Shiotsu Autotrade Japan – President’s Blog

Green initiative from Japanese Truck Maker – Mitsubishi Fuso

Japanese Truck Makers are making great strides in making their trucks green & environment frindly, and Mitsubishi Fuso is not an exception.  Recently, Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks – an integrated division of Daimler Trucks and one of the foremost manufacturers of commercial automobiles in Asia – launched a superior version of the powertrain for light-duty trucks.  This new poweretrain has been specially designed to attain optimum standards of ecological performance as well as all-round economy and will make its first appearance in the forthcoming lightweight truck line from Mitsubishi Fuso.

The design of the powertrain features many “firsts” in the industry.  The new characteristics of the powertrain incorporated for the first time in Japan in a light duty truck are a 4P10 super competent diesel engine having three-liter capacity with low consumption of energy, an emission reduction system called BlueTec that merges the two systems of diesel particulate filter (DPF) reduction with regeneration control and an urea SCR (selective catalytic reduction), and also a dual-clutch system of transmission called DUONIC.

On the basis of internal testing, it has been estimated that the powertrain will chip in to a total fuel consumption reduction of 8-10% in comparison with the earlier JP05 vehicle.  Thus, it is going to be energy-efficient and environment friendly.

The new powertrain has met compliance with emission regulations of the U.S. (EPA10) and Europe (Euro V) as well as the new 2010 Long Term Emission regulation of Japan (JP09).  The engine combines efficiency in combustion while drastically reducing particulate matter and nitrogen oxide (NOx).

Special features developed in the new 4P10 engine help obtain lightweight performance and low fuel consumption with optimum effectiveness.  The special engine has passed stringent tests conducted for fuel economy, quality and durability and its performance and reliability have already been proven, as this same engine has been installed in all European manufactured Canter trucks since August 2009.

The 4P10 comes with a combination of BlueTec® system which enables high combustion fuel efficiency while reducing gas emissions and is fine-tuned for the Japan market.  For the first time in Japan, the BlueTec system has been implemented in a light-duty truck, to reduce fuel consumption along with low emissions.  The BlueTec system has worldwide recognition as an environment-friendly exhaust gas after treatment system.  Particulate matter is burnt and eliminated in the filter.

The dual-clutch transmission (DUONIC) has shown to achieve high power performance for the first time in a commercial vehicle, to maximize power transmission efficiency for these light duty truck powertrains.  DUONIC works by achieving a feeling of smooth driving and direct acceleration which is the result of the working of the dual clutch.  Combined with the newly developed 4P10 truck engine, the DUONIC appreciably enhances fuel efficiency.  It merges the competence of a manual transmission with the ease of an automated transmission.  The DUONIC design and control programs have been developed by Mitsubishi Fuso who will assemble and produce the components.

Technorati Tags: Japanese Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso

Why go for Japanese Mini Trucks?

Whether you are into a small business,a factory owner, gardener, fisherman or even the owner of construction business then getting your hands on a compact and sturdy vehicle will serve you well.  Amongst them the mini trucks from Japan stand out as they are light weight automobiles.

Japan’s specially designed mini trucks are amongst the best in terms of reliability.  Coming from a technologically advanced nation they are certainly making a wave in the automotive industry.  They are also known as Micro Truck, Kei Truck or Kietora.

Reliability and toughness is the forte of Japanese Mini Trucks. They are also highly fuel efficient.  These Japanese trucks are popularly used for off road applications such as farmlands and factory lots.  The high level of fuel efficiency ensures that they make a cost effective proposition.  Due to all these qualities these trucks are getting increasingly popular in other countries.

Impulsive buyers procure Japanese kei trucks without paying proper attention and end up with a truck which is not in perfect shape.  We on the other hand, make sure that you get authentic used mini trucks from Japanese domestic market.

Japanese mini trucks can deliver 75 mph under optimum conditions. Some nations have given them the certificate of regular road vehicles owing to the high efficiency levels. They run great on gas and give good mileage.  These trucks normally weigh 1500 pounds with an engine capacity of 660 cc. Mini trucks would normally be having manual transmission with 4 or 5 gears.  Some even have six gears ranging from high to low.  You can also choose to change  regular tires and accommodate mud and snow tires.

Getting spare parts becomes a headache for most car drivers but if you own a Kei truck you will never face problems.  This is because even specific spare parts are available with most spare part dealers. Japanese mini trucks have basic and advanced models.  You will also be given option of a/c and non a/c for the vehicles. Since they are so easily serviceable you should hardly have difficulties.  This is a robust vehicle which gives you good value for money.

These mini trucks have greatly  evolved in terms of original size as well as emission control equipment.  These trucks are not only safer but are also cleaner than ever with increasing regulations governing safety and emissions.

Japanese mini trucks are moderately priced and are hence affordable.  Since they are so compact they also do not need much space to fit in.  You can easily house your truck in your garage.

We regularly export Japanese mini trucks to USA and Canada.  If you are looking for importing used mini trucks, we can send them in containers to reduce your shipping cost.

Technorati Tags: mini trucks, Japan, Japanese Mini Trucks, Japanese trucks, kei trucks

As per the latest auto news, a research undertaken by Warranty Direct – an insurance expert and by What Car? – the motoring magazine – indicates that Japanese cars are the most reliable in the used car category.  A reliability survey also showed that the top seven places in ten were taken by Japan’s car manufacturers while European used cars are from among the ten least reliable.

Japanese car manufacturers Honda – leading for the fifth year, followed by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Toyota – in that order – took the top credits in polls conducted on performing old cars aged between three and ten years .  Very few of these cars required repairs in a one year period of use, with Honda leading with the least at just seven per cent cars needing repairs.  The other Japanese used cars leading the lot were Mazda and Nissan.

Germany-made Skoda and Britain-made MINI were the only cars from the west that passed the survey of reliable used cars, with Skoda in the eighth and MINI in the tenth position.

Among the least reliable cars Land Rover of Britain led at 53% failure rate with other European cars Renault Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Vauxhall, MG, Saab, BMW, Rover and the Audi proving to be prone to more break downs.  What Car? stated that break down charges on a Renault are lower as compared to Mazda and Porsche.

These surveys are a boon to car manufacturers, which keep striving to improve the mechanics of their newer models to making them more reliable and in another couple of years of more, the hard facts on these poorly performing vehicles are likely to disappear altogether.

Car manufacturers holding prestigious positions have had to undergo embarrassing rates of failure as compared to manufacturers of cars that have been pegged as not being reliable, as the latter are showing signs of improving on their reliability status.  Among Japanese manufactured cars, in spite of the fact that used Honda cars give the least problems, ten percent of their break downs happen with the air conditioning systems.  Subarus have gained notoriety with their brakes failure and axle and suspension problems.

Even with Toyota having to recall several thousands of their cars from the showrooms, their reliability rating for Japanese used cars has not fallen.  The new manufacturing units for Japanese cars are improving on their cars and it is anticipated that Japanese cars will maintain their number one position for being the most reliable cars.  So, if you have decided to buy a used Japanese car, you have not made a wrong decision.

Technorati Tags: Japanese cars, used cars, Honda, Toyota, most reliable cars, used Japanese car