Shiotsu Autotrade Japan – President’s Blog

Isuzu, the Japanese truck maker – a leader in the Australian truck market has recently been rewarded for going green! Isuzu trucks,  has received the esteemed Green Award in Australia owing to the new environmental measures that it has implemented in its Melbourne operations.

This Green award is given to leaders who implement environmental schemes by embracing sustainable work practices and cutting costs.

Isuzu builds commercial trucks are truly environment friendly in many aspects.  They are amongst the worlds leading commercial vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers producing over a million diesel engines every year.

Isuzu’s pioneering diesel technologies have greatly enhanced  environmental benefits of using diesel engines.  This has accelerated the employing of Isuzu commercial vehicles and diesel engines in more than 100 countries.

Isuzu is pursuing an ambition of producing super-clean diesel engines which greatly improves the engine operational characteristics.  It is proving itself as a strong force for change towards environment  in the new epoch. The super clean engines combine the advantages of using diesel instead of internal combustion engines along with reduced PM emission and exhaust gases and a powerful performance.  This is done by comprehensive electronic control,integrating combustion optimization and  after treatment technology.  These are the three keys of the ICAS-’Isuzu Clean Air Solutions’ system.   The three key technologies boost power and minimize exhaust emissions.

Other Isuzu initiatives include installing energy saving lighting wherever appropriate, recycling plastics, covering paper, can, printing cartridges, setting higher temperatures for air conditioning hence drastically reducing power consumption. The carbon reduction workgroup of Isuzu developed these initiatives which resulted in a 20 percent reduction in overall energy consumption at its head office by the end of the year.  They ultimately want to be carbon neutral which is a very challenging task.

Isuzu’s green award also builds on its CNG powered models.  These are cleaner and more efficient than diesel contributing less to pollution of air from harmful particulate matter.

The vehicles which employ ‘super clean diesel engines are just as clean as most  gasoline powered vehicles. However the torque they offer is superior and they are more fuel economic. They also have lower NOx and CO2 emissions. No wonder the stage is set for them to replace engines powered by gasoline.

Isuzu’s diesel truck range stands at the vanguard of environment friendly performance. They have met stringent Euro 1V and V standards many years before they became legislation required.  It is great to see that Isuzu’s efforts have finally been rewarded.

Technorati Tags: Japanese truck, Isuzu trucks, diesel engines, environment friendly

The Mazda 6 is amongst the top competitors in the run for the most affordable sportiest and sexiest midsize cars.  This conclusion has been drawn based on the test drives, published reviews, and analysis of safety data and reliability of this popular car by US News Rankings.

The Mazda 6 2010 model has been entirely redesigned and revamped last year.  It is definitely considered one of the sexiest and sportiest car available in the mid size sedan segment today.  Although, the same car tends to get expensive when one starts adding options.

Mazda 6 2010 model stand out amongst family sedans owing to  sporty dynamics and sharp styling.  It squeezes great performance from a  basic front wheel driving, 4 or 6 cylinder sedan layout.  No wonder reviewers are comparing the Mazda to mild sports sedans such as the Acura TL

This car is much more spacious then most of its rivals.  Even then its cons include hard cheap feeling plastic pieces for the interior in the lower level trim. With the exception of that; this car is as equipped as any other entry level luxury vehicle at its higher trim levels.

Mazda 6 is mediocre however in fuel economy numbers.  Although the  base price is quite reasonable the option package offers are not.  It is definitely expensive to equip.

But even then with more room and more style, the Mazda 6 seems to be the next big thing n the city.  The car has a solid driveline, spacious interiors, good handling and an amazing contemporary new exterior.  It has three trim levels. It manages to  put up a great show against current champions in the midsize car segment.

Mazda 6 2010 version is hats off in performance and offers it self as the most affordable sporty car.  It has brisk acceleration and truly sharp, above average handling even though it is a family car.  It has brilliant steering & chassis feedback.  The aggressive curves of its exterior are classy and rarely found in a car that can seat five comfortably.

The Mazda6 earns its  highest score in safety.  It has earned five stars in all government safety tests.  It has scored a “Good” on both side and frontal impact safety tests.

Mazda protects the buyers of the 2010 Mazda 6 with a 3 year 36 thousand mile limited warranty.  It also includes road side assistance during the warranty period unlike many of its competitors.

Fresh styling introduced by Mazda in Mazda 6, since 2009, has improved the Mazda6 car’s sporty nature, inside and out.

Japanese mini trucks are very popular in the United States, Canada and other countries for off-road applications.  Recently, however, due to strict regulations passed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), USA, regarding importing mini trucks from Japan, there is confusion in the minds of many importers of mini trucks from the United States.  In this post, we will try to clarify how the EPA has tightened their regulations and demanding more inspections to be carried out in Japan, to make the vehicles eligible for import into the United States.

The revised EPA regulations do not abolish importation of these products, but they do add the requirement to certify engines before importation.  The most popular vehicles impacted by the new regulations are the Japanese Kei-class mini trucks that have been modified to limit speed to 25 mph.  The revised EPA regulations apply when someone modifies a motor vehicle (or motor-vehicle engine) so that it qualifies as a non-road vehicle (or engine).  Engines that are thus modified must be certified to demonstrate compliance with non-road emission standards per 40 CFR 1048.

In short, since mini-trucks were made for on-road use in Japan, they are now “new” non-road vehicles (regardless of the year of actual manufacture) in the United States, thus they must meet EPA emission standards for new non-road vehicles (have a “Certificate of Conformity” for each year, make and model) regardless of whether or not they have their max. speed restricted to 25 mph.

• A certificate of consistency from EPA
• Testing engines to confirm that emission levels as per the EPA standards
• Fulfilling other requirements as specified in the rules for certified engines.

According to the Japanese law, the Kei Trucks have to abide strict EPA emissions standards, the cost of inspections & licensing increase as the vehicle ages, resulting in early trade in.  Most of the Japanese Kei Trucks we export to the United States are used trucks produced from 1990 – 2003.  The strict Japanese inspections keep the mini truck in superior condition and most importantly make them a very good value for importing to the United States as used off road vehicles.  Though Japanese 4×4 Kei Truck is a 60 mph vehicle, but due to U. S. Import Regulations they are restricted to Off Road Use.

Shiotsu Autotrade ensures that each mini truck being exported to U.S. is in good running condition, fitted with EPA approved governors, serviced by our local mechanics & ultimately the buyer is provided with service paperwork which includes original Japanese export papers & the English translation.  We take proper care that buyers mini truck is picked up and delivered safely.  Apart from this our inventory pages always up to date and filled with accurate pictures & descriptions of each Japanese mini truck we have put up for sale.

According to U.S import regulation, one cannot drive Japanese Mini Trucks on U.S. public roads but it can be used exclusively for off road use.  To comply with U.S. law, all our Japanese mini trucks are properly equipped with speed controllers which prevent mini trucks to go beyond maximum speed limit of 25 mph.

Usually we will load about seven Japanese mini trucks in one container (40ft.) and then ship it its destination.  Our staff members have excellent knowledge on how to load mini trucks properly in a container to keep away from any kind of damage during shipping.  Please note that we accept orders for mini trucks only by containers.  If you  are interested in importing mini trucks please get in touch with us with your requirement.

Technorati Tags: mini trucks, Japan, EPA regulations, mini-trucks, Kei Trucks