Hybrids, FCVs, Oddities Abound

TOKYO — Japanese auto makers are giving Detroit a case of the cold sweats by launching a raft of new products that could pump up their already-ballooning market share, at the expense of the U.S. Big Three.

But make no mistake: The 37th annual Tokyo Motor Show was a chance for Japanese auto makers to demonstrate that their ambitious growth plans will not ignore their home market, despite a recession that has stalled vehicle sales for more than a decade. The auto makers used Asia/Pacific's largest automotive exhibition to showcase a host of concepts and vehicles soon rolling into production.

Toyota's Fine-N concept is a fuel-cell hybrid that can travel 300 miles (483 km) on a single tank of compressed hydrogen. The car employs a 25-kW motor at each wheel, thus offering independent, 4-wheel control of steering, acceleration and deceleration. Its compact fuel-cell stack, a Toyota original, is stored under the floor, along with a lithium-ion storage battery and three hydrogen storage tanks.

Toyota's bug-like midget PM concept bordered on the bizarre but quickly gained the curiosity of attendees. Its wheelbase extends to full length (104.3 ins. [265 cm]) when running at maximum speed or shortens to 69.1 ins. (175.5 cm) when parked or maneuvering through city traffic.

A luxury sedan, the LF-S concept well could join Toyota's Lexus lineup one day. And the LF-X cross/utility vehicle, called the HPX when shown at the New York show in April, inches closer to production. The Lexus brand launches in Japan in August 2005.

Honda unveiled the sleek, mid-engine HSC high-performance concept. With a DOHC V-6 producing more than 300 hp, HSC likely is a peek at the replacement for the NSX supercar, due next year.

Honda unveiled three other concepts, including the carbon-composite-bodied IMAS and the fuel-cell-powered KIWAMI sedan. A prototype passenger van, the ASM, could be Honda's next hybrid vehicle. It has seating capacity for eight and is powered by a new V-6 linked to the auto maker's latest-generation Integrated Motor Assist system.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s Fuga luxury sedan is fast approaching production as the next-generation Infiniti M45, combining a sporty exterior with roomy interior. The quasi-midship concept is based on the FM platform that was used for the '01 Skyline and later adopted by the 350Z.

Nissan's Effis commuter concept has a fuel cell as its main power source. Stack, inverter and compact lithium-ion battery all are fitted below the floor. Plastic is used extensively throughout the body as is aluminum — electrolytically colored in order to cut weight.

Mazda Motor Corp.'s Ibuki is a concept that portends the future MX-5 (Miata) sports car. The no-frills 2-seater features a rigid twin-backbone body and front-mounted engine. Mazda also displayed the experimental RX-8 Hydrogen RE, featuring a hydrogen/gasoline fuel system and powered by a modified Renesis rotary engine.

Also worth noting at Tokyo were Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s 0.66L SE-RO boxy “lifestyle” vehicle, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru B9 Scrambler hybrid-electric vehicle and Suzuki Motor Corp.'s S-Ride mini 2-seater.

General Motors Corp. plans to launch eight vehicles for the Japanese market, including the Cadillac XLR sports coupe and SRX CUV, in 2004. XLR is expected to sell for ¥11.5 million ($105,000).

GM also brings to Japan the front-wheel-drive Chevy Optra 4-door hatchback and Epica sedan, which are based on GM Daewoo Automotive & Technology Co. vehicles. Beginning in January, sales of the U.S.-built Astro minivan will begin.

Ford Motor Co. sold only 8,000 vehicles in Japan in 2002, but the U.S. auto maker, in the second quarter of 2004, adds the Fiesta compact, with first availability of an automatic transmission.

Further spice comes from the Fiesta Rallye Concept, a 1.6L 206-hp Fiesta-based rally car that Ford plans to race in the Junior World Rally Championship.

Also in the Ford family, Volvo Cars debuts the all-new S40 sedan, which the company expects to compete in the lower luxury segment against the Audi A4 and A3 and to lure some traditional customers of Volkswagen AG and Honda.

The Chrysler Group adds three products to its Japanese lineup: the Crossfire coupe, PT Cruiser Cabrio and 300C sedan.

Jeep is driving Chrysler's success in Japan, with Grand Cherokee deliveries up 49.4% so far in 2003 vs. like-2002. At Tokyo, Chrysler unveils its Jeep Treo concept “urban mobility vehicle,” powered by two electric motors.

Volkswagen, which shipped its first cars (108 Beetles) to Japan from Germany in 1953, launches its fifth-generation new Golf for Japan in mid-'04.