Mazda Motor Corporation has commenced sales of the facelifted Mazda Atenza (known overseas as the Mazda6) for the Japanese market. Available in three body styles — Sedan, Sport (five-door hatchback) and Sport Wagon — Mazda’s globally acclaimed mid-size car has been refined and evolved, and it goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

The Mazda Atenza has attracted a wide range of customers with its sporty styling and exceptional driving performance. The enhancements for the freshened Mazda Atenza are based on the Zoom-Zoom evolution development concept, and include improvements to its environmental and safety attributes, driving performance, interior and exterior design, and quality levels.

The 2.0-liter engine Atenza models, available in both the Sedan and Sport Wagon body types, have been updated with Mazda’s direct injection MZR 2.0L DISI*1 gasoline engine. This engine provides plenty of power as well as outstanding fuel economy that exceeds Japan’s “2010 fuel economy standard plus 15%.” All grades equipped with a 2.0-liter engine qualify for Japan’s eco-car incentive program and are subject to 50 percent less tax under the government’s eco-car tax reduction program. Additionally, the entire Atenza range, including front-wheel drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) grades, qualify as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV) by achieving exhaust emissions that are at least 75 percent lower than the levels set in the Japanese Government’s 2005 exhaust emissions standard.

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Orders in Japan for Toyota’s new Prius hybrid have topped a booming 110,000, a major dealership chain said Saturday, in what is turning out to be a rare bright spot in the gloomy auto market.

The third-generation Prius officially rolled out in Japan just two weeks ago. But dealers are already flooded with orders, including some placed weeks in advance, according to the dealership.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, said two weeks ago that it received 80,000 advance orders, and has not updated that number.

But the Toyota Tokyo Corolla dealer said Saturday that nationwide orders at Toyota dealerships in Japan, including those of rivals, have soared to 110,000. Dealers tally their customer orders differently from the way manufacturers do.

But any way you slice it, the Prius is a hit. Toyota has set its monthly sales target for Japan at 10,000 new Prius cars — a figure that should make it the top-selling car in the country.

As the orders stack up, the company looks on track to meet or even surpass its goal and take that crown — an astonishing accomplishment for a hybrid, although the Prius is fighting competition from another new hybrid, Honda Motor Co.’s Insight.

Hybrids are in demand partly because the Japanese government began offering tax exemptions for the cars to encourage their sales earlier this year.

Parliament gave consumers added incentive Friday when it approved a cash-back rebate for trading in cars 13 years or older for greener cars.

Hybrids also promise savings on gas. In Japan, where frequent stop-and-go traffic lowers the fuel efficiency of gas-engine cars but actually raises it in hybrids, the Prius is promising nearly 90 miles per gallon (38 kilometers per liter). In heavy traffic, hybrids rely on their electric motors and thus burn no gas.

The overall Japanese auto market has been languishing for years, with vehicle sales falling to their lowest level in more than three decades last year. Demand has worsened since the U.S. financial crisis sent this nation into a recession.

Toyota, which also makes Lexus luxury models and the Camry sedan, has said it is increasing Prius production to meet demand.

But it is still expecting a 550 billion yen ($5.7 billion) loss for the fiscal year through March 2010, its second straight year in the red, because of the global auto slump and the unfavorable exchange rate in a strong yen.

Next Generation Honda Civic could be downsizing to 1,695 mm by width for pay less 5 number body tax and directly compete to Corolla and Tiida.

Exterior Design will be Keep Concept.

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned “Crown Majesta”.

The fifth-generation Crown Majesta—the Toyota brand’s top sedan—features a high-quality interior with enhanced comfort and safety features, all designed to offer the highest levels of satisfaction to both drivers and passengers.

Specific improvements include a longer wheelbase and exterior styling that exudes presence and energy. The 4.6-liter V8 gasoline engine provides ample power and is combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth, powerful cruising and response. In addition, three world-first1 technologies—the Front-side Pre-crash Safety System, Pre-crash Seatbacks and a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) rear-seat center airbag—enhance safety and improve overall vehicle performance.

Monthly sales target for Japan: 1,000 units

Assembly Plant:
Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

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Suzuki Motor Corp.’s WagonR minicar retained the top spot for the second straight month in Japan’s new car sales ranking for January, with 16,876 units, down 1.0 percent from a year earlier, data released by industry bodies showed Thursday.

Low-priced, fuel efficient minivehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc accounted for half of the top 10 spots, according to the data released by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.

Daihatsu Motor Co.’s Move minicar came second, selling 15,786 units, up 14.4 percent, and Daihatsu’s Tanto minicar ranked third with sales of 11,027 units, down 6.4 percent.

Toyota Motor Corp.’s hybrid model Prius joined the top 10 list, ranking 10th with sales of 5,730 units, up 9.2 percent.

Honda Motor Co.’s Fit subcompact, the best-selling subcompact in the month, ranked fourth with sales of 8,723 units, down 42.2 percent.

Sales of Toyota’s Passo subcompact, which ranked fifth, jumped 47.9 percent to 7,278 units due to the marketing of its Passo Sette minivan in December last year.

Among other minicars in the top 10 list, Honda’s Life ranked sixth with sales of 6,826 units, up 15.0 percent, and Suzuki’s Alto came ninth with sales of 6,082 units, up 10.7 percent.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that the all-new Insight hybrid vehicle will go on sale in Japan on Friday, February 6, 2009. A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback starting at an affordable ¥1,890,000*1, the Insight features a lightweight, compact hybrid system that combines exceptional fuel economy with fun-to-drive performance.

Designed to set the standard for compact cars for a new era, the Insight combines outstanding environmental performance with fun, responsive driving and efficient, versatile packaging. The all-new Honda Insight was developed with the goal to provide these attributes in a car that is affordable to more customers.

Offering customers exceptional fuel economy, the Insight features a newly developed hybrid system including a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) as standard equipment on all models.
* The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.
*1 Manufacturer’s suggested retail price including consumption tax for the G-type

< Exceptional Environmental Performance >
Featuring a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and lightweight, compact Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), the Insight hybrid system offers exceptional fuel economy: 26 km/L in JC08 mode and 30 km/L in 10•15 mode.*2
Designed to reduce air flow resistance and enhance fuel efficiency, the aerodynamic body achieves a world-leading coefficient of drag of 0.28.*3
Standard on all models, the new Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) is designed to help drivers further enhance fuel efficiency.

< Efficient, Versatile Packaging>
Packaging features a compact body, low vehicle height and a comfortable interior with superior utility.
The rear cargo area is spacious and easy to use.

< Fun, Comfortable Driving>
In the city and on the highway, the Insight offers fun, relaxed daily driving and a comfortable ride.

< Affordable Pricing >
Cost reduction was achieved through enhanced efficiency of the IMA system and the use of parts shared with other Honda automobiles.
Increased efficiency of production processes was achieved.

*2 G-type and L-type
*3 Five-passenger production automobiles (Honda calculations)

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Specification

Body size L x W x H  = 4,590 / 1,695-1,745 / 1,590 (mm)
Wheelbase = 2,750 (mm)
Front track wheel/Rear track wheel = 1,490-1,505 / 1,470-1,495 (mm)

Interior Space L x W x H = 2,660 / 1,470 / 1,315 (mm).

Engine
1.8 L 2ZR-FAE DOHC Dual VVTi +Valvemetric
106kW(144PS)/6,400rpm
176Nm(17.9kg-m)/4,400rpm

2.0 L 2ZR-FAE DOHC Dual VVTi +Valvemetric
118kW(158PS)/6,200rpm
196Nm(20.0kg-m)/4,400rpm

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Nissan Motor Co plans to move production of its March subcompact to Thailand from Japan as part of a structural overhaul to cope with falling car demand and a strong yen, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

The shift will make Nissan the first Japanese automaker to move production of a top-selling model overseas, the report said, without citing sources.

Nissan, which is widely expected to report an operating loss for the year ending March 31, sells about 47,000 March models a year in the domestic market, the business daily said.

When the vehicle is due for a full remodeling in 2010, Nissan will cease production in Japan and import all units for the domestic market from Thailand, the Nikkei said.

Nissan, Japan’s third-biggest automaker, will also shift production of the Micra — the March for overseas markets — from the UK to India in 2010, when that vehicle is slated for a full makeover of its own, it said.

As part of the structural shakeup, Nissan will reduce to 48 from 60 the number of new and redesigned models to be introduced over five years starting in the current fiscal year ending March 31, the newspaper said.

Nissan, which is owned 44 percent by Renault SA (RENA.PA), also plans to postpone the opening of a plant in Morocco, to be built jointly with Renault, initially scheduled for 2010.

Construction plans for factories in India and Russia will be downsized or delayed, the Nikkei said.

The automaker may also eliminate bonuses for executives for the current fiscal year and intends to sharply reduce their pay for April and afterward, the report said.

Nissan had initially projected that consolidated operating profit for the year to March 31 would fall by about 30 percent to 550 billion yen $6.15 billion), but downgraded the forecast to 270 billion yen in October.

A company source said this week that the company now expects to post an operating loss instead of a profit. The loss would be the first since Carlos Ghosn become CEO in 1999.

source : reuters.com

source : http://www.newcar-network.org

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new, fully redesigned Fairlady Z sports car, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide.

In the nearly 40 years since the first-generation S30 model debuted in 1969, the Fairlady Z has earned a reputation as one of the most desirable sports cars in the world, with approximately 1.7 million units in global sales to date.

The latest Fairlady Z, while embodying the first generation’s signature “Z-ness” in terms of high performance, design and high value, incorporates dramatic advances in dynamic performance and perceived quality. The Z also offers a strong feeling of “newness,” as expressed by its fresh exterior and interior styling and new performance features.

The new Fairlady Z’s enhanced performance characteristics are a result of its shorter wheelbase, reduced weight and the adoption of the larger, more powerful VQ37VHR 3.7-liter V6 engine. It also offers the world’s first 6-speed manual transmission with synchronized rev control or a newly developed 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. The combination of more horsepower, new transmissions and a refined suspension helps the Fairlady Z deliver the superior acceleration, cornering and stopping capabilities expected of a true world-class sports car.

Helping the driver take full advantage of the new performance levels is a redesigned interior that aims for “oneness” between the driver and the cockpit, combining sports car functionality with an impression of stellar quality. And, along with its world-class dynamic performance and dynamic design, the new Fairlady Z once again offers exceptional value, giving customers the confidence of having made a wise purchase decision.

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