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

Over 70 companies including major automakers in Japan exhibited/demonstrated their environment friendly technologies  and over 100 low emission vehicles including Electric Vehicles and Vehicles powered by fuel cells, in this event held in Yokohama.  I had a chance to visit this event and I could see many families with children visiting this event.  Visitors were allowed to sit in the driver’s cabin and enjoy the comfort offered by these new vehicles.

The new ‘Super Great’ heavy-duty truck represents a major leap forward for heavy-duty truck industry in Japan.  It’s all new 6R10 heavy-duty engine and advanced BlueTec(R) emissions control system offers excellent fuel efficiency with significant progress in environmental performance.   The new Super Great truck is environmentally-friendly, designed for safety and also highly cost-effective in operation.  The new Super Great uses an electronically-controlled light-weight 12-speed mechanical automatic transmission – INOMAT-II, for improving the fuel economy further.  Due to these combined efforts for increasing the fuel efficiency, 87% of the Super Great series trucks meet Japan’s 2015 fuel efficiency standard, and thus qualify for Eco-car Tax incentives in Japan.

The new ‘Canter Eco Hybrid’ medium duty commercial truck from Mitsubishi Fuso employs an ultra-compact electric motor powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, and a compact, clean-burning diesel engine in a drive train having highly efficient automated mechanical transmission.  ‘Canter Eco Hybrid’ offers over 30% better fuel economy with significantly reduced pollution compared to its standard diesel model.  Canter Eco Hybrid has been sold domestically in Japan as well as in other countries such as Australia, Hong Kong and England.

If you are looking for the new Super Great and Canter Eco Hybrids, or used Super Great and Diesel version of Canter trucks, please get in touch with us with your requirements.

Technorati Tags: Mitsubishi Fuso, Fuso Trucks, heavy duty truck, Electric Vehicles, Super Great truck, Canter Eco Hybrid

The latest updated avatar of the Quon is expected to have an 11-liter engine under its hood on the basis of the platform of the Volvo Group.  The new truck in the Condor series is expected to be introduced with a medium duty GH7 engine for power.

As per the UD Trucks press release, both these new engines release lower emissions in combination of lower consumption and meet the current emission criteria in both Japan and North America.  The new JP09 environmental regulations in Japan apply to diesel vehicles, proposes reductions of at least 60% in emissions of nitrogen oxides and other matter for large trucks.

UD Trucks have stated that the new engines utilize SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology which reduces emissions, advances fuel economy and also greatly improves driving performance.  Nissan UD Trucks have been leading in the deployment of SCR technology – a specialized know-how used in the exhaust gases conversion. Volvo truck group widely uses this technology in its production.

In Japan, the new Quon’s launch is anticipated to take place in April of 2010.  The Condor will be launched in Japan in the middle of year 2010 and end 2010 in the US.  The Ageo plant of UD Trucks in Japan will produce the new medium-duty engine along with the Quon and the Condor.

One of the premier leading producers of buses, trucks, equipment related to construction and marine drive systems, applications for industrial use, components for aerospace and related services, the Volvo Group has carved a niche for itself in heavy duty vehicles.

The new Quon and Condor Series trucks are among the first new trucks from Nissan UD Japan, since Volvo started investing in UD Trucks 3 years ago.  The new UD truck prices would start from 17.2 million Japanese yen.

Technorati Tags: Quon truck, UD Trucks, Nissan UD Trucks, Volvo truck, Condor Series trucks

The JP09 (Japan New Long-Term Emission Regulation) enforces a reduction of 65 percent of nitrogen oxide levels and a reduction of 63 percent of particulate matter levels in comparison with JP05 – the previous regulation.   The Kawasaki plant of Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks has already commenced production  of the new Fuso Super Great and sales at all the Mitsubishi Fuso dealers in Japan have already received the first batch of orders.

At a press release, Mr. Albert Kirchmann, President and CEO of MFTBC stated that

The new Fuso Super Great with its all-new fuel-efficient 6R10 engine and advanced BlueTec emissions control system shows that heavy-duty trucks can be environmentally friendly, optimized for safety, and also highly cost-effective.

Aimed to meet the needs of customers on the Japanese auto market, the environmentally friendly engine gives an output of 257 kW (350 hp) and 309 kW (420 hp).

It is reassuring for customers to know that MFTBC is a fundamental part of Daimler Trucks – which has units in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. – because the modular commercial vehicle system from the New Engine Generation division of Daimler Trucks’ with its BluTec technology has been defined for all brands and are being used worldwide.  World-class components like the new Fuso 6R10 engine have been developed having a very high degree of effectiveness.  The BlueTec system for exhaust gas is incorporated in all the engines of the New Engine Generation and helps drastically reduce the CO2, nitrogen, and particulate emissions while simultaneously reaching high fuel efficiency.

There is a range of other equipment characteristics offered in the new Fuso Super Great like the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or the Active Mitigation Brake (AMB), which decelerates the vehicle by automatically applying the brake when there is a possibility of a collision happening, and a system that warns the driver of critical situations called the Mitsubishi Driver Attention Monitoring System.

First introduced in 1996, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck’s Super Great  with a gross vehicle weight of 16 tons to 25 tons has been improvised upon over several generations.  It was in 2007 that the last new generation of the Super Great was launched before the introduction of the latest launch.

Mitsubishi Fuso is revolutionizing the  Heavy Duty Japanese Trucks market. The launch of the new Fuso Super Great is expected to introduce at least 25 key vehicle additions around the world by the end of 2010.?

Technorati Tags: Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks, Mitsubishi Fuso, Japanese auto market, Japanese Trucks

It costs US$1.5 billion for developing the new engine and it is primarily created for all new models of heavy-duty commercial big trucks and dump trucks with large engines produced by Mitsubishi Fuso.  The new engine has been heralded as the premier engine upgrade in a decade from a Japanese truck manufacturer.

The other two companies – Daimler and Daimler Truck North America LLC, previously Freightliner, will help in cost cutting along with Mitsubishi Fuso by sharing 90 percent of the parts and put the 10 percent of the remaining parts to meet the market needs by specifications.

This initiative was taken by Mitsubishi Fuso to be in line with the fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles, laid down by the Japanese government which came into effect in 2006.  Japan estimates to improve the fuel efficiency up to 12% on the whole, by 2015.

Mitsubishi Fuso was one of the first automobile manufacturers to recognize the view of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that the basic cause of global warming is the utilization of fossil fuels.  It felt that the best way to deal with the challenge was to introduce fuel economy by reducing the usage of fossil fuel at every step of an automobile’s life cycle.

With the introduction of the new low pollution engine, Mitsubishi Fuso hopes to interest customers in the demand for domestic trucks.  The new engine has the propensity to completely remove nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas by using a urea solution in the system.  This reduces emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide by over 60 per cent.

Mitsubishi Fuso trucks have displayed remarkable fuel efficiency and durability with their direct-injection diesel engines. These engines have proved to reduce emissions with the introduction of the computer controlled, common-rail system of fuel injection, along with heightened vehicle performance.  The system works by letting fuel to be injected at elevated force regardless of the speed of the engine, increasing the fuel and air mix, thus curbing the exhaust fumes and reducing emissions of particulate matter.

Intercoolers and turbochargers are engaged in the vehicle to reducing the temperature of turbocharger pressurised air, increasing air density, lowering combustion temperature and exhaust release, thus increasing fuel efficiency.

Technorati Tags: Japanese truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, fuel efficiency, Japanese, Japan

The Japanese Car Maker – Toyota has managed to sell 204,515 vehicles in the last financial year in Japan, as compared to 135,700 previous year.  The Lexus brand car sales has nearly tripled selling 4,919 units.  The rise is being attributes to orders for the Prius, popular electric hybrid car.  This is because the March figure  also includes orders received before the recall.  Toyota’s sales figures for Japan doe not include subsidiaries such as Daihatsu and Hino Motors.

The sales figure of the automaker is in line with the fact there was also recovery at a broader level in the auto industry which witnessed sales of new trucks, buses and cars increase by a figure of 37.2 percent compared to last financial year, helped by tax incentives and government subsidiaries.

In the United States too, the figures of Toyota Motor Sales shows 35.3 percent increase from last year with a sale of upto  186,863 units on ‘daily selling rate’ basis.  On raw volume sale basis TMS sales are up by 40.7 percent.

Toyota Division reported 35.1% increase with 166,644 automobiles sold  on ‘daily selling rate’ basis.  Raw volume basis showed a sales increase by 40.6 percent form March last year.  March also saw the Lexus brand selling 20,219 units.  This implies 36.5 percent on DSR and 42 percent volume wise!

Earlier this year Toyota pulled back 8.5 million cars worldwide out of which 6 million were in the United States alone.  The vehicles had problems with unintended acceleration and sticky gas pedals. These problems have been attributed  for the death of 58 people in the US.  The recall was subsequent to 3 recent congressional hearings.

After media criticism of its recall crisis, Toyota allowed overseas and Japanese journalists access to its central Japan headquarters to view Toyota’s quality control facility.

Incentives offered by Toyota such as free maintenance for 2 years, low priced leasing and zero percent financing helped in luring customers back.  This was for recalled vehicles which include the Camrys, Corollas and Avalons.  Added to the incentives was pent up demands of buyer who did not shop for cars due to the economic downturn last year.

The strong sales performance shows the confidence of customers and the trust of the people in Toyota.

Technorati Tags: Toyota, Japanese Car, Japan, Prius, Hino Motors

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 hybrid cars which came out first were boring, bland and what not! Honda has decided to change all that with its next generation hybrids.  It has decided to mix environment friendliness and driving fun.

For the sports car enthusiast, Honda CRZ is the world’s first hybrid sports car with a 6 speed manual transmission although you can still choose to order a hybrid with paddle shifts and CVT auto transmission.

‘CRZ’ is an abbreviation for Compact Renaissance Zero. This green fuel efficient car has a 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine with ‘Integrated Motor Assist’ which is actually a hybrid system.  Although 25 km/liter from the vehicle is quite good, what blows your mind is the way the vehicle is styled. It looks futuristic, cool and sharp!

It is also the first hybrid with ‘NORMAL/ECON/SPORT’ driving modes. The ‘SPORT’ mode increases the gear ratios, steering and throttle response whereas ‘ECON’ mode brings the car into economy mode offering you maximum kilometers to the liter.

In Japan, the Honda CR-Z basic model is priced at 2,250,000 Yen and the top model at 2,500,000 Yen.  It will be released in Japan first and then in other parts of the world.  The price for other countries has not been decided yet.

The Honda CRZ debut comes at an apt time barely two weeks after arch rival Toyota recalled almost 44 thousand Priuses and other hybrid cars for complaints of faulty breaks and delay in response of breaks on bumpy roads and cold conditions.

Honda claims that the braking system of its Hybrids is different from Toyota and that Honda has not received any complaints in its hybrid models about braking.  Honda plans to sell over 250,000 hybrids a year by 2010.  Honda CR-Z is a global hybrid car that will make the gasoline-electric technology more available and affordable to sports car lovers.

Technorati Tags: Honda CR-Z Hybrid, hybrid cars, Honda CRZ, Japan, Toyota, Honda

This new highly efficient commercial truck – Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid  – has an ultra slim generator, a small yet clean burn diesel engine and advanced lithium batteries coupled with automated mechanical transmission. This medium duty truck manages to achieve thirty percent better fuel economy for delivery application. It also has much less emission compared to its standard diesel only mode.  The parallel hybrid system of this light truck reduces emission and fuel consumption significantly.

In a recent announcement, Mitsubishi Fuso mentioned that they would export twenty five Hybrid Canter Eco light trucks to Australia in March 2010.  This is by far Japan’s largest export shipment of Hybrid trucks to date.  The light duty Canter Eco Hybrid trucks are destined for Start Track Express which is a leading transport company in Australia.

Since the launch of Fuso Canter in July 2006, Mitsubishi has been actively marketing Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid Trucks.  Mitsubishi  has managed to sell 800 units to date in its home market Japan.

This huge order of Hybrid Eco trucks shows that Japans hybrid trucks are finding appreciation amongst customers in International markets who are looking for cost efficient, high quality trucks from Japan which are environment friendly as well.

Last year, Mitsubishi Fuso delivered 10  hybrid trucks to Ireland for its Electricity Supply Board. The ‘Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid Truck’ is getting world wide recognition after already being the top hybrid truck in Japan for the past few years.

If you are looking for a green truck which is powerful too, we highly recommend Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid series of trucks.  We can also procure used Fuso Canter Eco hybrid trucks matching your requirements.

Technorati Tags: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck, Japan, Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid, Fuso Canter, hybrid truck

This move has been made by Satoru Takeuchi, President of ‘Nissan Diesel Motor Company’ to unify the company under a single global brand. Previously the company was scattered with different identities which has now been taken care of. This is also aimed at improving the company’s visibility within the Volvo group. This is its parent company. Renault, Mack and Volvo trucks are also sold by The Volvo Group.

Nissan Diesel was started in 1935 and at that time it worked under the banner of  Nihon Diesel Industries.  Nissan Diesel had now been using UD as its brand. UD Trucks is what Nissan Diesel was known as in Australia and The US for very long. But in South Africa it is still known as Nissan Diesel.

1/3 of the sales for Nissan Diesels are from South Africa. It is also Nissan biggest export Market excluding Asia.Last year it sold 2,372 units in South Africa alone.  80 percent of the shareholding of ‘Nissan Diesel South Africa’ (NDSA) is with Japan’s Nissan Diesel.  ‘Nissan Diesels South Africa’ will change its brand name to ‘UD Trucks South Africa’ in September. CEO and NDSA President, Johan Richards added that the change in name also implies the breaking of ties with  Nissan. The Nissan  Group does not have any shareholding in NDMC .

UD originally implied ‘Uniflow Diesel Engine Innovation’ by Nissan Diesel but is now morphed as a symbol for “Ultimate Dependability”.

Technorati Tags: Nissan Diesel, Japanese truck, Nissan UD Trucks, UD Trucks