HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation announced today that its unique idling stop system, i-stop, has won the 2010 Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) Technology of the Year award.

Idling stop systems reduce fuel consumption by automatically shutting down the engine when the driver stops the vehicle. Mazda’s i-stop system is fitted to direct injection engines and uses combustion energy to restart the engine in just 0.35 seconds, about half the time necessary for most other competing systems. The i-stop system also suppresses noise and vibration as the engine shuts down and restarts, ensuring that drivers experience a natural driving feel with no sense of discomfort.
 
Mazda introduced i-stop on the all-new Mazda Axela*1 (known overseas as the Mazda3), which launched in Japan in June 2009. The new Axela with i-stop offers approximately 15 percent improved fuel economy compared to the previous model when tested under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle.*2 Axela models with i-stop also qualify for Japan’s eco-car incentive program as well as tax reductions of 75 percent under the government’s eco-car tax reduction program. Almost half of the total Mazda Axela sales volume in Japan to date has been for i-stop models.*3

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200911/091118a.html

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NV200, Nissan’s global all new small van has been awarded the International Van of the Year (IVoY) 2010 by a jury made of 23 specialized European journalists representing a readership of more than half a million owners of commercial vehicles.

“The Jury was particularly impressed by the fact that Nissan created a compact light commercial vehicle that sets new standards in terms of internal space in relation to the external dimensions”, said the official statement from the IVoY Jury.

“We are delighted to receive the IVoY 2010 award as the recognition of Nissan’s determination to create innovative light commercial vehicles that exceed customer expectations” said Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “The NV200 is a global vehicle that associates unmatched levels of functionality with unique and attractive design. We offer our customers a vehicle that is an efficient and reliable business tool” said Palmer.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091117-01-e.html

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RThe fifth round of the China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) opened at the Shanghai F1 Circuit in Shanghai, China on Sunday. The two Tiidas entered in the 1600cc class by the Dongfeng Nissan Ghiasports team retired from the race.

The weekend of the event was a warm 28 degrees Celsius for November, humid from the morning rain, with the CTCC race getting underway on schedule.

The final race started off cleanly without any trouble. On the first lap, the driver of the #2 Tiida, Lin Lifeng, who started from sixth on the grid, passed the control line in fourth place, behind the #3 Kia Cerato, the #4 Kia Cerato and the #9 Haima 3. Guo Hai Sheng’s #1 Tiida car followed in eighth place. However, on the second lap Guo’s race was over. In the last corner a car in front of him spun out when Guo was about to overtake. Unable to avoid the spinning car, he hit the front left of his car and was forced into retirement.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091112-03-e.html

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Tarlton, November 7 - The Nissan Motorsport Donaldson Nissan Navara team of Duncan Vos/Ralph Pitchford, Ivar Erik Tollefsen/Quin Evans and Hannes Grobler/Juan Mohr claimed the top three places in the 2009 South African Off-Road Championship for production vehicles, which finished with the RFS Magalies 400, the eighth round of the series at Tarlton in Gauteng on Saturday.

In a season in which the team dominated what would be its last national off road championship, Nissan won six of the eight rounds and Vos and Pitchford emerged champions with five wins and 148 points. It was Vos’s third consecutive championship success and Pitchford’s second in three years. Norwegian Tollefsen and Briton Evans were runners-up in their best result in three seasons of contesting the championship with 94 points. Former champion driver Grobler, appearing in his final race for Nissan after a remarkable 33-year career with the same manufacturer, and defending co-driver champion Mohr were third with one win and 81 points.

Nissan’s record for the nine years it has contested the championship is nine driver and co-driver championships, six manufacturers’ championships and a total of 57 wins in 72 events.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091111-01-e.html

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Sunday, November 8th saw the final round of the 2009 SUPER GT series taken place at Twin Ring Motegi. Aiming at title glory, the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#1 – Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treuyer) qualified in fifth place and put in a spirited drive in the race until tyre trouble slowed the car’s progress. The results netted third place for Satoshi Motoyama in the Driver’s standings, while NISMO were third in the Team’s title fight.

The final race of the season saw over 35,000 race fans crowd into the circuit. Under cloudy skies that occasionally allowed the sun to peek through, the 250-km event got underway. Being the final round of the year, all entries ran without the customary ‘handi-weight’ (success ballast), and the race itself was 50kms shorter than the norm. The ambient temperature stood at 20 degrees Celsius, under dry track conditions. Starting from fifth on the grid, the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#1 – Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treluyer) began the race leading the championship. “We plan to move up the order right from the start” related NISMO Team Director Yutaka Suzuki before the race began. Starting driver Benoit Treluyer immediately attacked the car in front, resulting in a thrilling battle for 4th place with the #38 LEXUS SC430. On lap 4, he got past the #38 car, but because of excessive tyre wear due to his extreme, offensive driving he was forced to slow his pace.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091108-01-e.html

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YOKOHAMA (Nov. 5, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will start registration for domestic handraisers for its EV, Nissan LEAF, to be released in late 2010, on the Internet on November 5. This precedes accepting pre-orders starting from early 2010.

Those who registered will be able to receive information on LEAF through e-mail delivery and participate in EV test-drive events scheduled to be conducted (when the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, participants will be chosen by lottery). In addition, they have priorities for the delivery of LEAF after its release in late 2010.

■ Nissan LEAF

Carrying a message, “a new era of mobility - the zero-emission era”, the new Nissan LEAF is an EV offering both driving pleasure and environmental performance. Displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show closed on November 4, Nissan LEAF was a fruit of many years of research and development efforts based on Nissan’s epoch-making zero-emission vision for the future. Nissan LEAF will be launched in North America, Japan, and Europe in late FY2010.

Source:http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091105-02-e.html

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TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., November 3, 2009 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced that the all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour is set to debut on November 20 in the US.

The Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile characteristics of an SUV to create an entirely distinct concept within the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment. Leveraging the many benefits of a car-based platform, the Accord Crosstour starts with the top-level refinement of the Accord V-6 Sedan and further expands utility with a sleek-yet-functional profile for increased cargo space.

The Accord Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels ideal for dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4091103Accord-Crosstour

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LAS VEGAS, U.S.A., November 3, 2009 - Celebrating its 50th year in America, Honda kicked off its week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with a variety of historic and accessorized Honda vehicles, a robust Honda Performance Development (HPD) racing display and the reveal of a 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories.

“Customized Honda cars factor strongly into SEMA history and are a big part of Honda’s 50 years in America,” said Bruce Smith, vice president of Parts Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With a growing accessory lineup, now including MUGEN kits for the Accord sedan and Fit, Honda is committed to supporting personalization of our vehicles into the future.”

A 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today, along with the announcement that, on November 11th, Honda will make a complete line of MUGEN accessories available for the Accord Sedan on an a la carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Accord will include: 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side spoiler, rear under-spoiler, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a distinctive front emblem. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to one of five popular Accord sedan colors: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4091103SEMA-Show

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YOKOHAMA (Oct. 23, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is proud to announce that its much-loved sports car, NISSAN Fairlady Z, has won the Most Fun Award, one of the most coveted categories of Car of the Year Japan 2009-2010.

The Car of the Year Japan winners were announced at the Car of the Year Japan Special Exhibition commemorating its 30th Anniversary located at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. Voting and final counting of votes were conducted on October 21 with the awards presented on the October 22nd, 2009. 

The NISSAN Fairlady Z celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The car, first introduced in 1969, has gained fans worldwide for its fun-to-drive characteristic and evolving style through the years.

This is the second time the Fairlady Z series has bagged the Car of the Year Japan’s Most Fun Award since 2002-2003.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091023-01-e.html

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YOKOHAMA (Oct. 21, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the release of the latest version of the Nissan GT-R, which goes on sale on December 7th at Nissan dealers nationwide in Japan. The updated GT-R receives a number of enhancements, including a revised navigation system, recalibrated suspension settings and an improved-flow catalyst system. It is scheduled to go on sale in other global markets beginning next spring.

Since its introduction in the Japanese market in December 2007, the Nissan GT-R has gone through continuous evolution, remaining on the cutting-edge of multi-dimensional performance. The GT-R has also been acclaimed globally, winning more than 50 top awards in various categories since launch. Nissan also supports GT-R owners with exceptional after-sales service.

The latest revisions to GT-R include a new HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system with enhanced entertainment functions. A USB port with iPod®*1 connectivity allows the driver and passengers to enjoy their favorite music in the car, creating an even more pleasant interior environment. *2

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091021-01-e.html

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