Tokyo Auto Show Wrap Up

Paul Thompson writing for Japan Today submitted his take on this years Tokyo Auto Show.

"The cavernous Makuhari Messe complex in Chiba was once again filled with everything from rigs to runabouts, axles to accessories, as it hosted the 36th Tokyo Motor Show over six days around Halloween. This year was the second time the commercial vehicles sector has staged this, the only show of its kind in Asia, which alternates on a yearly basis with passenger cars. In all, 106 companies from seven countries were represented with over 300 vehicles on view across the exhibition area. Besides showcasing cutting-edge devices like hybrid power plants that are already making their way into passenger cars, the exhibition of big rigs was a dream show for wide-eyed boys—and their sons.

Truck sales may be stagnant here, but the rival design teams have been engaged in frenzied activity to help maintain an innovative competitive edge. “Minimize” is the industry maxim, and manufacturers were pulling out all the stops to sell the benefits of their efforts aimed at reducing truck design, production and operating costs, exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, noise levels and driver fatigue. On the increase are advanced safety features, after-sales service packages, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and mobility equality. Concept vehicles providing a close-up look at all the new technology were, as usual, much in evidence, while 27 world premieres—and nine first presentations in Japan—served to underline the event's standing in the industry calendar.

Subaru's America-bound Baja

The heavy mob The “Big Four”—Hino, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Nissan Diesel—are locked in intense domestic competition while vying for extra traction in the booming Chinese market. Industry leader Hino, which has a business alliance with Toyota, debuted its Profia Tractor ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) prototype with advanced features to enhance long-haul night driving safety. Following its March tie-up with Scania, Hino also displayed one of the Swedish company's tractor designs as a prelude to importing them in small numbers into Japan. Mitsubishi's Fuso brand, celebrating its 70th anniversary, encouraged visitors to “Meet the New,” including the Super Great FU that, by using an aluminum frame and single tires, has weight-watched away nearly 500kg. Isuzu was back with a new Gigamax leviathan, while Nissan Diesel showed off its Big Thumb behemoth variants. Of the foreign contingent, Volvo is hoping to make inroads into the Asian market with its mammoth but luxurious FH12/FM12 Globetrotter flagship series.

New and improved One trend much in evidence was trucks becoming more car-like, which was good news for show-goers not in the market for a big rig. Subaru's Baja, based on the maker's Legacy platform, boasted an open rear cargo space in which mountain bikes were perched. Daihatsu's Hijet Cargo, meanwhile, was more reminiscent of an ecology-minded suburban father's minivan than a delivery truck.

One bandwagon that all manufacturers are out of necessity jumping on is hybrid power, which is reaching new levels of refinement. Center stage in the battery/hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid category was the FCHV-BUS2 commuter bus, jointly developed by Hino and Toyota, which employs emission and noise reduction technology. Although it began road testing last month, the bus's debut will be far off—its entry into service won't be before 2010. Hino's distinctive Dutro Town Delivery refrigerated truck was also displaying its innovative design credentials, combining a new diesel engine with an electric motor, a combination also used in the Isuzu ELF Hybrid and Mazda Titandash Clean Diesel Hybrid. Marrying a gasoline engine to an electric motor are Toyota's Flappo community bus and the diminutive Daihatsu Hijet Cargo Hybrid van, which is also undergoing testing and has attained a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the conventional model.

Hino's Massive Dutro ‘Town Delivery'

Whereas most hybrid vehicles utilize both power units to get under way and then dispense with the electric motor, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) versions of both the ELF and Canter are able to employ only their electric motors during stealthy operations in residential areas. Nissan Diesel's alternative solution is to convert the heat energy from braking into motive power by means of a capacitor, a system used in both its Condor MK truck and non-step bus designs.

Isuzu made room for its futuristic FL-4 heavy truck technology demonstrator, which features a conical cab for optimum visibility and aerodynamics, large skirt fenders, and a forward-raked windshield to afford the driver an escape hatch.

Hino's prototype Blue Ribbon City Intelligent Public Mobility (try remembering that after a visit to a hospitality chalet) is truly a magic bus. A world first, it uses Bluetooth wireless technology to enable passengers to access information and even pay tolls via their cellular phones.

At the other end of the scale was a showstopper out of all proportion to its size. The superbly engineered and truly unique Honda Acty Compo multi-purpose trailer combination features third-axle-steering. Also debuting under the company's “Smart Working Mobility” banner were the Acty Sport and Mobility Spike Pro.

New additions to the “mobile business stations” trend of merging office and vehicle functions—already seen in the Suzuki Twin Mobile Office Car—were the Daihatsu UF mini prototypes and the intriguing single-seat Nissan BeeLine concept demonstrator.

Meanwhile… Honda did not miss the opportunity to show off its world-beating FCX fuel cell vehicle; Toyota unveiled its ALSV (Active-Life Support Vehicle) prototype with rally-style gear-shift lever and accelerator and brake controls integrated in the steering wheel; Isuzu displayed two versions of the TF pick-up, which made its debut at their plant in Thailand last May; and all manufacturers were again keen to showcase their “welfare” vehicles for paraplegic drivers.

211,100 members of the public attended this year and enjoyed the opportunity to ride in a rig along the adjoining test track or reminisce at the toy collectors stand. To assist them “Sense the Evolution,” this year's motto, the organizers also arranged a display of vintage commercial vehicles dating back to the '20s. In a show so firmly looking ahead to the future, it was comforting to see some of the names of today echoed in the past.