First Tokyo Motor Show of the Twenty-First Century
TOKYO--Oct. 25, 2001--The 35th Tokyo Motor Show (Passenger Cars and Motorcycles), and the first of the twenty-first century, opened to members of the domestic and foreign media on October 24 and 25 in advance of the grand opening to the public scheduled for the 27th.
This year's exhibitors brought with them a number of new ideas for integrating IT and the automobile, and many had futuristic prototypes on display, sparking enormous interest among members of the press.
The 35th Tokyo Motor Show asked the question, "How will cars change in the new century?" It's answer, "Open the door and see!" Beginning October 27th, visitors to Makuhari Messe in Chiba will be able to do just that. This year's opening ceremony will be more subdued than in recent years and receptions have been scaled back or eliminated altogether because of the recent terrorist attack on the United States, but the show still brings all of the world's automakers together under one roof to display what cars will be like in the new century and provide information on the directions that can be taken. The theme of the show, "Open the door! The Automobile's Bright Future" symbolizes the many new advances that are just around the corner, particularly in environment-friendliness and information technology, two major areas of focus in the show. Visitors will see fuel cell cars and hybrid cars that are close to commercialization, compact cars competing for low-pollution and low fuel-consumption ratings, and futuristic cars loaded with IT. There is also a wealth of concept models showing what tomorrow's cars will be like, and sports models emphasizing design and driving pleasure.
Many of the cars on display are new models that are close to commercial launch, an area of a particular interest for visitors and an opportunity for automakers to generate demand. All in all, the 35th Tokyo Motor Show is a fitting start to the new century, an opportunity to explore how cars will be changing in the present, near future and longer-term.
Reporters flocked to the press center
When the gates opened at 9 a.m., journalists from around the world pushed through, trying to be the first to catch a story. More than 10,000 members of the press from Japan and around the world had registered for the show in advance. The press center provides them with easy, functional access to writing areas, personal computers, and telephones. This is the base from which information is transmitted throughout the world. It is also one of the most active areas in the show, with a constant stream of busy people coming through its doors.
Press briefings
Unique Concept Cars Lay Claim to the Future
Members of the international press were treated to several briefings during the day. The morning briefings featured four companies including Mazda; the afternoon, five companies including Toyota and Nissan. Below are the highlights from the morning briefings.
Press briefings began at 9:30 in the morning with Volkswagen, and moved from there to different exhibition booths. Each company was allotted 25 minutes.
This was an ideal opportunity to speak to the entire world, and the companies had obviously spent a great deal of time designing and refining their performances, trying to make the most of this chance to show new prototype concept models that illustrate where they link the relationship between human beings and automobiles is headed in the future.
In addition to the concept car reference exhibits, automakers also took the opportunity to display new models scheduled for launch in the next year so and made speeches on their expectations for renewed demand, hoping to revive consumer sentiment, which has been sluggish in the aftermath of the US terrorist attack.
The first briefing from a Japanese automaker came from Mark Fields, Representative Director and President of Mazda, announced that the company would be launching 16 new models in Japan, 11 in North America and 9 in Europe over the next three years. He emphasized that these new models would "bring back the spark." Mitsubishi Motor's President Takashi Sonobe and Rolf Eckrodt, Executive Vice President were accompanied on stage by a Director Olivier Boulay, who oversees passenger car design. The company unveiled "four new design concept cars that will be the most important step in the coming automotive revolution."
This year's exhibition booths are organized around groups, so GM executives were on hand for the Suzuki and Isuzu presentations. They emphasized the combined strength of the group as demonstrated by jointly-developed cars. Briefings by import car companies showed a desire to improve their brand images in Japan.
Opel said the main task before it in Japan was to sharpen its brand image and increase its sales. Ford announced that it would be reviving its famed Mustang and Thunderbird lines to improve its brand appeal. "This is more than just nostalgia. Look at the performance too!" it urged the press.
Volkswagen discussed its nationwide sales network and its expanded lineup. Together with Audi, it targets sales of 70,000 cars in Japan this year. Audi Japan's sales began to accelerate as soon as its new exclusive dealerships opened. During September, it posted a 51% year-on-year increase in sales. Worldwide sales were also up 11% for Audi between January and September 2001, a new record for the firm.
Daimler Chrysler was excited to be able to give the world its first glimpse of the "Willis 2," a new model Jeep on display for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Today's VIP
Detroit Motor Show Sponsors
Mr. Bill Cook, Next Joint Chairman
Mr. Rod Alberts, Executive Director
Managing Partner of the Michelin Group
Mr. Edouard Michelin
Oct.24th Press attendance : 7,200