Tokyo International Exhibition Center
East Exhibition Hall
BMW Press Conference
Pressroom
On November 30, 2011 (Wednesday), 42nd Tokyo Motor Show’s press briefing was held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (nicknamed Tokyo Big Sight). For the first time in 24 years, the event was held in Tokyo proper (previously held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba prefecture) and is scheduled to last for 10 days including the special guest day. Although it is somewhat shorter than the previous show which was 13 days, the number of exhibitors greatly increased from 109 to 171 companies. In addition, while a number of Western exhibitors cancelled their participation at the 2009 event, and only Alpina and Lotus displayed their products at the show, this time Renault, Daimler, VW, Audi, Porsche, BMW, PSA and other European manufacturers returned to the event.
Fuel efficient vehicles catch the visitor’s eye at many booths. A wide range of next-generation environmentally-sound hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles are displayed as practical models, in addition to fuel efficient technologies of gasoline vehicles.
While automakers focus on the announcement of world premiere and other new models, Toyota Motor Corporation president Toyoda Akio emphasized the company’s willingness to overcome current hardships namely the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and flood damage in Thailand. The strong emotional appeal regarding Toyota’s kuruma zukuri (car engineering) direction was impressive.
December 1, 2011
Japanese Automakers
Toyota
Nissan
Honda
Mitsubishi
Suzuki
Daihatsu
European Automakers
Volkswagen
Audi
Other Exhibitors
Denso
FOURIN
Mitsubishi Motors: President and Representative Director Masuko Osamu’s press briefing
Mitsubishi Motors: Unveiling the PX-MiEV
Mitsubishi Fuso: President and CEO Albert Kirchmann appears riding the Canter E-cell
Mitsubishi Fuso: Albert Kirchmann (at speakers’ stand) and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG Andreas Renschler (entering)
Audi: In preparation for press briefing
Audi: Japan national team coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s guest appearance
Japanese Brands
Toyota: World premiere of the FCV-R fuel-cell concept model
Toyota: Aqua new compact hybrid model launched on December 1
Nissan: World premiere of the Pivo 3 compact electric concept model for future cities
Nissan: Esflow electric sports car model
Honda: EV-Ster next-generation electric sports concept model
Honda: New (4th generation) CR-V launched in December 2011
Mazda: Takeri based on Mazda’s new design theme Kodo or "Soul of Motion"
Mazda: CX-5 fully based on Skyactiv technology
Subaru: BRZ new sports model scheduled to be launched in spring 2012
Subaru: World premiere of the Advanced Tourer Concept model
Mitsubishi: Mirage global compact car scheduled to be launched in 2012
Suzuki: Regina concept model
Daihatsu: Pico two-seater electric commuter model
Lexus: GS450h scheduled to be launched in the beginning of 2012
Import Brands
Volkswagen: World premiere of the Passat Alltrack crossover model based on the Passat Variant
Mercedes-Benz: F125! fuel-cell concept model
BMW: World premiere of the ActiveHybrid 5 5-serieshybrid sedan model
Audi: World premiere of the A1 Sportback
Citroën: Third model of the DS series DS5
Land Rover: Japan premiere of the Range Rover Evoque