Nissan - Mitsubishi alliance tightens

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced that the two companies agreed to expand their current scope of cooperation (earlier post) towards new projects that will further strengthen mutual competitiveness, especially in the Japanese mini car and global commercial vehicle businesses.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors currently have several OEM agreements for vehicles in the Japanese market, including for mini cars and commercial vehicles. In addition to expanding the scope of the current OEM partnership, the two companies agreed to study new opportunities which would generate additional synergies. The cooperation agreement between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will be complementary to any agreements the two parties have already established with other partners.

Honda CR-Z becomes KR-Z!!!

Honda CR-Z may get a proper petrol engine in the future (earlier post), but until then, it seems that someone decided to fit a K20A engine from an Integra Type R! So, now this KR-Z... eeer, I mean CR-Z, not only has the looks, but also the engine it deserves!!!

[Source: CarKingdom.jp]

Delivery of the world's first Nissan Leaf

Five Axis Lexus IS-F on track

Honda to display Civic concept at Detroit

Honda has released this sketch claiming that the concept, which will be revealed in a few weeks time at the Detroit, will preview the actual next-gen Civic. The new USDM Civic will be available in spring.

Although the sketch looks really cool, I am not so optimistic having seen the upcoming JDM model (earlier post).

Hino about to start testing of new hybrid system for pickups

Hino Motors has already introduced hybrid systems for trucks and buses and it is even testing a fuel cell hybrid system. Today, Hino announced that it has also developed a new hybrid system suitable for pichups and it will conduct field tests. Hino aims to put the system in production in 2011.

The new hybrid system has a clutch between the engine and the motor and it can drive a truck with the use of only one motor. Due to the fact that it doesn't run the engine, more regenerative electric power can be collected when a truck is slowing down.

In addition, Hino has improved the control system and the efficiency of the inverter. In a test conducted by the company, the hybrid system enhanced the fuel efficiency of a diesel truck by about 50%.

New Toyota Vitz's CM!!!

Toyota Celica XX MA63 2000 G-turbo scale model ordered!

Yet another order for a Toyota Celica XX MA63 2000 G-turbo scale model by Dism (ディズム). The model should arrive hopefully this month, along with the other models ordered (earlier post + the additional order for the Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathurst X (FD3S) model).