It worths taking a look at the website of the Japan Car Exhibition and if you live in Paris (November 1 - 9, 2008 ) or London (November 29, 2008 - April 19, 2009 ), it definitely worths visiting. I have extracted some interesting info and posted below:
"Although the history of cars in Japan began with an attempt to emulate the West's automotive technology and culture, the context of Japanese lifestyles and Japan's particular route to industrial development has given Japan's cars their own unique characteristics and individuality. This exhibition presents these characteristics, consolidating them into three specific perspectives.
The most straightforward way to reduce the impact of cars on the environment is to make smaller cars. Simplicity is the starting point for Japanese aesthetics, and Japan has a distinct category of mini-vehicles - also known as light cars, kei cars, or micro-cars. Mini-vehicles need to fit within a length restriction of 3.40 m, width of 1.48 m and height of 2.00 m, and have an engine no larger than 660 cc. These cars are very small, so instead of designs that convey status or aerodynamic shapes that give an impression of speed, compliance with these regulations has resulted in cars with clear design concepts based on efficiency as a means of transportation. Tiny cars can be found around the world, but those in Japan are distinctive for being tightly packed with sophistication and advanced performance. Even with cars that do not meet the mini-vehicle parameters, Japan has excelled in smallness, creating the four-seater premium car with one of the world's smallest turning circles, and the two-seater sports car with the world's largest production record. Japan has also produced agile 4x4 vehicles that use lightness and compactness instead of power to cope with off-road conditions. The exhibition demonstrates the wisdom behind this smallness that is taken to extremes in Japan cars.
A second characteristic of Japan cars is that they have led the world in producing mature technology for the shift to alternative energies. Three different approaches are presented here—electricity, hydrogen-powered fuel cell, and hybrid systems that use either gasoline or electricity according to requirements. These technologies have each been developed to the stage of practical application in Japan cars, and are already mass-prodeced. The exhibition presents a small electric car that can run for 160 km after charging overnight simply by plugging into a domestic power supply, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle that is now available on lease for use in combination with hydrogen refuelling stations that utilize solar energy. Hybrid cars are already in practical use worldwide. The successful achievement of these environmental technologies surely results from Japan's background, including the experience of horrific air and water pollution in the wake of rapid economic growth, and the country's lack of oil reserves, meaning that it suffers whenever oil prices are high."
"Although the history of cars in Japan began with an attempt to emulate the West's automotive technology and culture, the context of Japanese lifestyles and Japan's particular route to industrial development has given Japan's cars their own unique characteristics and individuality. This exhibition presents these characteristics, consolidating them into three specific perspectives.
The most straightforward way to reduce the impact of cars on the environment is to make smaller cars. Simplicity is the starting point for Japanese aesthetics, and Japan has a distinct category of mini-vehicles - also known as light cars, kei cars, or micro-cars. Mini-vehicles need to fit within a length restriction of 3.40 m, width of 1.48 m and height of 2.00 m, and have an engine no larger than 660 cc. These cars are very small, so instead of designs that convey status or aerodynamic shapes that give an impression of speed, compliance with these regulations has resulted in cars with clear design concepts based on efficiency as a means of transportation. Tiny cars can be found around the world, but those in Japan are distinctive for being tightly packed with sophistication and advanced performance. Even with cars that do not meet the mini-vehicle parameters, Japan has excelled in smallness, creating the four-seater premium car with one of the world's smallest turning circles, and the two-seater sports car with the world's largest production record. Japan has also produced agile 4x4 vehicles that use lightness and compactness instead of power to cope with off-road conditions. The exhibition demonstrates the wisdom behind this smallness that is taken to extremes in Japan cars.
A second characteristic of Japan cars is that they have led the world in producing mature technology for the shift to alternative energies. Three different approaches are presented here—electricity, hydrogen-powered fuel cell, and hybrid systems that use either gasoline or electricity according to requirements. These technologies have each been developed to the stage of practical application in Japan cars, and are already mass-prodeced. The exhibition presents a small electric car that can run for 160 km after charging overnight simply by plugging into a domestic power supply, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle that is now available on lease for use in combination with hydrogen refuelling stations that utilize solar energy. Hybrid cars are already in practical use worldwide. The successful achievement of these environmental technologies surely results from Japan's background, including the experience of horrific air and water pollution in the wake of rapid economic growth, and the country's lack of oil reserves, meaning that it suffers whenever oil prices are high."
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