The record for the longest motorcycle is 9.6meters and was achieved by Oleg Rogov of Russia in Tver, Russia on December19, 2005.

The longest true bicycle, that is one with only two wheels and no stabilizers, was 28.1 meters long and was built by members of Gezelschap Edgewater, the mechanical engineering students’ association at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.

The bicycle was ridden for a long distance in excess of 100 meter at Delft, The Netherlands on December 11, 2002.

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it received the Outstanding Technical Paper Award at the 58th annual Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan awards presentation for its analysis of the combustion mechanism of catalysts in diesel particulate filters.

Mazda has been conducting research into combustion mechanisms to eliminate particulate matter, mainly soot, from diesel engine exhaust emissions. The Hiroshima-based company developed an original analytical method which demonstrated that the oxygen exchange characteristics of catalysts play an important role in accelerating the combustion of particulate matter. This work will aid development of highly efficient diesel particulate filters (DPF) in the future. Additionally, the newly developed analytical method can be applied not only to automobile diesel engines, but also to general purpose diesel engines. The award recognizes these achievements, which provide tangible development guidelines for a wide range of future diesel engine technologies.

Diesel engines are popular mainly in Europe because they have better fuel economy than gasoline engines and produce fewer CO2 emissions, which are commonly regarded as a major cause of global warming. However, a treatment process (combustion) is necessary to remove the particulate matter (soot) that is produced in the exhaust. To promote combustion of the particulate matter, the exhaust gases must be heated sufficiently. This requires extra fuel and is one of the causes of impaired fuel economy.

Mazda will leverage its new analytical method to find ways of accelerating particulate matter combustion in order to significantly reduce exhaust processing times. By developing this technology, Mazda intends to cut fuel consumption and achieve cleaner exhaust emissions with less CO2.

The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan has conducted an awards program since 1951 as a means of encouraging the advancement of automotive engineering and technologies. Its Outstanding Technical Paper Award recognizes individuals and their collaborators for outstanding research in the field of automotive technology.

About the Outstanding Technical Paper Award

Awarded for: “Study on low temperature oxidation of diesel particulate matters by oxygen storage component for the catalyzed diesel particulate filter”

The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan confers six awards each spring, namely: the Asahara Science Award, the Asahara Award of Merit in Technology, the Outstanding Technical Paper Award, the Technological Development Award, the Scientific Contribution Award and the Technological Contribution Award. The award ceremony is due to take place during the society’s spring conference at the Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center on May 22, 2008.

Recent Mazda recipients of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan awards

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for both for March 2008 and the 2007 fiscal year.March 2008

• Production: total and in Japan
  Total global production came in at 137,910 units, a decline of 1.9 percent over March Last year and marking the first monthly decrease since February last year. Production volume in Japan at 93,558 units was up 8.5 percent, the 18th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and marking a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven by a 32.4 percent increase in output (31,345 units) of the new Lancer for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets and by a 19.5 percent increase in output (18,647 units) for export shipments of the new Outlander which continues to sell briskly in European and Chinese markets.
• Sales in Japan
  Vehicle sales in Japan in March totaled 32,317 units, a 16.0 percent decrease year-on-year. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 25,182 units and commercial vehicle sales of 7,135 units were 17.1 percent and 11.6 percent down respectively on the same month last year. Total registered vehicle sales were 13.8 percent down year-on-year despite strong showings by the Lancer Evolution X, and the Galant Fortis, new additions to the lineup since August last year. Total mini-car sales volume was 17.2 percent down despite an 17.6 percent increase in Pajero Mini sales.
• Production overseas
  Overseas production volume totaled 44,352 units, 18.4 percent down over March last year.
• Export shipments from Japan
  Total exports from Japan of 74,787 units were 25.0 percent up on March 2007, marking the 17th consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports to Asia showed a healthy 14.6 percent rise over the same period last year thanks mainly to firm sales of the new Outlander in China. Exports to Europe of 37,464 units were a very strong 77.6 percent up on March 2007 and a record for the month since the 2003 spin off of the company’s truck and bus operations. This surge was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraina and Central European markets.

2007 Fiscal Year (April ‘07 - March ‘08)

• Production: total and in Japan
  Total global production in fiscal 2007 came in at 1,431,216 units, an increase of 8.8 percent over fiscal 2006 and the first rise in volume in two years. Production volume in Japan at 875,698 units was up 12.9 percent, the third consecutive year of growth since fiscal 2005 and marking a new record for the fiscal year since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven mainly by a 107.7 percent increase in output (170,084 units) of the new Outlander for export to European and Chinese markets and by a 31.2 percent rise in output of the new Lancer destined for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets.
• Sales in Japan
  Vehicle sales in Japan in fiscal 2007 totaled 218,632 units, 11.3 percent down over fiscal 2006. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 164,044 units and commercial vehicle sales of 54,588 units were 8.7 percent and 18.2 percent down respectively on last year. Total registered vehicle sales at 83,551 units were 10.1 percent up, due primarily to the new Galant Fortis and Lancer Evolution X introduced during fiscal 2007 as well as to firm sales of the Delica D:5 launched in fiscal 2006. Total mini-car sales were 20.8 percent down for the year.
• Production overseas
  Overseas production volume in fiscal 2007 totaled 555,518 units, an increase of 2.8 percent over last year and the first yearly increase since fiscal 2002. This was attributable mainly to a 10.2 percent production increase to 358,154 units in Asia reflecting the rise in export shipments of the L200 pickup truck from Thailand, the boost in production at Proton and KRM (P.T. Mitsubishi Krama Yudha Motors & Manufacturing) accompanying the market recovery in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively and higher production at China Motor Corp. in Taiwan.
• Export shipments from Japan
  Total exports from Japan in fiscal 2007 of 614,444 units were 38.5 percent up on the previous year, the third consecutive year of growth and a new fiscal year record since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports shipments of 42,980 units to Asia showed a strong 36.6 percent rise over last year helped by the introduction of the new Outlander in China. Export shipments to Europe of 257,221 units were a very strong 74.7 percent up on fiscal 2006. This rise was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraina and Central European markets. Exports to North America at 59,920 units were 14.4 percent down, attributable to market conditions in the second half of the fiscal year.

Source: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

ASIMO will focus attention on the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) nationally acclaimed music programs for young people in Detroit by conducting the orchestra as it performs “Impossible Dream” to open a special concert performance with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma at 8 p.m, Tuesday, May 13. Honda hopes ASIMO’s appearance will draw attention to the DSO’s music education programs, and particularly the DSO’s effort to encourage and support involvement of children in Detroit. In addition, ASIMO will demonstrate its unique capabilities for hundreds of area school children at 10:45 a.m, May 14 prior to a specially arranged master class in Orchestra Hall, where a select group of music students will receive personal music instruction from Yo-Yo Ma. In attendance will be students from the Detroit School of Arts (DSA), Detroit Renaissance and Cass Technical high schools, as well as from schools across metro Detroit and Windsor, Canada.

ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is designed to help people and will someday assist the elderly and disabled in their homes. But while Honda continues to develop and enhance ASIMO’s capabilities, ASIMO is being used today to encourage and inspire young students to consider studies in math and science. The addition of music education to ASIMO’s repertoire is a natural extension of these efforts.

As recently announced, Honda is providing the DSO with a gift of more than $1 million to create The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund. With the Detroit Public Schools drastically reducing or eliminating music programs due to financial constraints, many students are denied the opportunity to learn to play instruments, read music, and participate in bands or orchestras. Honda has partnered with the DSO to develop an innovative, multi-faceted program to promote and support music education as well as to promote diversity in the field of classical music. In addition to sponsorship of the YoYo Ma performance and Master’s Class for students in May, over the next five years the Honda partnership with DSO will include:

As part of this initiative, Honda is working with the DSO to solicit contributions from donors. More information on this initiative, including how to participate, can be found online at http://ww.detroitsymphony.com. About Detroit Symphony Orchestra The Detroit Symphony Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE) program is Michigan’s most comprehensive pre-professional training program for orchestra, chamber, wind and jazz musicians. One of the cornerstones of the DSO’s educational mission, the program now boasts nine different classical and jazz ensembles. Nearly 500 students weekly ages 8 to 24 come from dozens of Southeast Michigan schools and colleges to participate weekly. Members of Civic rehearse at the Jacob Bernard Pincus Music Education Center (located inside The Max) and each ensemble performs a three-concert season at The Max. Participants enjoy unparalleled access to DSO musicians who interact closely with students by leading sectionals and coaching the chamber groups. Students also frequently benefit from master classes and rehearsals with guests artists and conductors including such luminary stars as Itzhak Perlman, Midori, Pincus Zukerman, Regina Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Yan Pascal Tortelier,

The Detroit Symphony Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE) program is Michigan’s most comprehensive pre-professional training program for orchestra, chamber, wind and jazz musicians. One of the cornerstones of the DSO’s educational mission, the program now boasts nine different classical and jazz ensembles. Nearly 500 students weekly ages 8 to 24 come from dozens of Southeast Michigan schools and colleges to participate weekly. Members of Civic rehearse at the Jacob Bernard Pincus Music Education Center (located inside The Max) and each ensemble performs a three-concert season at The Max. Participants enjoy unparalleled access to DSO musicians who interact closely with students by leading sectionals and coaching the chamber groups. Studentsalso frequently benefit from master classes and rehearsals with guests artists and conductors including such luminary stars as Itzhak Perlman, Midori, Pincus Zukerman, Regina Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Yan Pascal Tortelier,Neeme Järvi, Thomas Wilkins and Hugh Wolff. More information about DSO and its educational programs is available online at http://ww.detroitsymphony.com.

Source: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.