The times when the Tokyo Motor Present was a globally famend showcase of automotive prowess are lengthy gone. Now rebranded because the Japan Mobility Present, the biennial mega-event in Tokyo has morphed right into a broad celebration of mobility in all its types. And whereas the native market stays as distinctive and engaging as ever, no model desires to be caught misfiring.
Anybody assuming that electrical drivetrains dominate in Japan—or that they might headline this occasion—could be very a lot mistaken. A short drive by way of Tokyo, a megacity of over 30 million, reveals that EVs are nonetheless fringe gamers on Japanese roads. Relying on the model, electrical autos make up solely a small single-digit proportion of latest automotive registrations. Public chargers are uncommon, and the place electrification does exist, the Japanese nonetheless choose their tried-and-tested hybrid tech, particularly for navigating city visitors the place it meaningfully improves real-world effectivity. As for what dominates the streets, it’s the identical story as all the time: tiny kei automobiles stay the heartbeat of the world’s largest metropolis—inexpensive, tax-friendly, and completely tailored to city life.
This distinctive home flavour extends from the streets into the cavernous halls of Tokyo Large Sight. Nationwide manufacturers similar to Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and Honda firmly set the tone for the present, every placing their unmistakably Japanese stamp on proceedings. BMW is among the few European producers that continues to make a giant play right here. But manufacturers like Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche nonetheless keep vital enchantment amongst Japanese automotive fans, even when the present itself has turn out to be much less of a precedence for them.
Toyota continues to construct the legend of the Land Cruiser with the disclosing of the all-new Land Cruiser FJ. At 4.57 metres lengthy and based mostly on the Hilux Champ offered in Southeast Asia, it’s powered by a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 161 PS, paired with a six-speed guide and switchable four-wheel drive. Much more putting on Toyota’s stand is the ultra-luxury Century sub-brand. As soon as the unique area of Japanese royalty and high CEOs—initially powered by V12s and later hybridised V8s—Century is now a premium sub-label showcasing high-end SUVs.
Mazda unveiled two eye-catching idea automobiles with clear manufacturing potential. The 510 PS Imaginative and prescient X Coupé, a plug-in hybrid, previews a brand new efficiency flagship. In the meantime, the rounded, city-friendly X-Compact seems like a direct preview of the next-generation Mazda2. Additionally flying the compact flag is Mini, a model with deep affection in Japan. The brand new Paul Smith Version Cooper made its debut right here, celebrating each the mannequin and the 79-year-old designer. In such revered firm, even the brand new BMW iX3 appeared to fade into the background at its Asian premiere.
Tokyo with out kei automobiles? Unthinkable. These micro machines, sometimes powered by tiny turbo engines below 660cc, stay omnipresent. Suzuki used the present to show they are often electrical, too. The Suzuki Imaginative and prescient e-Sky previews a compact EV set to launch subsequent 12 months, providing 270 km of vary in simply 3.4 metres of size—very best for Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto. The e Each Idea van, developed with Toyota and Daihatsu, shares the identical dimensions and guarantees 200 km of vary.
Mitsubishi’s Elevance Idea previews the model’s future flagship, based mostly on the next-generation Outlander platform. CEO Takao Kato says it “combines our greatest electrification and all-wheel-drive applied sciences,” whereas the Delica vary continues to evolve in design and efficiency. Nissan, in the meantime, made waves by bringing the long-lasting Patrol SUV again to Japan for the primary time since 2007. Carefully associated to the brand new Micra (itself a cousin of the Renault 5), the Patrol returns to do battle with the Land Cruiser, G-Class, and Vary Rover.
Maybe extra vital for Nissan is the all-new Elgrand. Since 1997, it has outlined the premium minivan phase in Japan. Now in its fourth era, it brings up to date design and new electrified drivetrains to a class that’s vastly vital regionally. Kawasaki additionally made a splash, unveiling hydrogen-powered ideas for each quad bikes and bikes. Subaru revived its STI badge with the Efficiency-E STI and Efficiency-B STI idea automobiles. And for these preferring a rugged aesthetic, Wilderness variations of the Forester and Outback have been additionally on show.
