Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo Motor Show 2007

The Tokyo Motor Show (東京モーターショー) is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, and normally sees more concept cars than actual production car introductions which is the reason why the auto press see the show as one of the motorshow's big five (along with Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt and Paris).

The show, then called All Japan Motor Show was first held in an outdoor venue called Hibiya Park, the show was considered a success with 547,000 visitors over ten days and 254 exhibitors displaying 267 vehicles, but of the amount of vehicles only 17 of them were passenger cars as the show was dominated by commercial vehicles. In 1958, due to construction of a subway and underground parking lot near Hibiya Park, the show was shifted to the Korakuen Bicycle Racing Track. The show, as the previous year was marred by heavy rain, in 1959 the event moved indoor to its newly opened Harumi Showplace venue which was three times the size of its previous venue.

Onward from 1973, as the organisers decided not to host a show for the following year due to the international energy crisis and the show became a biennial event. The show relocated to its current venue, the Makuhari Messe in 1989 and due to high public demand for vehicles in everyday use and the fact concept cars dominate the show, the show returned to being an annual event from 2001 to 2005 with a show for passenger cars and motorcycle and another for commercial vehicles for the following year. However, from 2007 onwards the event has once again returned to a biennial schedule which combines both passenger and commercial vehicles, including motorcycles and auto parts.

1950s

The first Tokyo Motor Show was held in Hibiya Park from April 20 to April 29, 1954. Of the 267 vehicles on display, only seventeen were passenger cars, which reflected the paucity of personal family transport in Japan at the time. Trucks, buses, and motorcycles made up most of the exhibits. Approximately 547,000 visitors attended the show over the ten days, where the most prominent cars were the Austin A40, Hillman Minx and the newly introduced Renault 4CV, as well as domestic vehicles such as the Prince Sedan AISH, Toyota Toyopet Super RH; Datsun Passenger Delux (Model DB-5), Ohta Sedan and Van, and three-wheeled vehicles from Daihatsu.[1]

The second Tokyo Motor Show was held over twelve days, beginning on May 7, 1955. Almost 785,000 visitors attended, among them HIH Prince Akihito. The highlights of the passenger cars on display were the new Datsun 110, Toyopet Crown RS and Toyopet Master RR.[2]

Passenger cars began to assume the greatest prominence at the third Tokyo Motor Show which opened on April 20, 1956, thanks in great part due to an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry called the "people's car plan". Although its stated target of a four-seat car capable of 100 kilometres per hour and available for ¥150,000 was unrealistic — despite being twice the national average income at the time, it was still only one fifth of what a typical vehicle cost — it was given credit as the spur for domestic automakers to strive to lower their prices.[3]

Although only 527,000 people visited the fourth show between May 9 and May 19, 1957, significant vehicles made their debut; the first of the long running Toyota Corona and Prince Skyline were introduced, as well as a prototype of the Datsun Sports.[4]

The 1959 show opened on October 24. Notable premiers included Mitsubishi's first own passenger car, the Mitsubishi 500.

1960s

At the 1964 Motor Show, in September, the Nissan Fairlady 1500 (Datsun Sports 1500, SR311) and the Mazda Cosmo were introduced one month before the 1964 Summer Olympics .[5]

1973

1985

The 26th Tokyo Motor Show was held in October and November 1985.

1987

1989

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

The 2001 show saw the following introductions:

2004

In 2004, the theme was "Commercial and Barrier-free Vehicles".[7]

2005

Nissan GT-R Prototype at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show

The 2005 show saw the following introductions:

2007

The 2007 show saw the following introductions:

Alternative propulsion

Hybrid and electric vehicles dominated the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Concepts for new hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles from Japan's leading automakers are now on display at the Tokyo Motor Show. As one example, Toyota Motor Corporation introduced its 1/X (pronounced "one-Xth") concept vehicle, a Prius-like sedan that tips the scales at a third of the weight of the Prius and obtains double the Prius' fuel economy. The vehicle cuts its weight by using carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in its frame and boosts its fuel economy with a small plug-in hybrid powertrain that can be fueled with either gasoline or E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Toyota's other plug-in hybrid concept, the Hi-CT, is a small, boxy, two-door vehicle aimed at young car buyers. In addition, Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, introduced its next-generation hybrid sport utility vehicle, the LF-Xh, an all-wheel-drive vehicle powered by a V6 engine teamed up with a high-output electric motor.

General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai did not attend the show.

Among the other automakers, Honda Motor Company, Ltd., unveiled the CR-Z, a "next-generation lightweight sports car" that features Honda's hybrid electric drivetrain, and the PUYO, another small, boxy vehicle, powered by a fuel cell. Honda will also unveil the one-wheeled scooter transport, the Honda U3-X.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation introduced a Beetle-like electric vehicle with in-wheel electric motors, called the i MiEV Sport, which even has a solar panel on its roof. Nissan unveiled the Pivo 2, a small electric vehicle with a lithium-ion battery pack and wheel motors.

But Japanese automakers weren't the only ones unveiling clean car concepts in Tokyo. Audi arrived with its "Metroproject Quattro," a plug-in hybrid with a direct-injection, turbocharged, 150 horsepower (110 kW) gasoline engine mounted up front and a 30-kilowatt motor on its rear axle. The concept vehicle employs a lithium-ion battery pack that allows it to run on electric power only.

2009

Nissan Leaf exhibited at the 2009 Show.
Lexus LF-A exhibited at the 2009 Show.

The following were introduced at the 2009 show:

2011

2013

Yamaha Tricity Concept - Tokyo Motor Show 2013

References

  1. ↑ "The 1st Tokyo Motor Show (1954 . 4/20 - 4/29)", Tokyo Motor Show history
  2. ↑ "The 2nd Tokyo Motor Show (1955 . 5/7 - 5/18)", Tokyo Motor Show history
  3. ↑ "The 3rd Tokyo Motor Show (1956 . 4/20 - 4/29)", Tokyo Motor Show history
  4. ↑ "The 4th Tokyo Motor Show (1957 . 5/9 - 5/19)", Tokyo Motor Show history
  5. ↑ Flammang, James M. (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990. Iola, US: Krause Publications, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 0-87341-158-7.
  6. ↑ Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (10 March 1994). Automobil Revue 1994 (in German and French). 89. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 519. ISBN 3-444-00584-9.
  7. ↑ Thomas, Gerald (March 2005). "Tokyo Motor Show". New Mobility. ISSN 1065-2124. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
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Coordinates: 35°38′54″N 140°2′5″E / 35.64833°N 140.03472°E / 35.64833; 140.03472

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