Archive for December, 2007

Lexus to Display LF-Xh and LF-A at Tokyo Motor Show

Monday, December 31st, 2007

Tokyo, October 10, 2007 — Lexus announced today that it plans to display two concept vehicles and six production vehicles at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The show will be open to the general public from October 27 to November 11 at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.On the basis of its “pursuit of perfection” philosophy, Lexus strives to provide the highest-quality products and to fill every moment with exhilaration and comfort for its customers through continued, uncompromising efforts in all aspects of development, production and sales. At the Tokyo Motor Show, as a new global premium brand for the 21st century, Lexus plans to exhibit a specialty SUV and a premium two-seater sports car.

Further details of the Lexus display are below.

I. Concept Vehicles LF-Xh (Global unveiling) A specialty SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system

  • The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel.
  • Application of “Lexus Hybrid Drive”, which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
  • All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 gasoline engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system.

Total length: 4,800mm Total width: 1,895mm Total height: 1,650mm Wheelbase: 2,850mm

Lexus

LF-A A premium two-seater sports car that represents the impressive Lexus driving performance

  • Manifestation of the Lexus “F” premium sports car concept, which offers new Lexus performance through the combination of enhanced fundamental performance and cutting-edge driving technology, pursues the pinnacle of sports car performance.
  • Use of L-finesse design creates an elegant and a solid presence.
  • A high-performance V10 engine (up to 5.0 liters) and a body made of light yet sturdy carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) combine to provide unprecedented driving performance.

Total length: 4,460mm Total width: 1,895mm Total height: 1,220mm Wheelbase: 2,605mm

II. Production Vehicles

  • LS600hL
  • IS F

* Other vehicles displayed will include the LS460 and the GS450h.

JR Tokai to build maglev train system at cost of $48 billion

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

Central Japan Railway Co (JR Tokai) said it will build at its own expense a magnetically levitated train system between the Tokyo metropolitan area Nagoya cost of $48 billion.

JR Tokai plans to begin operating the system in 2025.

A maglev train floats slightly above the guide way on a magnetic field.

A three-car manned maglev train reached a top speed of 581 kilometers per hour, the highest speed ever recorder, during a test run conducted in 2003 by JR Tokai and the government-affiliated Railway Technical Research Institute.

Toyota to expand output to near 10 million units in 2008

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

Toyota plans to raise its global output to 10 million units next year, out-distancing its rival General Motors Corp. of the United States, according to reports in Tokyo.

Toyota now expects its group’s global production to expand to some 9.9 million vehicles in 2008, about 500,000 units more than the projection for the current year, the Nikkei newspaper said.

The expansion is mainly due to expectations of continued robust sales in China, the Middle East & other emerging economies, the business daily said.

Toyota is expected to outdo General Motors in output this year as the carmaker steps up production overseas, & the gap is likely to widen in 2008, it added. Toyota projects its global output for this year will climb by four percent year on year to 9.42 million cars, while General Motors earlier this month announced a production forecast of a one percent gain to 9.26 million units.

As the result, the Japanese company is likely to become the world’s number one carmaker in terms of production volume for the first time.

Toyota’s overseas output, excluding group firms, is likely to grow more than five percent in 2008 from 4.2 million units projected for the current year, exceeding its domestic production, Nikkei said.

On the sales front, Toyota is neck-and-neck with General Motors for the rank of the world’s top selling automaker.

Toyota overtook GM in the first quarter of 2007 in terms of global sales and remained in pole position for first half of the year, but GM regained its lead for the nine months to September.

Zambia imported 100,000 used cars since 2001

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

The minister of transport in Zambia recently informed the parliament that Zambia imported more than 100,000 second hand vehicles from 2001 to 2007 from various countries. Zambia’s import of used vehicles:

Year

Used vehicles

2001

4,739

2002

5,308

2003

6,027

2004

8,871

2005

31,491

2006

29,228

2007

34,044

Suzuki to build new motorcycle plant in China

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

Suzuki plans to build a new motorcycle factory in China via a joint venture it will set up with the Grand River Group of China. The new factory would produce 2 million units a year in 2014. China is world’s largest motorcycle market, accounting for 49 percent of the 44.15 million motorcycles sold worldwide in 2006.

Suzuki produced and sold 1 million motorcycles in China in 2006, about 7 percent of Chinese market for motorcycles. China has more than 100 motorcycle makers.