Collision Concierge » Japan

Toyota gets slammed in Japan with Aqua/Prius C pre-orders

Danny King — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Perhaps the the "c" in the Prius C stands for ka-ching. According to reports, Toyota in Japan received 10 times its monthly sales target in pre-orders for the compact version of its Prius hybrid within the first five days of the model's debut, leading to what's likely to be a shortage and long wait times for the car.

HybridCars.com, citing the Japanese publication Nikkei, says the Japanese automaker received about 120,000 orders for the Aqua between December 26 and 31, adding that Toyota had targeted sales of about 12,000 units a month. Toyota had already received about 60,000 orders prior to the launch of the model, which will be called the Prius C when it debuts in the U.S. later this year, and had estimated a four-month wait time between order and delivery. Toyota's current production capacity is limited to 30,000 Prius C units a month.

The glut of pre-orders is likely to create yet another supply shortage situation for Toyota, whose production of the Prius and other models was hampered by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March. This led, in part, to Toyota's U.S. Prius sales falling 3.2 percent last year, though last month's sales were up 8.7 percent from a year earlier.

The Prius C, whose fuel economy is estimated at about 50 miles per gallon, is scheduled to start sales in the U.S. in March and will be priced at just under $19,000. Toyota also started recently started selling the Prius V wagon - which is also incredibly popular so far - and will debut a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius this year.

Toyota gets slammed in Japan with Aqua/Prius C pre-orders originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow

Domenick Yoney — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Japan

While there were concerns that the Nissan Leaf might not be a very good vehicle for colder climates, the automaker is ready to demonstrate otherwise. It recently invited a few dozen journalists to have a go in the snow with its signature all-electric on a test course in Shibetsu, Hokkaido in the north of Japan. Informative video ensued.

With a backdrop of a brace of Leafs frolicking about in the white stuff, interviews were conducted with both engineers and journalists and, from them, we learn some interesting tidbits. For instance, the Leaf battery pack can maintain an operating temperature nicely above freezing despite a chilly -9 C (15.8 F) reading outside. Also, Nissan is working on a new, more efficient, heating system for the passenger cabin, which is good since trying to keep the occupants warm has, perhaps, the biggest impact on decreasing winter driving range.

The cavorting journalists seemed impressed and even surprised with the Leaf's driving dynamics in the slippery conditions. With a low center of gravity, even weight distribution and traction control, the car displayed a comfortable amount of well-mannered poise. Of course, we wouldn't dream of pointing out the pylon that gets punched at precisely 18 seconds into the first video, since that speaks as much to the driver's ability as it does to the vehicle's handling.

Anyhoo, without further ado, hit the jump for a very snowy EV encounter. Besides the main video, which gives an overall rundown of the event, we've also included four more clips featuring further footage of the interviews with company officials and participants. Enjoy.

Continue reading Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow

Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow

Domenick Yoney — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Japan, Videos

Continue reading Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow

Watch a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs frolic in the snow originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda sells 800,000-hybrids 12 years after Insight debut

Danny King — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda

Honda Motor Co. sold its 800,000th hybrid-electric vehicle last month, about 12 years after the Japanese automaker sold its first. The company announced the milestone as it prepares to sell the first North American hybrid under its Acura luxury badge.

Honda debuted hybrid sales with the first-generation Insight in late 1999. That model achieved fuel economy of about 80 miles per gallon on the Japanese test cycle, making the model the most fuel-efficient among any gas-powered vehicle at the time. Honda, which today sells seven hybrid models in 50 countries, will start selling the Acura ILX hybrid in North America this spring.

Last year, Honda sold almost 31,600 hybrids in the U.S.. That's down 5.9 percent from a year earlier and about one-sixth of what Toyota sold in the U.S. Honda's U.S. hybrid sales, like Toyota's, were believed to be hampered by supply issues stemming from the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March.

By comparison, Toyota, the world's biggest maker of hybrids, sold its two millionth Prius hybrid worldwide in October 2010. Toyota introduced the Prius to Japan in 1997 and to Europe and North America three years later.

Continue reading Honda sells 800,000-hybrids 12 years after Insight debut

Honda sells 800,000-hybrids 12 years after Insight debut originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Umm, what? Camp-Inn Japan concocts Prius Relax Cabin camper conversion

Domenick Yoney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Japan

Attendees of the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon might have been forgiven for thinking that a certain Toyota Prius on display was under attack from a giant marshmallow from outer space. In fact, the only assault taking place was one on their visual senses, as that large mallow-looking mass integrated into the top and hindquarters of the hybrid was actually purposely added to create a new camping vehicle from Camp-Inn Japan.

The Relax Cabin (code-named "Space Shuttle" for, perhaps, obvious reasons) was created by adding a fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) module to a 2012 Toyota Prius. The reconfigured vehicle keeps the mechanicals intact and stretches the bodywork out to 4980mm (16.34 feet) from stem to stern. The enlarged interior comes equipped with sleeping mats as well as a small removable table.

The configuration sleeps four - five, if they are previously well-acquainted - and will reportedly sell for ¥4,000,000 ($52,016 U.S. at today's rates). Besides offering shelter for those occasional wilderness excursions, the Relax Cabin should also make finding your vehicle in the shopping mall parking lot a whole lot easier.

Umm, what? Camp-Inn Japan concocts Prius Relax Cabin camper conversion originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

Zach Bowman — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:58:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota

Saying the Toyota 2000GT holds a special place in our hearts is akin to calling oxygen and water kind of important to our survival. The long-nose two-door was envisioned as a suitable competitor to the likes of the European sports cars rolling out Italy and the UK at the time, and in many ways, the Toyota was far superior. Built at a time when Japan Inc. wasn't exactly known for beautiful automobile designs, the 2000GT may have been influenced by European cars of its day, but it has stood the test of time as one of the country's all-time design greats. The low-volume coupe is a piece of automotive legend, which is exactly why choosing to use a 2000GT as a platform for an electric conversion strikes us equal parts blasphemous and awesome. But that's exactly what Japan's Crazy Car Project has done.

The engineers behind the exercise ditched the standard 2.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine in favor of a 161-horsepower electric motor. A 35-kWh lithium-ion battery provides the system with power, and the hood has been covered with photovoltaic cells to help keep the car going. Likewise, the back glass is covered in a transparent solar panel. All told, the system can propel the vehicle to around 124 mph.

Inside, the 2000GT SEV features a modernized interior with plenty of tech-laden gadgets. The vehicle was built in cooperation with Toyota and debuted at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. Let's hope they started with a real basket case, eh? Hit the jump to see a video of the car in action.

Continue reading Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. auto execs are the least optimistic about electric-drive adoption

Danny King — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, MPG

U.S. automobile executives are less optimistic about consumer adoption of electric-drive vehicles than their colleagues overseas, reflecting what they say is a lack of consensus over which type of electrified powertrain will become predominant over the next few years, consultant KPMG International said in its 13th annual Global Automotive Executive Survey.

About half of the U.S. automobile executives polled said electric-drive car registrations would account for between 6 percent and 10 percent of all new car registrations in 2025, while more than half of the China-based executives say electric-drive vehicles will account for between 11 and 25 percent of new cars. And in Japan, more than half the executives say electric-drive vehicles will account for at least a quarter of the new cars, according to KPMG.

Powertrain electrification is topical because more than three-quarters of those surveyed said fuel efficiency is the most important issues consumers factor in when buying a new car. Still, most of those surveyed said increasing gas-engine fuel efficiency will be a more effective way to cut automobiles' greenhouse-gas emissions over the next five years than investment in electric powertrains.

"Compared to previous years' results, the findings this year tell us that auto experts have no clear idea of the direction the industry is heading," said Mathieu Meyer, partner and head of automotive for Europe at KPMG, in a statement.

KPMG surveyed 200 auto executives by phone between last August and October. Almost half the executives were based in Europe, 31 percent were based in Asia-Pacific and 22 percent were in the Americas.

U.S. auto execs are the least optimistic about electric-drive adoption originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda’s lightweighting efforts include welding panels to frames

Danny King — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Honda, Lightweight

Honda Motor Co. is looking to cut weight from its vehicles by changing its manufacturing methods to reduce the number of bolts and reinforcement materials, Reuters reported, citing the Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

The Japanese automaker will start welding exterior panels to the vehicle frames instead of assembling the vehicle's side, ceiling and other panels individually, according to the wire service. Honda is using the new method for its N Box mini-vehicle (pictured), which debuted in Japan earlier this month, and will expand the practice to all models within the next few years. The practice cut the N Box's weight by about 10 percent as well as reduced manufacturing costs.

Honda is among many automakers trying to cut vehicle weight as a way to reduce fuel economy in order to conform to more stringent greenhouse-gas emissions standards both in the U.S. and overseas. By making its cars lighter, Honda's also trying to speed up its entry to emerging markets, Reuters said.

Honda's model-year 2010 U.S. vehicles achieved a fleetwide 25.6 miles per gallon combined, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That was second-best to Hyundai among the 14 largest U.S. vehicle makers. It's also 3.1 mpg better than the overall average, so any increase just puts competitors further behind.

Honda's lightweighting efforts include welding panels to frames originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Sim-Lei is an EV approved for use on the Death Star

Domenick Yoney — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Japan, Videos

Looking for all the world like an elongated Mitsubishi i MiEV that a Stormtrooper would drive, the SIM-LEI recently made an appearance at the 2011 Electric Vehicle Industrial Exhibition in Tokyo. It's been a while since we first caught wind of the SIM-LEI and we've been curious to get a better look at this super-efficient prototype ever since. And now we have.

Developed by Hiroshi Shimizu - the man behind the amazing eight-wheeled Eliica vehicles - the SIM-LEI produces a combination of numbers that puts other all-electrics to shame. Numbers like 0-to-60 in 4.8 seconds and 77 Wh/km (123.9 watt-hours per mile). More numbers? How about 305 km (189.5 miles) at 100 km/h (62 mph) with a 24.5 kWh battery. Eat your heart out Nissan Leaf.

If SIM-Drive, Shimizu-san's company, sees its vision realized there is another number we'd like to see associated with the retail version of this vehicle; $24,900. That's the price they calculate they could sell it for in volumes of 100,000 units. Perhaps that's a long shot, but hey, you've got to have goals.

But enough of numbers. Hit the jump for excellent video that explores the SIM-LEI inside and out (check out that 19-inch display!) and let us know where you stand on efficiency and performance versus Clone armor.

Continue reading The Sim-Lei is an EV approved for use on the Death Star

The Sim-Lei is an EV approved for use on the Death Star originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Aqua (Prius C) comes to Japan, 60,000 orders already in

Danny King — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota

This week, Toyota Motor Corp. started selling its Aqua hybrid-electric compact car in Japan as the world's biggest hybrid-vehicle maker looks to build upon the success of its Prius with a smaller, more efficient variant.

The Aqua, which is about the size of a Toyota Yaris, has a base price of 1.69 million yen ($21,669 U.S. at today's exchange rates) and gets about 83 miles per gallon (on the forgiving Japanese test cycle), Toyota said in a statement Monday. The car pairs a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery. The two motors deliver a combined 98 horsepower and give the car a 0-62 miles per hour acceleration time of 10.7 seconds.

Toyota is looking to sell 12,000 Aquas a month in Japan - and is already way ahead of that target. The automaker has received 60,000 pre-orders for the car, according to Ubergizmo. Toyota unveiled a handful of production and concept Aqua models last month at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and will debut the model stateside as the Prius C at the Detroit Auto Show next month. That car is likely to get better than 50 miles per gallon per EPA standards.

Through the first 11 months of the year, Toyota sold about 120,000 Prius vehicles in the U.S., which accounted for about half the hybrids and battery-electric vehicles sold domestically. For the 2012 model year, Toyota started selling two new variants of the Prius in the U.S.: the Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Prius V wagon. The Plug-In has a base price of $32,000, while the Prius V starts at $26,400.

Continue reading Toyota Aqua (Prius C) comes to Japan, 60,000 orders already in

Toyota Aqua (Prius C) comes to Japan, 60,000 orders already in originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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