Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the China premiere of its next-generation powertrains based on the Mazda SKY Concept at the 2010 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, to be held from Friday, April 23 through Sunday, May 2, 2010. Mazda will exhibit the ‘Mazda SKY-G’ direct injection gasoline engine, the ‘Mazda SKY-D’ clean diesel engine and the ‘Mazda SKY-Drive’ highly-efficient automatic transmission. These all-new powertrains form the base of Mazda’s strategy to improve average fleet-wide fuel economy 30% by 2015 compared to 2008 levels.

Also featured on the Mazda stand will be the Mazda8 minivan*1 (known in Japan as the Mazda MPV). This popular vehicle will be locally produced in conjunction with FAW Car Co., Ltd., one of Mazda’s partners in China. It offers the best of all worlds: refined styling, outstanding driving performance and a premium, functional and comfortable cabin.

Mazda’s stand at the Beijing show will also feature the Mazda Kiyora concept car. Kiyora comes with a number of next-generation eco-friendly technologies, such as the SKY-G engine, and achieves outstanding fuel economy.

Mazda will display a total of 16 vehicles spanning nine model lines, including the Mazda6 Ruiyi (Mazda Atenza) five-door hatchback ahead of its forthcoming sales launch, the Mazda2 (Mazda Demio) and Mazda3 (Mazda Axela).

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2010/201003/100331a.html

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced two key milestones as the company gets closer to the December delivery of Nissan LEAF, the world’s first truly affordable, mass-market, all-electric zero-emission car. Specifically, the company announced the beginning of the pre-order process in Japan, as well as market-specific pricing for consumers. Other markets will announce their own pre-order process and pricing soon.

Speaking at the Nissan Global Headquarters, Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga announced that beginning April 1st consumers will be able to visit dealers throughout Japan to place their orders for Nissan LEAF. Mr. Shiga was joined for the announcement by Takao Katagiri, Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing in Japan, who announced pricing and explained the purchase process.

In Japan, the price of Nissan LEAF will start from 3.76 million yen. If current government incentives in Japan continue through fiscal year 2010, Nissan LEAF will be eligible for a 770,000-yen government incentive credit. With the incentive, the consumer’s net price for Nissan LEAF will be 2.99 million yen. Nissan LEAF will also be exempt from the car-weight tax and the car-acquisition tax. Nissan offers customers various purchasing methods, including a Nissan Auto Loan. For example, Nissan has designed a program that allows consumers to pay only 2.4 million yen as a down-payment and then a low monthly fee of 10,000 yen, which includes the cost for electricity. This approach makes Nissan LEAF not only radical in its technology, but also radical in its affordability for consumers.

Compared to cars in a similar class, Nissan LEAF’s cost of ownership is competitive. Driving Nissan LEAF requires only electricity. During six years of ownership, the electricity cost(*1) would be 86,000 yen. By contrast, the gasoline cost for a car in a similar class would be 670,000 yen.

“While a car in a similar class emits around 10 tons of CO2(*2) in the course of six years, Nissan LEAF produces zero emissions while driving,” said Mr. Katagiri. “Nissan LEAF is an attractive, affordable EV that will introduce a new way of mobility for our customers.”

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100330-01-e.html

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Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius.

Leveraging this agreement, Mazda plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY* engine that is currently under development, and develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan. Mazda is aiming to commence sales of a hybrid vehicle starting in Japan by 2013.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority, TMC began sales of the Prius, the world’s first mass-production hybrid vehicle, in 1997. Since then, over 2.3 million TMC-produced hybrid vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 70 countries and regions.

TMC recognizes the importance of benefiting the environment by encouraging the popularization of its eco-friendly technologies, which are represented by its hybrid systems. Accordingly, TMC has announced that it will consider requests from other companies to supply hybrid technology.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda aims to increase the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015, compared to its 2008 level. In order to offer all of its customers driving pleasure as well as outstanding eco-friendly and safety performance, Mazda is implementing a Building Block Strategy. Under this strategy, Mazda will enhance the core aspects of its vehicles—including engines, transmissions and weight reduction—and then progressively add electric devices such as idling stop, regenerative braking and hybrid systems.

Through this partnership, each company intends to offer technologies and products with outstanding environmental benefits to as many people as possible.

*Concept name for engines and transmissions that are intended for launch from 2011 onward.

Source: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/10/03/0329_2.html

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The Renault-Nissan Alliance (the Alliance) and the People’s Government of Wuhan (Wuhan Government) today in Yokohama, Japan, signed a definitive agreement to develop zero-emission mobility. Ruan Chengfa, mayor of Wuhan City, and Hiroto Saikawa, executive vice president of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., witnessed the signing.

“Wuhan is working towards becoming an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly city. Introducing electric vehicles (EVs) in the city is an important part of the process to make this happen,” said Ruan. “The agreement signed with Nissan is one significant step forward to realizing these goals.”

“The Alliance believes that increased use of EVs will significantly contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, air pollutants and use of petroleum fuel,” said Saikawa. “Nissan is pleased to become the first international auto manufacturer to sign an agreement with a Chinese partner. We believe Nissan will have a positive impact in Wuhan with this winning partnership to introduce and promote EVs here.”

Both parties will, based on the agreement, start the market feasibility study of EVs in Wuhan beginning in 2011 with 25 Nissan electric vehicles. The Wuhan Government will build 250 EV chargers to support vehicle operations in selected areas. Additionally, two quick chargers also will be installed in Wuhan. Further, Nissan and Wuhan Government will collaborate on education and awareness programs.

Wuhan is one of 13 pilot cities with alternative energy vehicle programs supported by the Chinese government. It is also the first city in China to enter into a partnership with the Alliance on the development of zero-emission mobility. The two parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding to promote the development of zero-emission mobility in China in April 2009.

NISSAN LEAF will be the first vehicle to launch under this agreement. It is the world’s first affordable EV for the global mass market and will go on sale in Japan, the United States and Europe in late 2010. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, the medium-size hatchback comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer needs.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100325-01-e.html

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Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, has held a ceremony at its Manesar plant in the state of Haryana to celebrate production of one million cars in the fiscal year through March 2010.

Attendees at the ceremony included Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Indian Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ambassador of Japan to India Hideaki Domichi, Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava, and Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman and CEO, Osamu Suzuki.

Osamu Suzuki commented: “Maruti Suzuki is Suzuki Motor Corporation’s biggest subsidiary, and its production has reached a volume comparable with that of our operations in Japan. The Indian market can be expected to continue growing, so Suzuki Motor Corporation will make every effort to enable Maruti Suzuki to offer cars with even higher quality at affordable prices. Competition in India is going to intensify, so we look to our partners here to work with us and support us more closely than ever.”

Maruti Suzuki also looks set to top one million units in terms of overall sales (sales in India and exports) this fiscal year.

Source: http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2010/0323.html

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The opening round of SUPER GT, the “SUZUKA GT 300km RACE” took place at Suzuka Circuit on Sunday, March 21st. Qualifying 10th, the HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R (#24 Joao Paolo de Oliveira / Hironobu Yasuda) rose to the top in the middle of the race, and extended that lead in the latter half without any risk. Following victory last year at Okayama International Circuit, this marks the second consecutive year with opening round wins for the team.

After a long off-season wait, some 31,000 race fans were on hand for the opening round of the SUPER GT season. With occasional rain falling from the dark clouds overhead, accidents such as spins and contact occurred right from the beginning when the rain was heaviest. After crashing in the previous day’s official qualifying session, driver Oliveira avoided all the carnage in the HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R to rise to 4th place by lap 2 in a car had taken all night to repair. Shortly after, a major accident at the first corner on lap 10 brought out the Safety Car for five laps. With the race restarted, more rain falling ensured the difficult conditions continued.

However, the #6 SC430, the #1 SC430 and the #24 GT-R engaged in a fierce battle in the unforgiving conditions, with the #24 GT-R rising to third. When the bulk of cars made their pit stops to switch drivers, the #24 GT-R rose to the premier position, extending that lead until lap 34 when Yasuda took the wheel. In addition, following the orders of team director Masahiko Kondo to not change tyres, the car returned to the track still in first place. From there, Yasuda set stable lap times for the remaining 18 tours, never allowing anyone to get close until he crossed the finish line in the top spot after 52 laps.

The MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#23 Satoshi Motoyama/Benoit Treluyer) was the strongest of the GT-Rs, starting the race from third on the grid. On the opening lap, while Treluyer was running fourth, the wet track surface saw him spin off at the first corner. Although he immediately got back on track, his position dropped gradually. Running in eighth after the Safety Car period, he made an earlier than scheduled pit stop on lap 19, handing the car over to teammate Motoyama. From that point Motoyama ran in tenth, rising to ninth in the later stages, rising to eighth by the flag. Valuable championship points were accrued.

Qualifying 6th, the CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R (#12 Tsugio Matsuda/Ronnie Quintarelli) spun immediately after the start at Turn 1 in the rainy conditions, falling to ninth. Then after completing lap 10, the car suddenly slowed. Starting driver Quintarelli had to pull the car to the side of the track. Despite trying to restart the car, his efforts were in vain and he retired.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100322-01-e.html

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., further underlined its commitment to zero emission leadership today by announcing that the Nissan LEAF will be manufactured at its plant in Sunderland, UK.

Nissan LEAF – the first in a range of forthcoming Nissan electric vehicles (EVs) – is the world’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car and embodies Nissan’s vision for an environmentally sustainable future for road transport.

Nissan also said that construction of its advanced lithium-ion battery plant, announced last year, will begin this April. The facility, which will be located at Sunderland, will have a production capacity of 60,000 units a year and will start manufacturing batteries in 2012 for both Nissan and its Alliance partner Renault.

The production of Nissan LEAF and the batteries represents a total investment of more than 420 million GBP (468.2 million euros) in the Sunderland Plant and is expected to maintain about 2,250 jobs at Nissan and across the UK supply chain. The investment will be supported by a 20.7 million GBP (23.1 million euros) Grant for Business Investment (GBI) from the UK Government and a proposed finance package from the European Investment Bank of up to 220 million euros (197.3 million GBP).

The UK’s Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “This investment is a fantastic vote of confidence in the Sunderland plant and its excellent workforce. The automotive sector is of key importance to the UK. It supports R&D, technological innovation, skills and a supply chain that’s a mainstay of the wider manufacturing sector.

“Today’s news from Nissan, with support from government, shows that by working together we can achieve our aim of making the UK a world-leader in ultra-low carbon vehicles.”

Andy Palmer, senior vice president at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and responsible for the company’s global EV strategy, said: “The world is at the dawn of a new era in automotive transport. Nissan LEAF, which will go on sale later this year, is a five-seater hatchback that offers the same space, practicality and performance of a similar car in its class – minus the tailpipe emissions.”

“Thanks to the UK’s firm commitment to a low carbon future in terms of infrastructure, customer incentives and educational programmes, Nissan LEAF will be built at Sunderland, making the UK the third country in the world to produce this revolutionary car.”

Production of Nissan LEAF will begin in Oppama, Japan later this year followed by Smyrna, Tennessee, USA in 2012. Sunderland will come on-line in early 2013 with an initial annual production capacity of about 50,000 units.

The three production sites will support the sales launch of the model, which begins in late 2010 in Japan, the United States and selected European markets, ahead of global mass marketing from 2012.

Nissan and its Alliance partner Renault are the only automakers committed to mass marketing pure electric vehicles on a global scale and together have announced production capacity of 500,000 units per year. To date, the Alliance has entered into more than 50 partnerships worldwide with countries, cities, organisations and other key stakeholders to prepare the markets and infrastructure for the successful adoption of EVs around the world.

Work to integrate Nissan LEAF into Sunderland’s manufacturing process will begin in 2012. The car will be launched on the plant’s ‘Number 2′ production line alongside the recently unveiled Juke compact crossover car, which enters production in August 2010.

Nissan will continue to work in partnership with local and national government in preparation for the UK sales launch of Nissan LEAF in early 2011.

Last December, Nissan and Regional Development Agency One North East signed a definitive agreement on zero emission mobility. The agreement includes the development of a regional network of charging points, supply of Nissan LEAF to the region from early 2011 and a range of incentives for early adopters of EVs, such as a period of free charging and use of dedicated EV lanes.

Although zero-emission vehicles are the centerpiece of Nissan’s product strategy, the company is also investing in a portfolio of low-emission technologies (called PureDrive) such as clean diesels, efficient internal-combustion engines and hybrids.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100318-01-e.html

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NISSAN TECHNOLOGY SQUARE”, jointly organized by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. kicks off today at Bondi Junction shopping mall in New South Wales. Nissan will showcase the automotive technologies to the public from March 16 to March 20.

Event logo for “NISSAN TECHNOLOGY SQUARE”

At the Nissan Technology Square, Nissan will showcase how the company’s automotive technologies address the environment, safety and innovation. Nissan’s new electric vehicle, LEAF, will be on display for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors can experience examples of Nissan’s innovation and the future of automobiles through the exhibition, interactive displays and demonstrations.

“We aim to start introduction of LEAF in Australia by 2012. Our aim is for the Australian people to gain more awareness of Zero-emission mobility while enjoying LEAF as well as our advanced and friendly technologies. Both environment and safety are important factors for Nissan not only as an automotive company but as a citizen in a sustainable society,” said Dan Thompson, Managing Director of Nissan Australia.

Australia joins other major world economies like India, Dubai and Korea in staging Technology Square. At the exhibition booth, Nissan is going to hold programs for university students to share Nissan’s current and advanced automotive technologies.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100315-01-e.html

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Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has delivered a top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) generating system with a capacity of 9,840 kW to Sumitomo Metals (Kokura), Ltd. The system will be used to replace Sumitomo Metals’ aging TRT generating system currently employed in its second blast furnace in order to boost capacity. The new system harnesses the full power of Kawasaki’s state-of-the-art technology to enhance efficiency.

The TRT generating system is driven by exhaust gas pressure generated from the steelworks’ blast furnace which is converted into electricity via a turbine. This energy-saving system also features noise reduction and dust removal functions that work while gas passes through the turbine. Since TRT generating systems are equipped with a range of environmentally friendly features, they have been adopted for all large blast furnaces in Japan.

The Kawasaki TRT generating system is unique. It employs the turbine’s variable stator blades to control the blast furnace’s top pressure. Instead of using the conventional governor valve to control top pressure, this system automatically adjusts the angle of the blades to control the gas flow rate from the blast furnace. Despite the blast furnace’s constantly changing gas flow rate and pressure, this method delivers efficient, low-noise power generation with minimal energy loss.

Kawasaki is a leading manufacturer of TRT generation systems and has supplied a total of 46 units worldwide. That total includes 26 in Japan and 20 overseas, one of which boasted the world’s largest output of 34,480 kW at the time of delivery.

Kawasaki continues to move forward with a focus on providing TRT generation systems and other energy efficient products that make a smaller environmental footprint.

Source: http://www.khi.co.jp/ba/2010data/ba_c3100316_1.html

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Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (NMT) today celebrated the start of production for the all-new Nissan March, a global compact vehicle. More than 200 guests and employees were at the kick-off event, which included representatives from the Thai government, including Trirong Suwanakiri, deputy prime minister.

Officially launching March 26 at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2010, the Nissan March will be the first model offered for sale under Thailand’s “eco-car” program, created to encourage the development of energy-efficient vehicles.

To receive eco-car designation, requirements for low fuel consumption and emissions must be met, as well as passenger safety standards for front and side impact under the stringent standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE regulation 94 and 95). The Thai eco-car program is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry’s Board of Investment, which was successful in establishing Thailand as a manufacturing hub for pickup trucks.

“With an increasing vehicle population in Thailand and valid concerns about higher pollution levels in cities across the country, we’re introducing a product that will have fewer CO2 emissions and less environmental impact,” said Toshiyuki Shiga, COO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “Very importantly, too, producing and selling the eco-friendly Nissan March in Thailand, as well as exporting it to other countries in the Asian and Oceania markets, will create jobs and contribute to the country’s progressive auto industry development,” added Shiga, who attended the event.

The start of production for March positions NMT as a center for excellence in manufacturing, R&D and customer care. Thailand will join China, India and Mexico as one of Nissan’s global manufacturing hubs for Nissan March (known as the Micra in Europe and other countries), which ultimately will be offered in 160 world markets.

Nissan March is built on a new versatile platform, the V-platform, and is designed to have broad appeal to customers in both developed and emerging markets. The designers in Japan worked to create a vehicle that would convey agility and robustness in the design. On this, they delivered. As well, March is a reliable, stylish and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. The compact hatchback, with its affable appearance, also is engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-leading fuel efficiency. The newly developed March powertrain features a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine with an output of 79PS (108Nm) and 120g/km CO2 emissions (under UNECE regulation 101). March is available with a five-speed manual transmission or an all-new continuous variable transmission (CVT).

“The all-new March will simplify city life,” said Toru Hasegawa, NMT president. “March is a smart eco-car for people who enjoy their daily drives. New March drivers in Thailand will be pleased as well with the car’s modern and roomy interior and the many user-friendly technologies. It’s really the right car at the right time for this market.”

Dealers will accept customer bookings for Nissan March starting tomorrow, and vehicle delivery will start within a few weeks for the five-speed manual transmission version. Delivery of the March with CVT will begin in early June.

Priced from 375,000 baht to 537,000 baht, March will be sold through the NMT dealer network across Thailand.

As part of its mid-term business plan (named “Revolution 2012″) announced last October, NMT has targeted a more than 10 percent market share for Thailand. The company expects to achieve this mainly through the success of the eco-car project, launch of at least one new vehicle every year through 2012 and continuing quality improvements in the sales network. NMT FY2009 sales are expected to total 34,000 units, an increase of 22 percent versus FY2008. The company plans to sell 48,000 vehicles in FY2010, including 20,000 units of March.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100312-01-e.html

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