CHIBA CITY, Japan - Known for years as one of the premier auto shows of the world, Tokyo's annual event diminished substantially this year. At the 2007 show, nearly three dozen manufacturers from a variety of countries exhibited passenger cars. In October 2009, only 11 passenger-car makers set up displays, and all but three were Japanese makes. The three exceptions were European niche manufacturers that produce performance cars: Lotus, Caterham, and BMW Alpina.
Hyundai was scheduled to appear but cancelled those plans a few weeks before opening day. That meant no cars from South Korea, China, or North America. In fact, early in 2009, show organizers had considered abandoning the Tokyo event entirely. That's exactly what happened in Barcelona, Spain this year.
Because Tirekicking Today had not covered the Tokyo show before, some might think this was a strange year to cross the Pacific for the event. Because of all the turmoil within the automotive world, though, it's by no means certain that another opportunity will emerge. More important, Tokyo's show turned out to be as fascinating as expected. While similar to the European and major North American auto shows, Tokyo's version possesses its own character and a touch of delightful quirkiness, most evident in the concept models.
Tokyo's 13-day show took place at the sprawling Makuhari Messe convention center, several miles from the heart of Chiba City, near the shore of Tokyo Bay. Chiba is located about midway between Tokyo itself and the massive Narita airport. Two Press Days were scheduled, but news conferences for all the passenger cars took up only the first day, ending in early afternnoon. Day Two was devoted to parts suppliers and other ancillary industries.
Early reports had suggested that technology - especially battery-electric and hybrid powertrains - would be the Tokyo show's main attraction. That assumption proved to be correct. Most manufacturers focused on at least one alternative-fuel vehicle. This year's theme suggested the emphasis: "Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth."
Mitsubishi, which led off the show's news conferences, already had announced impending sales of its i-MiEV electric car. After company president Osamu Masuko was driven onstage in an i-MiEV, he advised that 600 of the battery-powered cars had been delivered to Japanese corporations and municipalities, since the announcement on June 5 (World Environment Day).
Tokyo showgoers also got to see an urban commercial-hauling offshoot called the i-MiEV Cargo van (right). During 2010, Masumo wants to see right-hand-drive i-MiEV cars going to individual motorists, at least in such countries as England, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Full-scale production for 11 European nations is slated to start at the end of 2010. No specific date has been established for arrival of the i-MiEV at U.S. dealerships.
Electric cars "have the potential to greatly change society and our daily lives," Masumo said. Mitsubishi even displayed a MiEV house, demonstrating a "near-future vision for an environmentally-friendly lifestyle made possible by the electric vehicle." Mitsubishi is "working toward making a sustainable society a reality," he added. "We believe that EVs are the 'ultimate eco-cars,' emitting zero CO2 while being driven."
Also at Mitsubishi's display space was a PX-MiEV concept plug-in hybrid wagon, intended for sale by 2013. Considered an "EV with a supporting engine," the PX-MiEV has four-wheel drive. Mitsubishi's EV technology has even been applied to an electric garbage truck, with an electric compactor. In addition to being silent, the garbage truck produces no emissions while operating.
Nissan officially unveiled its forthcoming Leaf electric car, which had made an initial appearance previously. Sales of the five-passenger. front-drive, battery-powered "everyday car" are scheduled to begin during 2010 in Japan, Europe - and the U.S. Mass marketing will not get underway until 2012, however.
"Our dream of a cleaner world is shaped by those who can [make it happen]," said president/CEO Carlos Ghosn. "The time is now for zero emissions." Referring to the materials used in production, Ghosn added that "our emphasis on recyclability extends to the cars themselves."
A far different sort of electric vehicle was featured at Nissan's display space, closer in configuration to a motorcycle than a passenger car. Built with a narrow body and strikingly futuristic shaping, the electric Land Glider (left) holds two persons in tandem: one passenger behind the driver. A static demonstration revealed that the Land Glider can lean like a motorcycle in turns. Amazingly, this far-from-conventional vehicle is rumored to be under consideration for production and sale.
On a more convenional note, Nissan announced that its new Fuga sedan will go on sale in Japan in December. A Hybrid version follows in the fall of 2010.
As expected, Toyota revealed a plug-in hybrid version of its Prius (which was named Japanese Car of the Year). Its goal: to put "automobile society in harmony with nature." A day earlier, the company had officially launched a Prius-cousin Lexus hybrid. The LF-CH concept exhibited at the Tokyo show is the first Lexus five-door hatchback hybrid.
Also at Toyota's display space was a sporty coupe concept called the FT-86 (right), developed with Fuji Heavy Industries. Even more dramatic was the LFA concept coupe from Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. Scheduled to go on sale in small numbers early in 2010, the LFA is the first supercar from Lexus. Targeting such exoticars as Ferrari and Lamborghini, the LFA contains a 552-horsepower V-10 engine, and will wear a $375,000 price tag. Only 500 will be built.
Honda emphasized its latest hybrid model: a sporty coupe called the CR-Z (left). Displayed previously in concept form, the CR-Z displayed at the Tokyo show - dubbed CR-Z Concept 2009 and described as "low, short, and wide" - is closer to production-ready. Powered by the combination of a 1.5-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine and Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, the CR-Z is the world first hybrid model with a six-speed manual transmission. A production version is expected to launch in Japan in February, then in Europe. Sales in North America are expected to begin next spring.
Since 1997, Honda has leased the EV Plus in Japan and the U.S. Among this year's displays were several battery-powered vehicles: an EVN electric commuter car, along with an EV-Cub electric motorcycle and an EV-Monpal personal mobility vehicle. Honda also exhibited U3-X mobility devices, using technologies developed by the ASIMO bipedal humanoid program.
Honda's central product in the alternative-fuel realm is the FCX Clarity, which has been leased in Japan and the U.S. since 2008, and is now undergoing trials in Europe. Honda has stated that "we believe that the fuel cell electric vehicle will be the ultimate form for automobiles in the future," because "it has advantages such as zero CO2 emissions in use, can travel considerable distances without refueling and can be quickly refueled." Despite that background in electric cars and fuel cells, president/CEO Takanobu Ito told journalists at the show that at this stage, "we believe Honda should prioritize hybrids." With that in mind, Honda also exhibited a Skydeck hybrid: design study with scissors-style front doors and sliding rear doors. Honda's motorcycle presentation included the VFR1200F, containing what Honda claims is the world's first dual-clutch transmission for two-wheelers. An EVE-neo electric commuter motorcycle also drew attention.
Subaru hasn't been as active as some Japanese competitors in hybrid and electric technology, but the company brought a hybrid-powertrain concept to Chiba City. Dubbed the Hybrid Tourer (left), the gasoline/electric van featured massive gullwing doors. Subaru says it will have a hybrid model on the market in 2012.
In addition to exhibiting a Kiyora design exercise, Mazda focused on powertrains: specifically, a new Sky series of engines. The Sky-G is Mazda's next-generation gas engine, developed to get Mazda2 gas mileage in a Mazda3-size car. That engine will launch in Japan in 2011. Mazda also exhibited a Sky D diesel that promises 20 percent greater fuel economy that the current 2.0-liter diesel engine. The diesel gets a global debut in Japan in 2012, combined with Mazda's new Sky Drive automatic transmission. President/CEO Takashi Yamanouchi advised that Mazda intends to improve fuel economy 30 percent by 2015.
Like Toyota, Suzuki is going the plug-in hybrid route, exhibiting a plug-in hybrid subcompact Swift, meant for "short day-to-day drives." When its battery runs low, a 660-cc gasoline engine turns on to charge the system. 
Suzuki also displayed a fuel-cell version of its SX4 model (right).
Takashi Nakayama, executive general manager of automobile engineering, noted that Suzuki's theme was "Small cars for a big future," adding that hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles are "under development." Environmental vehicles on display included the Burgman Fuel Cell scooter with a hydrogen tank, and a fuel-cell electric wheelchair that uses a methanol solution in a replaceable bottle.
Suzuki also is working on a hybrid-powertrain version of its new "flagship" Kizashi sedan, which will reach U.S. dealerships late in 2009.
Glamor and fashion played a role on the show floor, even if the number of manufacturers was modest this year. Lotus (left), for one, enlisted the services of an elegantly-gowned model to highlight its sport-car presentation.
Fashion of a different sort was evident at the Daihatsu display space, where two young ladies dressed as farmers or gardeners (right) posed alongside the company's "basket" utility vehicle. Daihatsu has been out of the American market for many years, and isn't likely to return. That might be unfortunate, as some of the cleverest, most delightfully imaginative designs and ideas at the show could be found in the Daihatsu area.
Like other auto shows outside North America, Tokyo offered showgoers an opportunity to test-drive vehicles on the premises. Cars weren't the only attraction, either. Quite a few motorcycle makers showcased their latest models, including Honda and Suzuki, as well as several less-familiar brands. Motorcycles also were available for test-rides.