterior that also allows for a spacious and open interior with excellent visibility.

“A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. “The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle.”

Source:http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4091202Los-Angeles-Auto-Show

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LISBON, Portugal - the Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced the location for the planned battery production site in Portugal. The announcement was made today in Lisbon by Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

The new plant, which will manufacture advanced lithium-ion batteries, will be located at the Renault CACIA (Companhia Aveirense de Componentes para a Indústria Automóvel) industrial complex located in Aveiro, about 250km north of the capital, Lisbon.

In July of this year, Nissan confirmed its intention to invest into a production plant to supply batteries for electric vehicles to be produced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Construction of the plant will start in 2010 with production commencing in 2012. Projected annual capacity is 50,000 units.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates said: “After becoming a leading country in renewables, Portugal aims being a pioneer in electrical mobility as it is developing a nationwide charging network for EVs. The battery factory of the Renault-Nissan Alliance reinforces Portugal’s role as a place to research, produce and test components and solutions for EVs.
Carlos Ghosn said: “We have been consistently impressed with the forward-looking and proactive attitude of the Portuguese government towards the introduction of mass-marketed zero-emission vehicles. Our ability to make this investment utilizing the Renault CACIA facility makes this a win-win for Portugal and for the Alliance.”

Under the agreement with the Government of Portugal, Nissan will invest over €160 Million in the new facility and directly create 200 new jobs at the plant. This investment follows the announcement in November 2008 that Portugal will work with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to implement a zero emission mobility program from 2010. Within this plan, the Alliance will supply its electric vehicles from January 2011, and the Portuguese government will leverage an extensive network of 1,300 planned recharging stations that will be installed across the country over the coming two years.

“Among the world’s automakers, Renault and Nissan are unique in our strategy to create a network of battery production facilities,” said Hideaki Watanabe, Alliance Managing Director of the Renault-Nissan zero emission business. “Portugal joins a growing list of countries making significant commitments to the reality of zero-emission mobility.”

The Renault-Nissan Alliance - the world’s third largest automotive group by volume - is committed to being a leader in zero-emission mobility. Starting with the Nissan LEAF in late 2010, the Alliance has already announced plans for seven electric vehicles to be mass marketed under the Renault, Nissan and Infiniti brands. In addition to Portugal, the Alliance has also confirmed battery production locations in France, Japan, the US and the UK.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091208-01-e.html

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December 7, 2009 - Honda announced that it has become one of only four car sponsors of the COP15 Climate Conference, which takes place in Copenhagen from 7th December to 18th December 2009. The announcement comes after Honda successfully met a series of strict environmental requirements set by the Danish Foreign Ministry.

The sponsorship will see Honda supply the two-week climate summit with a fleet of environmentally friendly new Honda Insight hybrid cars. The FCX Clarity, Honda’s ground-breaking, zero emission hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicle will also be present at the summit as part of a COP15 showcase - ‘Driving the Future’. The vehicles will be used to transport delegates, VIPS and journalists to key venues around the conference.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Svend Olling, Head of Department at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “In meeting our criteria, Honda has been selected as official sponsor of vehicles for the COP15 Climate Conference. Not only does the sponsorship enable us to lower emissions from the conference itself, but the vehicles also demonstrate technology, which already today can help us in our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the transportation sector.”

Source:http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c091207COP15/

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has decided to name its all-new compact crossover the RVR. This all-new compact crossover is planned for sequential release globally, and will be first released in Japan next spring.

The all-new RVR is a compact crossover that provides high environmental efficiency and has a compact body while providing ample utility space and high performance.

The RVR will be fitted with an all-new 1.8L MIVEC petrol engine, and will be approximately 4.3 meters in length, featuring high fuel efficiency via its lightweight compact body. With the RVR, MMC expands its crossover lineup, which already includes the full-size Pajero, and the mid-size Outlander.

This new compact crossover will be released globally, including North America, Europe, and Asian regions including China.

Source:http://media.mitsubishicars.com/releases/da955c57-4ae6-6683-df92-f3ef4b16beca

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YOKOHAMA (December 1, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announces the release of the Roox minicar, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide.

The most distinctive features of the new Nissan Roox are its spacious interior, elegant design and convenient features, such as the double sliding rear doors that provide for convenient entry and exit and a large, low-floor height luggage space. The name Roox was coined from “room” and “max” to convey its exceptionally roomy interior.

While Roox’s comfortable family car cabin is designed to change people’s impression of minicar interiors in Japan, its exterior design also brings an eye-catching new face to the segment. Roox incorporates the design characteristics of Nissan’s Highway Star Minivan series, including Serena and Elgrand, providing a striking and elegant appearance.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091201-01-e.html

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