Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today revealed the all-new, third generation of its highly successful Nissan Cube in launch events in Japan, the United States and Europe. The fully redesigned Cube continues the iconic “cubic” styling of the previous generation, adding a higher level of refinement and polish inside and out. Sales of the new Cube begin in Japan on Nov. 26, followed by North American in the spring of 2009, and Europe and other global markets in fall 2009.

Originally launched in 1998, the Cube has sold nearly one million units to date in Japan. The latest version maintains the distinctive exterior styling that is instantly recognizable as the Cube, such as the asymmetric rear end, while pursuing a simpler, more universal design for its debut on the world stage. It offers greater comfort, a larger cabin and a host of innovative interior details such as sofa-like seating, a large glass roof panel that extends over the driver’s seat for an open, airy view of the outside environment, and a shoji-style roof shade that fills the cabin with gentle light. Despite its increased roominess, the new Cube remains less than four meters long, providing big utility within a small physical footprint. With its excellent visibility and maneuverability, along with smooth performance and high fuel efficiency, the new Cube is a high-performance daily driver created to be enjoyed by value-conscious buyers worldwide.

“The new Cube is designed for people who imagine a life less ordinary, who have grown tired of the never-ending pursuit of faster, more powerful, more outrageously styled cars,” said Yosuke Iwasa, Segment Chief Product Specialist. “The quieter, more harmonious qualities of the Cube have attracted interest not only among young people, but for those in every walk of life. While carrying forward the concept of the original Cube, this latest edition has advanced significantly, including offering far greater comfort.”

“The new Cube is a refined car of universal quality and appeal, that can compete without ‘makeup’ or excessive decoration,” said Seiji Watanabe, Associate Product Chief Designer. “The development concept took the approach of ‘purifying’ the Cube design, rather than “evolving’ it. A jagged rock, for instance, loses its edges and takes on a polish as it travels down a river. This is the sort of refinement we wanted for the new Cube. We worked to simplify its exterior, using fewer lines and widening certain areas. We allowed the Cube design to refine itself, moving closer to nature and suggesting human warmth. The resulting ‘purer, more peaceful’ design is just what we wanted. It is a vehicle for people who are not being influenced by others, who go their own way, and enjoy interactions with friends in a welcoming atmosphere.”

Source: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

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Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) has announced today that Mazda and several of its strategic business partners will acquire a part of Ford Motor Company’s (Ford) shares in Mazda through market trading.

As a result, the ratio of Ford’s ownership of Mazda stock will be reduced from 33.4 percent to just over 13 percent, with the new agreement allowing the two companies to continue their strategic relationship that spans nearly 30 years.

“The sale of Mazda shares by our partner, Ford, will not result in any change in Mazda’s strategic direction and we will continue to accelerate our product-led brand improvement and cost innovation initiatives,” says Mazda’s Chairman, President and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki. “We will continue our strategic relationship through our ongoing joint ventures with Ford, as well as the sharing of platforms and powertrains.”

“This agreement allows Ford to raise capital that will help fund our product-led transformation, and at the same time, allows Ford and Mazda to continue our successful strategic relationship in the best interest of both companies,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally.

Ford’s sale of the Mazda stock will be achieved through Mazda and a group of Mazda’s strategic business partners each buying a portion of the shares

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Suzuki Motor Corporation made an announcement today concerning the sale of Suzuki shares by General Motors Corporation with a mutual agreement to continue the implementation and expansion of the business relationship between the companies.

Suzuki and GM have maintained a constructive business relationship that dates back to August 1981. The companies have agreed to be committed to continue promoting and implementing not only our existing projects, including development collaboration on advanced automotive technologies, but also collaboration on entries in new emerging markets.

The above agreement is based on a recent dialogue between Rick Wagoner, Chairman and CEO, General Motors Corporation, and Osamu Suzuki, Chairman and CEO, Suzuki Motor Corporation. This has been supported and already approved by both GM and Suzuki boards by today. They also confirmed to give positive consideration on a possibility for GM to repurchase Suzuki shares in the future.

GM plans to sell 16,413,000 Suzuki shares, which is equal to 3 percent of Suzuki’s total issued common stock, on the open market on 18 November. Suzuki will utilize the TSE-sanctioned TosTNET-2 (pre-announcement based, treasury stock purchasing system) to purchase the equivalent number of shares to be sold by GM as its treasury stock through the open market.

The purchasing price will be the closing price today of JPY1,363/share. The total amount is estimated to be JPY22,370,919,000. The funds required to purchase the stock will come out of Suzuki’s own internal reserve.

Statements by Osamu Suzuki

“Suzuki and GM have been constantly exchanging frank opinions on various topics as business partners. As GM taking this particular step to sell the shares it owns as a step toward strengthening its balance sheet is very understandable, we wanted to support GM’s decision. We confirmed each other in a conference call with Wagoner-san and me that all individual initiatives will be pursued as they are today. There will be no impact on Suzuki’s current business plan.”

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(MISSISSAUGA) - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce a new sales record for the month of October. Total retails of 1,784 units were up 23.4 percent over last October.

During the month, sales of the Subaru Impreza reached 819 units, an increase of 11.9 percent for the month. Sales of the new 2009 Forester also continued to be strong, with sales of 562 units outstripping last October’s performance by 128.5 percent. Tribeca sales are climbing steadily, as well; sales outperformed the previous October by 23.4 percent.

“The launch of the new 2009 Impreza lineup is bringing enthusiastic drivers into Subaru dealerships, just as the launch of the new Forester did just a few months ago,” said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of SCI. “These new vehicles have struck a chord with drivers and families who are discovering Subaru’s unique combination of All-Wheel Drive safety, versatility, power and handling. Every Subaru is a lot of car for the money-a huge advantage in uncertain economic times.”

Already gathering an impressive collection of awards, the 2009 Forester was recently named the year’s best new SUV/CUV under $35,000 by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada, and the best Sport/Utility of the Year by Motor Trend magazine.

Source: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Honda’s cumulative worldwide motorcycle production reached the 200 million-unit milestone at the end of September 2008. Honda achieved this milestone in the 60th year since the company began motorcycle production in 1949 with the Dream D-type.

The history of Honda’s motorcycle business began with the start of mass-production of the Dream D-type in 1949. Production outside of Japan began at Honda’s motorcycle plant in Belgium in 1963, and since then Honda has been expanding its local production to many countries around the world based on Honda’s commitment to “build products close to the customer.” Honda first cultivates new markets and establishes a business foundation with motorcycles, which later serves as the foundation of automobile business. Honda currently produces motorcycles at 32 plants in 22 countries around the world. Moreover, Honda established local motorcycle R&D operations in the U.S., Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, and India dedicating its effort to develop motorcycles that meet the needs of local customers.

Honda’s annual worldwide motorcycle sales exceeded 10 million units in 2004, and 2007 sales reached 13.47 million units, a 7% increase from 2006. Honda envisions sales of more than 18 million units in 2010. Toward this end, Honda will continue offering products which fulfill the diversifying needs of customers around the world.

Source: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

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Honda Cumulative Global Motorcycle Exporters