YOKOHAMA (Nov. 27, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its production, sales and export figures for October, 2009.

1. Production
   Nissan’s global production rose year-on-year for the first time in 15 months, rising 9.9% to 306,146 units.

   Production in Japan decreased 1.0% year-on-year to 99,121 units.

   Production outside of Japan rose year-on-year for the first time in 15 months, rising 16.0% to 207,025 units.

   In the U.S., production increased 10.3% year-on-year to 46,633 units due to some improvements in the pickup truck and SUV segments.

   In Mexico, production decreased 11.5% year-on-year to 41,162 units.

   In the U.K., production increased 12.6% year-on-year to 39,687 units due to increased demand for Micra and Note.

   In China, production saw a significant increase of 63.1% year-on-year to 52,977 units marking an all-time record for the month of October.

   Production in other regions increased 38.0% year-on-year to 20,900 units, particularly in Thailand and Brazil.

2. Sales
   Global sales increased 9.8% to 286,624 units compared to the previous year.

   Including mini-vehicles, Nissan sold 44,307 units in Japan, up 6.0% year-on-year. Market share was up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year to 11.2%.

   In Japan, vehicle registrations in October increased 15.3% year-on-year to 36,563 units due to increased demand for models eligible for the preferential tax exemption such as Serena, Note and Cube. Nissan’s share of the domestic market registrations in October was up 0.3 percentage points year-on-year to 13.9%.

   Domestic sales of mini-vehicles were down 23.3% from the previous year to 7,744 units.

   Sales outside of Japan increased 10.5% year-on-year to 242,317 units.

   Sales in the U.S. increased 5.6% year-on-year to 60,115 units due to some improvements seen in the SUV and pick up truck segments, with models such as the Rogue and Frontier.

   In Europe, sales increased 11.3% year-on-year to 45,225 units due to the popularity of Qashqai, Note, Micra and the new Pixo. Market share in October was up 0.4 percentage points year-on-year to 2.8%.

   China saw a record month in October with sales up a significant 60.7% year-on-year to 71,775 units with continued demand for Teana and Sylphy.

   Sales in other regions were down 16.5% from the previous year to 44,333 units.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091127-01-e.html

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HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will collaborate with Itochu Corporation and other companies in conjunction with Tsukuba City on a joint project to test a low-carbon transport system which uses clean energy. The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project is scheduled to commence in March 2010 in Tsukuba city, near Tokyo, Japan.

The project aims to comprehensively assess a low-carbon energy network composed of electric vehicles (EVs), rapid chargers, fixed battery stations, solar panels and a car sharing service. Mazda will provide three Mazda Demios for conversion to EVs, and will assist in determining optimum vehicle specifications and evaluating vehicle performance.

In order to provide all its customers with driving pleasure as well as superb environmental and safety performance, Mazda has adopted a policy to comprehensively improve its internal combustion engines and then progressively combine them with electric devices. This process includes the i-stop idling stop system, regenerative braking and hybrid systems. Through its participation in the Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project, Mazda aims to further strengthen the base of its future R&D activities. Mazda’s collaboration with various corporations and organizations will enable a broader knowledge base, including expertise related to EV infrastructure and the reuse of EV batteries. This will also benefit Mazda as it advances development of its electric drive technologies.

Going forward, Mazda will proactively work toward the establishment of a sustainable society and the evolution of environmental and safety technology based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which was announced in 2007.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200911/091127a.html

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November 26th, 2009 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) jointly delivered 4 units of the new-generation electric vehicle (EV) i-MiEV to the Principality of Monaco on November 25th.A number of related parties including His Serene Highness Prince Albert II were present at the delivery ceremony held at The Prince’s Palace.

The delivery ceremony at the Prince’s Palace

The Principality of Monaco, proactively seeking ways to combat environmental issues and to replace domestic transportation with low-CO2-emitting electric vehicles, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. *1 and MC Automobile (Europe) N.V. *2 regarding fleet testing of the EVs on March 26, 2009 in Monaco. According to the terms of the MoU, the i-MiEVs, which delivery mainly to corporate customers in Japan began in July, were delivered to the Principality of Monaco.

The i-MiEVs are being leased via MCE Bank GmbH, a subsidiary of MC. According to the terms of the MoU, the Principality of Monaco plans to promote electric vehicles through the use of the i-MiEVs at its local community service organizations, including the post office, public parking services, the Monegasque electricity company (SMEG) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Source: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail2000.html

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HIROSHIMA, Japan—The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan) with European specifications has been awarded the maximum five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme*1 (Euro NCAP) in its 2009 combined safety performance test.

From 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a new evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating that combines the scores achieved in four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist.

The Mazda3 inherits and evolves the first generation model’s combination of dynamic, sporty styling and exhilarating driving performance. With this maximum safety rating from Euro NCAP as well as its recognition as a 2009 Top Safety Pick from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)*2, Mazda3 is among the safest cars in the world.

Mazda3 is the second Mazda model to be awarded the maximum five-star rating under the new Euro NCAP evaluation system. The Mazda6 (Mazda Atenza) with European specifications received five stars in February 2009. Mazda models in Europe that received the highest possible five stars for Adult Occupant Protection under the previous Euro NCAP rating system include the Mazda5 (Mazda Premacy) in September 2005 and the Mazda2 (Mazda Demio) in December 2007.

Mazda3 (European spec)

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200911/091126a.html

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Kuala Lumpur — Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia will launch a new variant of the award-winning Triton called the Triton 2.5 Standard tomorrow. Complementing the current Triton line-up, the new Triton 2.5 Standard is expected to appeal to a wider market.

Offered at an affordable price, at RM 77,715.80 (on-the-road, without insurance), the new Triton 2.5 Standard with manual transmission maintains the same bold unique look, while still sharing the Triton’s rugged all-road capability and extended cargo bed of its recently face-lifted Triton variants.

Triton 2.5 Standard

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia expects to sell 150 units per month of the new Triton 2.5 Standard and increase its market share to 25% next year. At present, Triton is selling 400 to 450 units per month. From January to September this year, Triton has a 17% of the pick-up market share (non-national).

“Already Malaysia’s most awarded pick-up truck, this new Triton 2.5 Standard is set to widen the Triton’s appeal- it is now more affordable yet maintains the Triton appeal and does not compromise on quality, performance and durability. The Triton caters to everyone, from the style conscious to small business users,” said Mr Keizo Ono, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.

Despite its affordable price, the new Triton 2.5 Standard is equipped with RV meter display, sporty 16-inch alloy rims and bedliner. The RV meter is a unique Triton feature that displays travel data such as range, average speed, fuel consumption and also a digital compass, barometer, altimeter and outer temperature.

Source: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my/news.php?id=79

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Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) announced November 25 (local time) details of the vehicle-based remedy to address the root cause of the potential risk for floor mat entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models in the U.S.

Toyota issued a consumer safety advisory on September 29 on this issue and, as an interim measure, commenced the mailing of safety notices to owners of certain Toyota and Lexus models on October 30. The models involved are: 2007 to 2010 MY (model year) “Camry”, 2005 to 2010 MY “Avalon”, 2004 to 2009 MY “Prius”, 2005 to 2010 MY “Tacoma”, 2007 to 2010 MY “Tundra”, 2007 to 2010 MY “ES350″, 2006 to 2010 MY “IS250″, and 2006 to 2010 MY “IS 350″.

The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:

1. The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. For the ES350, Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.
2. Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will be provided with newly designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.

In addition, as a separate measure independent of the vehicle-based remedy, Toyota will install a brake override system onto the involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS350 and IS 250 models as an extra measure of confidence. This system cuts engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedals.

Toyota is in the process of completing development of these actions and for the ES350, Camry, and Avalon will start notifying owners of the involved vehicles via first-class mail by the end of this year. The remedy process regarding the other five models will occur on a rolling schedule during 2010.

Dealers will be trained and equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models starting at the beginning of 2010. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to dealers for the repair, beginning around April 2010. Customers who have had the remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire.

In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.

The brake override system will be made standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines starting with January 2010 production of ES350 and Camry and is scheduled to be incorporated into new production of most models by the end of 2010.

The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified.

Source: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/09/11/1125.html

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BRENTWOOD, Essex, 24 November, 2009 – The Ford Focus RS continues to impress the critics, with the award of another major title – the Nuts magazine Car of the Year 2009 trophy.

This latest prize joins the Scottish ’sporting’ Car of the Year 2009 award presented earlier this month, and is set to accelerate orders for Ford’s definitive hot hatch. More than 2,000 orders have been placed, from a total UK production of around 4,000 vehicles.

A fan of the Ford Focus RS, Nuts magazine Deputy Editor, Adam Ralph, said: “Our readers felt the Focus RS represented all that a young bloke looked for in a new car – it’s affordable, a real head turner and ridiculously good fun to drive.”

On hearing the news, Ford’s Team RS chief engineer, Dirk Densing said: “The Focus RS project set out to deliver optimal high-performance road car technology together with the practicality expected of a Focus. We feel we have achieved this and are delighted that Nuts readers agree.”

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-focus-rs-is-the-nuts-car-of-31476

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2009) - Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced the lease of an X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) to Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Nissan, which began development of fuel cell vehicle technology in 1996, has previously used FCVs in demonstration fleets in Japan and in California through the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), but this is Nissan’s first commercial FCV lease in North America. The Sacramento Coca-Cola lease is for one year, with an option for two additional years.

“Sacramento already has the beginning of a hydrogen infrastructure in place, and Sacramento Coca-Cola has a track record of utilizing low emissions cars, so the two companies share a green philosophy as well as a common love of things ‘zero’,” said Eric Noziere, vice president, Corporate Planning, NNA

The zero emissions X-TRAIL FCV is being used by the bottler for sales calls and public events in the Sacramento area in promotion of its Coca-Cola Zero® soft drink. “This is a big step in furthering our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Bob Brown, executive vice president of Sacramento Coca-Cola. “We are really excited about the promise of fuel cell technology.”

Nissan’s comprehensive fuel cell research and development program is part of a range of eco-friendly technologies - including FCVs, electric vehicles, hybrid and improved internal combustion engines - being pursued under the Nissan Green Program 2010, a plan focused on developing new technologies, products and services leading to real-world reductions in CO2 emissions, cleaner emissions and expanded recycling of resources.

The Nissan X-TRAIL FCV is based on the X-TRAIL SUV, which is available in Mexico, Japan and Europe. It is fitted with a Nissan-developed compact fuel cell stack, a compact Lithium-ion battery and a high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder. Performance is close to that of a similarly sized internal combustion engine-based vehicle. Versions of this generation X-TRAIL FCV are capable of speeds in excess of 95 miles per hour, with a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

Sacramento-based Nissan X-TRAIL FCVs have already logged nearly 300,000 miles in ongoing internal tests, with one vehicle very close to the 100,000-mile mark. “The future of sustainable mobility will depend on the simultaneous development of many technologies. Test programs like Sacramento Coca-Cola X-TRAIL FCV lease help us keep our momentum going in this arena, even as we’re getting ready to roll out the new Nissan LEAF electric vehicle in the next year,” said Noziere.

In addition to the current generation X-TRAIL FCV, Nissan earlier this year announced testing of a next-generation fuel cell stack that is 25 percent smaller than the current model and will be less expensive to build. Nissan North America recently opened a new Fuel Cell Laboratory at the Nissan Technical Center in Farmington Hills, Mich. The new lab will support other global Nissan research centers and will work with suppliers and universities on various related fuel cell projects.

“Any 5th grade math student can tell you that 0+0+0=0, yet in this case zero (carbs) plus zero (calories) plus zero (emissions) adds up to a great partnership and a great way to promote both the Nissan and Coca-Cola Zero®brands,” added Noziere.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to team up with Nissan to employ zero-emissions technology in a real life business setting,” said Don Quinn, Director of Operations for Sacramento Coca-Cola. “What better way to showcase zero-emissions technology than with North America’s most popular new zero-calorie soft drink?”

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/091124-01-e.html

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HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the Mazda Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3) and Mazda Biante models equipped with its unique idling stop system, i-stop, have won the prestigious 2009 Eco-Products Award from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

The Eco-Products Awards were established in 2004. The awards are intended to encourage the spread of eco-friendly products in Japan and support the organizations that supply them through public recognition of excellence and by providing information about outstanding products and services that are less harmful to the environment.

Idling stop systems reduce fuel consumption by automatically shutting down the engine when the driver stops the vehicle. Mazda’s i-stop system improves fuel economy by approximately 10 percent (under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle) and provides a natural driving feel, ensuring the driver experiences no sense of discomfort. Mazda’s system stands out thanks to its quick combustion restart method that employs direct injection and special technology to control piston positions as the engine shuts down. With the potential to be introduced on a wide range of vehicles, i-stop is an effective and low-cost green technology.

The Eco-Products Award recognizes Mazda’s development of this idling stop system, which features a smooth and quiet operation, and these two advanced vehicles that actively encourage eco-friendly driving.

Mazda Axela 20S i-stop model Mazda Biante 20S i-stop model

The award ceremony will take place during the Eco-Products 2009 Exhibition that will run from December 10 through 12 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight). It is one of the largest exhibitions of environmentally-friendly products and services in Japan and is organized by the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) and the Nikkei newspaper group. As well as i-stop, Mazda will display various green technologies which demonstrate its efforts to harmonize driving pleasure with environmental performance. The exhibits will include Mazda’s next-generation compact concept car, Mazda Kiyora; next-generation direct injection gasoline engine. SKY-G*; and next-generation clean diesel engine, SKY-D*.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2009/200911/091124a.html

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Suzuki Motor Corporation is moving forward with its plans to take part in Thailand’s eco-car project. Suzuki received Thai approval for eco-car production in December 2007. The company put its plans on hold but then got the Thai go-ahead to start building an automobile plant. It will hold a ground-breaking ceremony at the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong Province on 30 November 2009.

Suzuki plans to invest 20 billion yen in construction of an automobile plant that will have facilities for pressing, welding, painting, assembly, and engine production. It plans to start producing eco-cars at the plant in March 2012.

Suzuki is also set to reorganize its Thai automobile sales operations. It currently markets automobiles in Thailand through its local sales subsidiary, Suzuki Automobile (Thailand), but plans to gradually shift sales operations to its local production company, Suzuki Automobile Manufacturing (Thailand).

Source: http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2009/1124.html

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