Mazda Refines the Verisa for the Japanese Market

The Mazda Verisa is a subcompact car based on the previous generation Demio / Mazda2 that was launched in 2004 and is available exclusively for the Japanese market. For the 2010MY, Mazda has 'polished' the Verisa by refreshing the hatchback's interior trim with new upholstery options and upgrading the car's standard equipment while there are also three new exterior body colors including the Lilac Silver Metallic, Metroplitan Mica and Sparkling Black Mica. The 2010 Verisa goes on sale in Japan today with prices starting from 1,560,000 Yen or about $15,700.

Honda Insight Hybrid Tops the Charts in Japan in April, Fit Comes in Second

Only three months after its market debut in Japan and Honda's Insight mild-hybrid managed to become the best-selling vehicle (excluding the so-called kei cars with engines under 660cc) in the country in the month of April with sales of 10,481 units. This is the first time in Japan's history that a hybrid model has topped the tables for any monthly sales period. In the previous two months, the Insight sold 4,906 and 4,088 units in February and March respectively.

The Insight took the crown from the Fit, also known as the Jazz in Europe, which was the best selling car in Japan in the month of March, its fourth consecutive month at the top since December 2008. In April, the Fit finished second behind the Insight with sales of 9,443 units. According to the automaker, this is the first time ever that Honda has occupied the top two best-selling car positions in Japan for any monthly sales period.

Scooped: JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

If the overly secretive teaser image of the JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy that is scheduled to be officially revealed in the Land of the Rising Sun on May 20th wasn't enough for you, Japan's Car Mode magazine has a full blown photo of the Touring Wagon version in its latest issue. Stylistically, the differences between U.S market 2010 Subaru Legacy that was unveiled in New York and the JDM model are limited to minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

The Legacy Touring Wagon that is featured in these scoop photos is in effect an Outback stripped out of its 'crossoverish' doodads and plastic add-ons for a more conventional look. If you happen to prefer the simplicity of the Touring Wagon over the Outback then tough luck because while the Estate is scheduled for a European launch, Subaru has no plans of bringing it to the States.

Pics via: Car Mode

JDM Toyota Land Cruiser Receives new 318HP 4.6-liter V8 engine

Toyota has announced that its Japanese domestic market (JDM for short) Land Cruiser V8 has received a new engine and transmission transplant. Beginning from May 6, 2009, the Land Cruiser will be offered with a newly-developed 4.6-liter V8 Dual VVT-i gasoline engine that produces 318-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460Nm or 339.3-lbs/ft of maximum torque at 3,400 rpm versus the previous 4.7-liter V8's 288HP and 445Nm or 328-lb/ft respectively. The 4.6L V8 is mated to an also new 6-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous 5-speed auto.

Since Europe, Australia and several other markets around the world get the same 4.7-liter V8 engine as the Japanese-spec model, we suspect that it's only a matter of time before Toyota announces the change to the 318HP 4.6-liter V8 and the six-speed auto transmission.

New powerplant aside, the JDM Land Cruiser's range is also enhanced with the addition of a new trim level called ZX.

Subaru Impreza Comfort Selection II: Not so Special Edition JDM Models

Released for the Japanese market only, the new Subaru Impreza Comfort Selection II is a supposedly special edition model that is available in both hatchback and sedan forms with a choice of a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter boxer engines. If our googlish translation is correct, the Comfort Selection II models are distinguished by their revised interior trim and upgraded equipment which includes tinted rear windows, leather steering wheel and gearknob and other not so special features. We'd better stop here before you start the 'slow day' commentary...

Subaru STELLA Plug-in Electric Vehicle to begin test runs in Japan

Having completed the development of the Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) prototype model, Subaru has announced that it is ready to test its eco-friendly microcar in real life conditions by providing fifteen units to Japan's Ministry of Environment this summer. Based on the production STELLA, the plug-in EV is equipped with an electric motor that produces 47kW (up from 40kW on the initial prototypes).

Subaru also said that, compared with the first prototypes, it has further enhanced the EV's efficiency by lightening the body weight and fine-tuning output management as well as optimizing and downsizing the battery pack design.

New Nissan Skyline Crossover for Japan

What we have come to know on both sides of the Atlantic as the Infiniti EX will be arriving in Japan this summer as the Nissan Skyline Crossover. The Crossover will be the latest addition to the Japanese market Skyline family which also includes the Infiniti G sedan- and coupe-based models. Just like the European version of the EX, the JDM Skyline Crossover will be equipped with Nissan's 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V6 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. The all-new Skyline Crossover will be showcased at Nissan Galleries in Japan starting April 18, 2009.

Japanese-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Teased

In about a month's time, Subaru will proceed to the launch of the Japanese domestic market (JDM for short) version of the new Legacy that made its first global appearance at the New York Auto Show last week. For the time being, Subie has released a teaser shot of the JDM 2010 Legacy Touring Wagon which is essentially a USDM 2010 Outback without the raised ride height, roof rails and fancy-pansy plastic body cladding. Just for the record, the Legacy Touring Wagon will not be offered in the States.

From what we can tell by comparing the teaser photo of the JDM Legacy Touring Wagon to the US-spec Legacy, the Japanese version will also feature restyled exterior mirrors, a different headlight assembly and larger air intakes at the corners of the front bumper.

However, what we're all really interested in finding out is what will be hiding under the hood of the JDM Legacy and in particular, if Subaru will be revealing any details and photos on the STi versions of the sedan and estate variants of the model.

Nissan Launches New NV200 Vanette, Available as a People Carrier and LCV

Following its world premiere at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show in March, Nissan has announced that the market launch of its next generation global van will commence in mid-May. Japan will receive the first examples of the NV200 Vanette with other international markets following shortly after. The compact NV200 Vanette will be offered in two configurations , the Van GX light commercial van with 4.1 cubic meters of loading space and the more car-like Wagon 16S people carrier that can seat up to seven passengers.

Potential customers can choose between two engines, one petrol and one diesel. The petrol version will be powered by Nissan's 1.6-litre HR16 engine, as found in Micra, Note and Qashqai. It produces 108HP and 153Nm of torque and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The diesel unit, also found on Note and Micra, is the Renault-derived 1.5-liter dCi that develops 200 Nm of torque and an output of 86HP. Again, power is transmitted through a five-speed manual gearbox.

Japan's Vehicle Production Plunges 56.2% in February, Sales Down 24.3%

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported today that domestic vehicle production in February which includes passenger cars, trucks and buses, was recorded at 481,396 units, down a staggering 56.2 per cent compared to the same month of the previous year (1,098,245 units). Passenger car production in particular stood at 403,144 units or 57.4% down from February 2008. This is the fifth consecutive month of production decrease in Japan.

The country's exports, which account for more than half of Japanese vehicle production, summed up to 212,107 units in February '09; Compared with the 587,825 units total recorded for the same month of the previous year, this is a decrease of 375,718 units or 63.9%. North American exports were down 34.0% at 73,883 while European exports were 30.8% lower at 40,541.

Domestic sales in February 2009 stood at 380,582 vehicles, down 24.3% as compared with the same month of the previous year.

February 2009 Automobile Domestic Sales
Passenger cars	324,515 units, down 24.4%
Trucks	54,784 units, down 24.2%
Buses	1,283 units, down 3.7%

February 2009 Vehicle Production Figures by Type

1) Passenger cars: 403,144 units, down 544,016 units or 57.4%
Standard cars (over 2000 cc)	159,748 units, down 409,119 units or -71.9%
Small cars	134,008 units, down 118,242 units or -46.9%
Mini car (under 660 cc)	109,388 units, down 16,655 units or -13.2%

2) Trucks: 71,693 units, down 65,968 units or 47.9%
Standard truck vehicles	24,004 units, down 42,754 units or -64.0%
Small trucks	16,572 units, down 15,095 units or -47.7%
Mini trucks (under 660 cc)	31,117 units, down 8,119 units or -20.7 %

3) Buses: 6,559 units, down 6,865 units or 51.1%
Large buses	744 units, down 439 units or -37.1%
Small buses	5,815 units, down 6,426 units or -52.5%

Automobile Export Figures by Export Destination (February 2009)
	Units	Chg. from prev. year (%)
Asia	18,041	38.3
Middle-East	31,371	40.4
Europe	40,541	30.8
(EU)	31,982	42.1
North America	73,883	34.0
(U.S.A).	58,860	30.0
Latin America	15,720	36.5
Africa	12,960	46.6
Oceania	18,400	43.6
Others	1,191	110.2
Total	212,107	36.1

Honda Announces New Delay on Japanese Auto Plant

The global market slowdown is once again to blame for Honda's decision to further postpone the opening of its new Japanese auto plant in Yorii, Saitama. The start of operations of the new auto plant in Yorii which is currently under construction, was initially scheduled for 2010, but in December 2008, Honda announced a delay of more than a year. Now the Japanese automaker announced plans to delay the opening at least until 2012.

Mazda Begins Commercial Leasing of Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

As of today, Mazda is the world's first automaker to begin commercial leasing of a hydrogen-hybrid vehicle. The new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will be delivered to local government authorities and energy-related companies in Japan during 2009. Based on the Japanese market Premacy, the vehicle is equipped with a series-type hybrid drivetrain that combines Mazda's hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor.

As with the Chevy Volt, the rotary-engine output is converted to electricity, which then powers the electric motor that drives the wheels. This hybrid system boosts the hydrogen fuel range of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to 200km (124 miles) which is twice the range of the firm's first commercial hydrogen rotary engine model, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. Furthermore, the hybrid powertrain helps increases the maximum output by approximately 40 percent, to 110 kilowatts (147hp).

Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid Specifications

Base model:	Mazda Premacy
Overall length:	4,565mm
Overall width:	1,745mm
Overall height:	1,620 mm
Engine:	Mazda's hydrogen rotary engine (with dual-fuel system)
Motor:	Alternating current synchronous motor
Maximum output:	110 kW
Generator:	Alternating current synchronous generator
Battery:	Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Seating capacity:	Five
Fuel:	Hydrogen and gasoline
Hydrogen tank:	35 MPa high-pressure tank

Mazda Launches facelifted AZ-Wagon i for People with Special Needs

Following the introduction of the facelifted AZ-Wagon in Japan last September, Mazda today announced the launch of the 'i' version, a special needs vehicle equipped with a sloping access ramp for wheelchairs. Based on the fully redesigned AZ-Wagon, the new 'i' has a wider opening at the rear while other enhancements designed for wheelchair users include a new three-point seatbelt and a handrail on both sides of the rear cabin, as standard equipment.

Furthermore, the Japanese carmaker claims that user-friendliness is also improved for caregivers by a sloping entry/exit ramp that is gentler than the previous AZ-Wagon 'i'.

New Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line with Auto Box

An STI with an automatic transmission - what's the point in that? Well, while we may disagree with the option, Subaru apparently believes that there's a crowd out there that prefers the ease of automatic shifting. Badged the Impreza WRX STI A-Line, the latest addition to the current WRX STI model combines the 300-horsepower 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine with a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts. The model goes on sale nationwide through Subaru dealerships today in Japan

In addition to the new tranny option, the WRX STI A-Line has received some refinements to enhance comfort as it is equipped with standard 8 way power adjustable front seats and a new body color while Subaru also presented a new "Satin White Pearl"

Specifications:

-Engine type: Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine

-Displacement: 2457 cc

-Maximum output: 221kW (300 PS)/6200 rpm

-Maximum torque: 350 Nm (35.7 kgf·m)/2800～6000 rpm

-Turbo type: Single Scroll turbocharger