Shiotsu Autotrade Japan – President’s Blog

New Regulations to increase Used Car prices in New Zealand

Japanese cars rule in New Zealand’s used car industry.  Imported vehicles are typically purchased from used auto auctions in Japan and then brought to New Zealand by auto dealers.  Many of these Japanese used vehicles possess low mileage since Japanese people like to travel by public transport instead of by private vehicles.  These used cars from Japan also are properly maintained, obtainable in excellent condition and are available at very low prices. This has resulted in  a great demand for Japanese used cars.  However, latest regulations concerning importing used cars to New Zealand which will soon be put to effect, may rule out vehicles which are older than seven years; and such a move would certainly push up the prices of used Japanese cars in New Zealand.

Current Regulations for importing Japanese Cars in to New Zealand

New or used cars exported from Japan may be shipped from any Japanese port like Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, to all the main Ports in New Zealand like Auckland, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Napier, Wellington, Tauranga. When considering the age of shipped in vehicles, the vehicle brought in to New Zealand should not be more than 20 years old. Exclusions to this rule could be made if the used car or truck you import is a special interest vehicle or if perhaps you import a car which has already been registered by your name in Japan.  The vehicle under consideration ought to meet noise and emission standards which are laid by New Zealand government for vehicles of a similar class.  Imported cars should be in a position to clear the New Zealand’s WoF (warrant of fitness) check. All new or used cars should be Right Hand Drive.  There may be exceptions made for any special interest vehicle like special purpose vehicles, antique cars, motorsport cars, hearses or machinery. Nevertheless, a few of these import rules pertaining to import of used cars from Japan might change soon, leading to increase in prices of Japanese used cars in New Zealand. Read the rest of this entry »

Green cars steal the Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Energy-saving electric powered automobiles equipped with sophisticated eco-friendly technology were competing for attention in the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, with computers and robots becoming increasingly part of the automobiles displayed.  Car manufacturers are now exhibiting concept vehicles with bodies that can be transformed and which are also automotive computers connected to smart phones, whilst flaunting energy-efficient green automobiles with electric powered, fuel cell with hybrid engines.  Green cars has been the major theme with most car makers at the Tokyo Motor Show 2011.

The cars on display at Tokyo Motor Show 2011 are mostly compact, fuel-efficient automobiles with which Japanese car manufacturers aspire to shake up the stagnant local sales as the segment attempts to regain from March’s earthquake and tsunami as well as the current worldwide economic crisis.

Eco-Friendly Cars at Tokyo Motor Show

With most of the auto-manufacturers abiding by the green theme, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota Motors Corporation all exhibited their vehicles in the Tokyo Motor Show.  Nissan’s Leaf Electric Car, which was a major exhibit in this year’s show, was elected the car of the year.  Nissan revealed its PIVO-3 Electric Vehicle, which is a 3 seater commuter vehicle. Toyota Motor Corporation displayed five of its automobiles. Most of these worked on alternative fuel technology.

Daihatsu displayed PICO, its two seater electric vehicle which greatly resembled combination of lightweight automobile and motorized cycle.  Suzuki came up with two of its small cars. Suzuki’s Regina which is an advanced global compact car is lightweight and aerodynamic.  It also exhibited a Q-Concept two seater which can be considered an intermediate between cars and motorcycles.

Foreign Participants in the Tokyo Motor Show

Many reputed auto manufacturers from different countries of the world participated in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.  German auto manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen exhibited their vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota’s Fun Vii at Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo Motor Show is a Motor Show held once in two years is Japan. It is organized by Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc (JAMA) on the October-November months. It is held in Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. Many innovative auto manufacturers exhibit their most modern innovations through this Show. This was the 42^nd Tokyo Motor Show and many big companies like the Toyota Motor Corp, Daihatsu Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, Mitsubishi Motors Corp, Honda Motor Co, Ford and the Volkswagen participated in it.

One of the most interesting entries in the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 was Toyota’s Fun Vii rightly named so. This car resembles a mobile phone and was presented recently and customization was elevated to a different level as Toyota revealed its innovative brand new vehicle, appropriately referred to as the Fun-Vii.

At this point, changing the look of your automobile to match your flavor as well as your disposition can be as simple as downloading a mobile phone application or perhaps uploading a picture or a graphic to Facebook.

Toyota Fun Vii – Fun to Drive, Again

Toyota revealed many concept automobiles in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Fun-Vii is just one of them. It was displayed by the theme of ‘Fun to Drive, Again’. Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota debuts new Eco Cars at Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Toyota Motor Corporation will display its Scion FR-S sporty car for the first time at the 42^ndTokyo Motor Show 2011.  Toyota will also unveil Toyota Aqua or the Prius C as the North Americans know it, for the first time in Japanese Market.  Toyota Aqua will go for sale in Japanese Markets next month while it will be displayed in US Showrooms only next year.  Toyota will also showcase its Prius Plug-in Hybrid and also it’s iQ Electric Vehicle.  The Tokyo Motor Show which happens every two years will this year witness many new, hybrid and eco friendly vehicles.

Toyota Aqua or Prius C

The Prius C or Toyota Aqua can comfortably seat five people.  The 1.5 litre engine is linked to Toyota’s all new lightweight Hybrid System.  It has a front that resembles Yaris, roofline is much similar to Prius and it has a wavy new side panel treatment that covers over the rear wheels.

Its new hybrid system consists of a motor, new inverter and a battery.  The hybrid drivetrain is around 88 pounds lighter than the standard Prius. Aqua has been chosen as a standalone name in Japan inorder to generate a new client base for hybrid systems.

In the U.S., they are following a converse theory.  There they intend to cash upon the already existing repute of Prius for Prius C.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid

The Toyota Show will also witness debut of production version of Prius Plug-in Hybrid which will be in markets only next year.  This version will be powered by Lithium Ion Battery.  This battery is smaller and will enable more space for luggage.

Toyota FT-EV III

The FT-EV III is yet another electric vehicle based on Toyota’s iQ Minicar.  The car will be out for sale in USA as Scion next year.  This little car can cover 65 miles when fully charged.  Another merit it offers is its battery can be charged in barely half the time other electric cars take.  In a 200 volt system, the car gets completely charged in around four hours.

Fuel cell concept FCV-R

This is one more remarkable Toyota debut. The FCV-R is a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that will be sold in markets by 2015. It is a four seater and has been inspired from Lexus HS 250h hybrid.  The fuel cell unit can power the car on a single filling for 435miles.  It has been located under the driver’s seat.

Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Tokyo Motor Show is a biannual auto show held in Japan.  Read the rest of this entry »

Isuzu to manufacture trucks in Saudi Arabia for exports

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is planning to manufacture car components  by around 2013 and expects to build two different car models besides assembling cars in around 10 years from now, according to an official looking after  the development of the country’s automotive industry.

Azzam Shalabi, president of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Clusters Programme said it was a huge challenge and that was why the government was going to be involved in the development of the country’s automotive sector.

Truck Market in Saudi Arabia and Middle East

Saudi Arabia is engaged in the development of new conversion industries in the areas around petrochemical plants and refineries currently being built by Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and Saudi Arabian Oil Co. Under the Kingdom’s cluster development program, the development of mainly five industrial conversion targets, including the automotive sector, will be covered. Besides the automotive sector and its value chain, the other four industries being targeted include solar energy products, plastics and packaging, energy goods and services, and home appliances.

In order to attract foreign auto investors, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going to develop an automotive-zone master plan which will allow manufacturers to share some logistics operations and production facilities. The government is also trying to persuade large automotive companies to commence assembling automobiles in the kingdom. Shalabi said that the zone concept was being discussed with automobile manufacturing companies in order to validate its acceptability and feasibility.

Currently, Japan’s Isuzu Motors Ltd. has a plant for assembling medium-size and heavy trucks in Dammam, where it plans to commence production in 2012 and produce 25,000 vehicles each year. Isuzu Motors will be producing the trucks for export to the Middle East and GCC Region. The assembling of the trucks by Isuzu comes under the aegis of Saudi Arabia’s cluster development program. Read the rest of this entry »

Hino targets truck markets in Africa

Hino Motors Ltd, Japan’s largest manufacturer of heavy trucks and the second largest bus manufacturer is eyeing Africa as a key market for its vehicles.  Currently, Hino trucks are being supported and sold through Toyota SA Trucks in South Africa, this relationship dating back to 1972.  Although often mistakenly believed to be a Toyota product, Hino is actually a separate marque in Japan, though a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Company.

In Japan, it is a close neck and neck race for first place in the bus and heavy truck market between Mitsubishi and Hino. However, in South Africa, Hino and Toyota are leaders in the domestic Japanese truck market business.

Hino Trucks’ Presence in South Africa

Over the last few years, Hino South Africa has emerged as a major contender in the South African medium, heavy and also extra-heavy truck segments. Yoshio Shirai, Hino president, said in Johannesburg that his company was planning to grow its sales volumes and its market share in South Africa. A few weeks ago, Hino had previewed its new 300 range at this year’s Johannesburg Motor Show and has plans to officially launch the vehicles here in early 2012. South Africa is the first country in which Hino introduced its new 300 Series medium-truck range, and also the first to assemble these products outside Japan.

Dr Casper Kruger, Hino South Africa VP, said that the new line-up would feature narrow and wide cabs, and also, for the first time, a crew cab derivative. As far as the features are concerned, the new vehicles are more aerodynamic as compared to the current ones. They have increased interior space and better visibility, whereas the interior has been restyled to include new instrument panels and storage areas.

The engines have been improved and are more fuel-efficient derivatives of the earlier Euro 3 Hino power units. The new engine produces 392 Nm of torque, and is fitted to the 814 and 714 derivatives. The 915 and 815 models are equipped with a 110 kW (150 hp) version of the same engine.

This new range will also have a conventional six-speed automatic transmission besides five-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes. It will also be the first medium truck in the South African market to include standard airbags having seat belt pre-tensioners for the driver as well as the passenger.

Hino, which will be celebrating forty years of operations in South Africa in 2012, will be appointing a number of 2S dealers for offering service and parts facilities but without a sales operation next year. According to Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa, Hino production was now running at full capacity in Japan. He attributed this success to the excellent collaboration in recovery efforts between Hino and its different suppliers in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in March this year.

Dr Johan van Zyl also stated that having boosted the company’s profitability and also doubled its global sales for the last financial year, Hino Motors is now planning to increase its annual global sales to 230 000 units by the year 2015.

Mitsubishi Fuso unveils new Super Great Dump Truck

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers is expanding its Japan product line by adding the new Super Great Dump Truck to its series of already existing vehicles. The Super Great Dump Truck will be available at all Mitsubishi Fuso dealer locations in Japan, from October 6, 2011.  The new generation heavy duty Super Great dump truck from Mitsubishi launched comes with specifications that promises high fuel efficiency at highway speeds.

Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great Dump Truck Specifications

The new Super Great Dump Truck not only complies with the stringent JP09 Emission Regulations (Japan’s Post New Long Term Emission Regulations), it also meets Japan’s 2015 FES standard for heavy duty trucks and other commercial vehicles.  It is a 2015 Fuel Efficiency Standard (FES) compliant dump truck. To keep a check on the emissions, it has incorporated a BlueTec Emission Reduction System. This works in combination with a 12.8 liter heavy duty Fuel Efficient Engine 6R10 helps reduce the ownership cost of the vehicle. The BlueTec Emission Reduction System works along with the Urea Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR) & Regeneration Controlled Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).  The vehicle can be driven powerfully because of its seven speed manual transmission.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2010 it sold around 140,700 vehicles which included heavy, medium and light duty buses and trucks. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG. It has added to its Japanese product line by introducing the Super Great Dump Truck to its existing line of products. The Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is based in Kawasaki, Japan.

Japan sets new Auto fuel efficiency standards

Just recently, a draft of a proposal specifying the fuel efficiency targets that automakers would have to meet for each type of motor by the fiscal 2020 was released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.  As per the new standards, the average efficiency of fleets would be required to improve by around 24% from the current fuel efficiency standard of 16.3 km / liter of fuel to 20.3 km / liter in 2020. However, plug in hybrids and electric cars will be excluded from meeting the new targets, and manufacturers will be required to deliver efficiency improvements only in conventional vehicles.

The new Japanese proposal is along the lines of the recently introduced US Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules that expect auto manufacturers to work towards meeting the new average fleet efficiency standard of 54.5 miles /gallon from the present 27 miles / gallon, by 2025.  That is, manufacturers may continue to make cars that are less efficient provided that they invest in improving the current efficiency of their other models.

The new efficiency standards are being introduced in order to force a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the auto industry to put in vigorous efforts towards developing new and more improved designs.

According to a Japanese ministry official, if approved, the new proposals for fuel economy standards could come into force from around next Spring.  The EU and China had introduced efficiency standards some time back.  Last month, they were joined by the US.  The recent move makes Japan the latest country to decide on adopting strict fuel efficiency standards. Read the rest of this entry »

Why are Japanese Cars so reliable?

The two words quality and reliability are synonymous with Japanese cars.  Japanese cars are very popular all over the world as they are super efficient and deliver all that they promise.  Japanese cars are the most preferred cars not only in the Japanese market but also  in the overseas markets.  Japanese cars have proved to be more reliable than most European or American cars. The continent of Europe and the United States of America is flooded with Japanese cars.  This has also led to setting up of huge car manufacturing plants in overseas countries by leading Japanese car makers.  Off the ten most reliable cars in the world, seven are Japanese cars.

Japanese Car Makers – Customer Orientation

Let us find out why Japanese cars score over most other cars in reliability and performance.  Customer satisfaction is the main motto of the Japanese car makers and this drives them to manufacture high quality reliable cars.  The corporate setup of the Japanese car manufacturing companies is designed to help and serve the customers.  Right from the worker in the production floor to the director in the board room, everyone is customer oriented.  If the customer has a minor issue with the car, it is not unusual for the CEO of the company himself to go and visit the customer.  This clearly shows that even the smallest issue is taken very seriously and the car company genuinely cares.

Japanese people  in general are open to criticism and willing to improve upon their shortcomings.  Japanese analyze their mistakes and immediately rectify them.  It is this approach that makes them stand apart.  Other countries in the world are also trying to produce reliable cars but are not willing to take up any criticism.

Japanese Auto Makers commitment to R&D

Leading Japanese car makers such as Toyota and Nissan spend huge amounts of money on constantly upgrading their technology.  The huge money spent on research and development helps these car makers to innovate and produce super efficient cars.  Even the workforce is quality conscious.  The factories and car plants are run in an efficient and disciplined manner.  The reporting structures in these companies are well chalked out with the superiors giving clear and precise instructions.  The workers also know their job thoroughly and continuously strive for perfection.

The suppliers of automobile spare parts and components are located near the factories and whenever there is a shortage in the supply of parts, the suppliers immediately deliver them to the car manufacturer.  In other words, very little time is wasted in transportation.  This also shows that the Japanese car makers have an efficient supply chain management. Read the rest of this entry »

Need for sound alerts  for Electric and Hybrid Cars

The introduction of hybrid and electric cars have greatly reduced the sound and air pollution in the atmosphere.  While this has greatly helped in many aspects, it has also posed certain problems.  Basically, these cars do not make any noise when they run.  This is causing plenty of problems to all the pedestrians walking on the roads and the blind people dread these cars.  The blind people are not able to hear the sound of the car till the very last moment.  This has also resulted in some serious injuries and accidents.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration of US (NHTSA) and the associations for blind people have raised their voice against the hybrid and electric cars.

Electric cars to modify design

The manufacturers of the electric cars have been asked by the US safety regulations to redesign their cars.  The car manufacturers have been asked to equip the electric car with sound alerting or automatic warning systems as the car comes near a pedestrian.  All leading car manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota and General Motors will have to equip their car with sensor devices to warn the pedestrians.

Nissan Electric Cars – Leaf

The new electric car models Leaf from Nissan has been equipped with sound alert systems.  These sound alerts will only work when the driver initiates some action. This sound will be heard when the turn signal lever is operated by the driver.

Toyota Hybrid electric Cars

Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid electric automobiles.  In its new and forthcoming Prius V Wagon, it has decided to install an audible alert which can be heard by the pedestrians.  This is possible when the car runs on battery power or low speed.

A common standard to be set up for electric and hybrid cars

The basic idea is to create a standard for all the electric and hybrid cars to be equipped with sound alerts. These would work in certain conditions when the vehicle is running thereby alerting the blind people and pedestrians.  The sounds alerts would help in finding the location, direction and presence of the vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations are applicable to all automobiles like motorcycles, trucks, buses and cars whether they are hybrid or electric.  It has been proposed that all these rules and regulations would be effective from Jan 4, 2014.  Definitely, NHTSA is working very hard to implement the sound alert systems.  NHTSA has also clearly stated that vehicles of similar model and make must have similar sound alert systems.

All these steps are being taken to ensure that the blind people and pedestrians at large can walk safely on the roads.  The leading car makers on their part are also doing their best by introducing their new hybrid and electric cars with sound alert systems as laid down in the regulations.  It is very likely that other countries will follow this move and implement similar regulations for hybrid and electric cars.