FOCUS: Tokyo Motor Show to test Japan's long-standing lead in eco-cars+

TOKYO, Oct. 12 Kyodo -
Even though most foreign car makers will be absent, the upcoming Tokyo Motor
Show is still likely to be closely watched to gauge the accelerating shift
toward smaller and energy-saving cars as a way to curb global warming.

But as automakers in the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia close
the gap with Japanese counterparts in the push for green cars, domestic
carmakers say they are facing a growing challenge to add additional value to
their products beyond their pioneering fuel efficiency.
''It's clear that we have to have fuel efficiency, affordability and
compactness,'' Hiroshi Kobayashi, Honda Motor Co.'s director in charge of
domestic operations, said.
''Fuel efficiency will become the norm,'' he said. ''That will be the main
battleground, but we need a product strategy that can match different customer
lifestyles.''
The test comes as foreign automakers shift their attention from a shrinking
Japanese market to roaring demand in China, which is soon likely to overtake
the United States as the world's largest auto market.
Due to the global economic downturn, only 108 companies including just two
foreign automakers -- Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH of Germany and Group
Lotus plc of Britain -- will take part in this year's 41st Tokyo Motor Show.
That compares with 241 companies, including 26 foreign automakers, at the
previous auto show in 2007.
Among the 39 world premieres expected at the biannual event, Toyota Motor Corp.
will showcase its full-electric 2.7-meter-long vehicle -- FT-EV II -- which is
more compact than its ultra-mini iQ car.
The FT-EV II, which seats four, has a quirky, futuristic design. It uses a
joystick instead of a steering wheel and dispenses with foot pedals. It is
designed mostly for city use and can travel over 90 kilometers on a single
charge with a top speed over 100 km per hour.
Nissan Motor Co. will also reveal an experimental electric car -- the Land
Glider -- that can tilt up to 17 degrees as it corners like a motorcycle. The
light and compact vehicle with a cocoon-like body is powered by lithium-ion
batteries, features two in-line seats and is equipped with a high-tech
anticollision system.
And Honda will unveil another urban-use, small electric vehicle -- the EV-N --
with a retro, square look. The four-seater has a solar panel in the roof and an
experimental communication system to transmit information from car to car and
from car to human.
''With the hype over reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the combination of
'eco' and small can only strengthen rather than weaken,'' said Yasuaki Iwamoto,
an auto analyst at Okasan Securities Co.
Despite these EV concept models, the near-term focus for Toyota and Honda is
likely to be gas-electric hybrids with Toyota planning to lease its Prius
plug-in hybrid on a limited basis, mainly to corporate customers, from the
year-end, and Honda preparing to launch the CR-Z sports car hybrid next
February.
Both concept models will be displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show, which will be
held from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4.
''The important thing is to emerge from oil dependence as early as possible,''
Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in a recent speech. ''I believe it is our
mission to spread these hybrid cars.''
Meanwhile, Nissan will concentrate on its zero-emission strategy with next
year's rollout of its medium-sized family sedan, the ''Leaf'' in Japan, the
United States and Europe.
And those who have lagged behind in the development of hybrids and EVs or have
opted not to compete with bigger rivals are polishing their internal-combustion
engines to achieve top-class fuel efficiency matching even hybrids.
Mazda Motor Corp. plans the world premiere of its next-generation gasoline and
diesel engines and an automatic transmission with reduced weight and fuel
consumption. It will also show its ''Kiyora'' concept compact car, which uses
the new gasoline engine and auto transmission to achieve fuel efficiency of 32
km per liter, as well as its ''i-stop'' idle-stop system.
Daihatsu Motor Co. will exhibit a concept model of its four-seater minivehicle
-- the e:S -- with fuel economy of 30 km per liter using an existing platform,
lighter materials and no electric motor.
''Not all cars will be replaced with hybrids and EVs in the near future and
there is still demand for gasoline cars centering on emerging countries,'' said
Shigeru Matsumura, an auto analyst at the SMBC Friend Research Center. ''So we
should also pay attention to these improved technologies.''
While Japanese automakers have long been at the forefront of the pursuit of
green technologies, the rapid spread of environmental consciousness worldwide
has intensified the competition in the field, threatening Japan's long-time
dominance of the eco-friendly car category.
''It is not necessarily bad since the global broadening of (green) technologies
and products will lead to market expansion,'' Okasan Securities' Iwamoto said.
''The question is whether there is a scenario in which (Japanese carmakers)
remain a front-runner despite that spread.''
As part of its efforts to stay in the front line, Toyota is unveiling a lighter
and environmentally-friendly compact sports car concept -- the FT-86 -- which
draws its inspiration from the carmaker's 1980s Corolla Levin sports coupe, the
AE86.
The FT-86, the first joint venture product with Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
after Toyota doubled its stake in the Subaru brand maker, has a 2-liter boxer
engine with horizontally-positioned pistons that gives it the low-slung look of
a racecar.
''When it comes to picking which vehicle to buy when eco-cars become the norm,
it has to be fun cars,'' Tetsuya Tada, Toyota's chief engineer in charge of the
FT-86, said at a sneak preview of the concept model.
Honda's two-seater CR-Z sports car hybrid is also geared toward drivers looking
for more excitement without having to turn to gas-guzzling cars.
''The options for eco-cars are still limited,'' Iwamoto said. ''The emergence
of various models will lead to creation of demand.''
And Toyota's chief executive adds that staying attuned to rapidly changing
consumer needs is the key to remaining competitive.
''Today's winner will become tomorrow's loser if you lag behind the changes,''
Toyoda said.
==Kyodo
2009-10-12 21:44:35