Green Cars get together at 'Eco-Products 2008' exhibition

Japanese auto makers displayed their green cars at Eco-Products 2008, which took place at Tokyo Big Sight in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, from Dec 11 to 13, 2008.

Honda Motor Co Ltd's "Insight Concept," a new hybrid concept car slated for release in spring 2009, was drawing attention in particular. The company is planning to unveil the volume production model of the vehicle at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Motor Show) in January 2009. The new Insight will come with a 1.3L engine and a hybrid system.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI) presented electric vehicles (EVs). Nissan showcased a prototype EV based on its "Cube" compact car and used panels and dioramas in an effort to emphasize that EVs can change lifestyles.

Nissan is planning to strengthen its alliance with local governments and other industries to enhance the infrastructure for EVs and facilitate the use of them. The company will make an announcement about the EV project it is implementing with Yokohama City as early as February 2009, the company said.

Meanwhile, FHI displayed its "Plug-in Stella Concept," a new EV revealed at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July 2008.

As for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), Toyota Motor Corp exhibited the "FCHV-adv," which acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in June 2008. The fuel economy of this FCV was boosted by about 25% compared with the predecessor FCHV, by cutting the power consumption of system accessories and improving the regenerative braking system in addition to enhancing the performance of the fuel cells.

Furthermore, by employing a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, Toyota extended the range of the vehicle to approximately 830km per charge (when driving in the 10·15 mode, the value measured in house), more than double the range achieved by its predecessor.

At the exhibition, eight types of green cars, including the FCHV-adv, the Plug-in Stella Concept and Mitsubishi Motors Corp's "i MiEV" electric vehicle, were available for visitors to test drive.

Source: Tech-On

Nissan to showcase its Green Technologies at 'Eco-Products 2008'

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. will showcase its latest environmental technologies at Eco-Products 2008, the largest exhibition of environmentally friendly products and services in Japan, to be held from December 11 to 13, 2008 at the Tokyo Big Sight.

Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, the company aims to be a leader in zero-emission vehicles and is committed to produce real-world solutions to reduce C02 emissions. At Eco-Products 2008, Nissan will showcase its zero-emission EV prototype, which is powered by its advanced lithium ion battery. The exhibit visualizes Nissan's vision for sustainable mobility, to be spearheaded by the electric vehicle.

Visitors can test drive the Clean Diesel X-TRAIL 20GT, the recipient of the Eco-Products Award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism this year. The Clean Diesel X-TRAIL has been recognized for meeting with Japan's stringent "Post New Long-term Regulations".

Nissan will also highlight another award-winning technology - the CARWINGS eco-drive service - winner of the Chairperson's Award from the Eco-Products Steering Committee. Nissan's unique CARWINGS eco-drive service offers an innovative method to assist drivers achieve improved fuel efficiency by changing their driving habits.

1. Vehicle and Technology Exhibition

• Electric Vehicle Prototype

Nissan will showcase the EV prototype. This will be the first public glimpse of the EV prototype still under development.

• Nissan's Vision of Life with EV

Nissan, through a diorama and visual presentation will help visitors to visualize the concept of zero-emission mobility, with mass adoption of EV, utilization of clean energy, park and drive systems and non-contact charging as a way of life in the future.

• Clean Diesel

Display panels and cut-aways model of the M9R engine offer insights to how the clean diesel engine that powers the Nissan X-TRAIL works. The M9R engine meets Japan's strict "Post New Long-term Regulations" emission standards.

• CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

CVT delivers smooth shift transmission and improved fuel-efficiency. Nissan is ahead of competitors in expanding CVT across its product offering worldwide.

• "CARWINGS" Eco-driving Service

Demonstration of Nissan's eco-driving service available on Nissan's CARWINGS navigation system will be available. The service include driver rankings and eco-driving tips based on data provided by the system.

2. Eco-car Test-drive

Visitors can test-drive the Nissan X-TRAIL 20GT clean diesel.

Source: Nissan Motor Company Global Website

Honda to showcase the Insight Concept at 'Eco-Products 2008' exhibition in Japan

Honda will exhibit the Insight Concept at the Eco-Products 2008 exhibition. Honda will promote the "Honda Green Machine" theme enhancing the environmentally-friendly products appeal where mobility can exist without sacrificing the fun.

Source: Honda JP Press Information 2008

Mazda to showcase Eco-Tech at 'Eco-Products 2008' exhibition in Japan

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will exhibit its latest eco-friendly technologies aimed to reduce CO2 emissions even further at the Eco-Products 2008 exhibition over the period December 11 -13, 2008. Taking place at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, the exhibition is one of the largest environmental events in Japan. It is organized by the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) and the Nikkei newspaper group.

Mazda will display various eco-friendly technologies including its proprietary hydrogen rotary engine. The exhibition will also feature i-stop, Mazda’s independently developed engine start-stop system that is scheduled for launch in 2009. As well as enhancing fuel economy, the advanced i-stop system enables an extremely quick engine restart, ensuring drivers can resume their journey with no sense of delay.

Mazda aims to improve the fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average of 30 percent by 2015. Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda continues to advance its technology development in order to offer all its customers outstanding environmental and safety features as well as pure driving pleasure.

Mazda’s main exhibits:

i-stop (technology exhibit)

Mazda’s i-stop is an intelligent proprietary engine stop-start system that improves fuel economy by approximately 10 percent (in Japan’s 10-15 mode tests). The system precisely controls the positions of the pistons during engine shutdown, and then uses Mazda’s direct injection technology to perform a combustion restart. This returns the engine to idling speed in just 0.35 seconds (models with an automatic transmission), ensuring drivers experience a natural driving feel with no sense of delay. i-stop is the market-ready version of Mazda’s Smart Idle Stop System technology, and is scheduled for launch in 2009.

Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid (vehicle exhibit)

The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid houses a unique hybrid system that combines a hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor. It increases power output by 40 percent compared with the RX-8 Hydrogen RE and extends the hydrogen driving range to 200 kilometers. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is scheduled to begin commercial leasing in fiscal year 2008.

RX-8 Hydrogen RE (available for ride-a-longs)

The RX-8 Hydrogen RE is the world’s first commercially available hydrogen rotary engine (RE) vehicle. It has been sold under commercial lease contract in Japan since 2006. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a ride in the RX-8 Hydrogen RE at the “Eco-car and velotaxi test track.”

Weight reduction technologies (technology exhibit)

Reducing vehicle weight is a key method of improving fuel economy and dynamic performance. The display will include a new plastic molding technology that significantly reduces the amount of plastic resin used in parts, as well as various techniques that were used to make the all-new Mazda Demio (known overseas as the Mazda 2) approximately 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

Materials technologies (technology exhibit)

To demonstrate our efforts toward establishing a sustainable society, Mazda will exhibit various green technologies with significantly reduced environmental impact. These include Mazda’s proprietary bumper recycling technology that removes 99.9 percent of paint from recovered used bumpers, and plant-derived biomaterials that are suitable for use in vehicle interiors.

Source: Mazda Global Site