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Sep 12, 2017

LNG: MORE EFFICIENT FUEL * Japan

* Tokyo - Truck makers steering away from diesel

--- The shift from diesel as an automotive fuel is gaining traction in not only passenger vehicles, but also commercial trucks... While a majority of such trucks are now diesels, a number of countries are moving to wean themselves off the fuel. Natural gas, a cleaner and more economical alternative that can offer an equivalent driving range, may become a mainstay in the sector... Large trucks that run on liquefied natural gas in Japan range of around 1,500km on a full tank will equal that of a diesel. The price will be about 19 million yen ($176,000)... Natural-gas technologies are mature and can support the type of long-haul transport that electric vehicles could be hard-pressed to handle... Isuzu Motors is working to double the driving range of natural-gas trucks. An Isuzu truck that uses compressed natural gas as fuel has a range of around 500km, falling far short of diesels... Globally, natural-gas vehicles number around 24 million. China, the world's largest auto market, accounts for the most at 5 million units. Electric vehicles, by comparison, come to only around 2 million... Natural-gas vehicles are similar in design to gasoline vehicles and offer cleaner emissions, emitting 15% less carbon dioxide than diesels. Fuel costs could also be about 40% cheaper for LNG than for diesel... 
(Photo: Italian company Iveco sells natural-gas trucks and buses mainly in Europe)  --  Tokyo, Japan - Asia Nikkei - September 9, 2017

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Jun 26, 2017

TAKATA´s BANKRUPCTCY * Japan - $10 billions in liabilities by recalled air bags

* Tokyo - Troubled air-bag maker Takata files for bankruptcy in Japan and the U.S.

--- Takata Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in the biggest postwar Japanese corporate failure in the manufacturing industry, as the 84-year-old company buckled under liabilities from millions of recalled air bags that have been linked to more than a dozen deaths... The Tokyo-based company and its units filed for creditor protection in the U.S. and Japan. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware listed more than $10 billion in liabilities, including claims from automakers including Honda Motor Co. -- the biggest user of the air bags -- and Toyota Motor Corp. as well as individuals who have brought class-action lawsuits... The filing is the culmination of a saga that began with a recall more than eight years ago but has spiraled as the company’s malfunctioning airbag inflators -- which sent shards of metal at drivers and passengers -- have been blamed for at least 17 deaths worldwide. It also removes the final hurdle for the supplier to be acquired by Key Safety Systems Inc., a unit of China’s Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp., for 175 billion yen ($1.6 billion)... 
 (Photo Recall monitor air bag)   --  Tokyo, Japan - Bloomberg, by Jie Ma/Emi Nobuhiro/Dawn McCarty and Tiffany Kary - 26 June 2017

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May 2, 2017

BOLSTERING TRUCK SALES * Japan: Truck makers offer swag in Southeast Asia

* Tokyo - Mitsubishi Fuso eyes 24-hour repair shops; Hino giving free driving lessons

--- Two leading Japanese truck makers are bolstering their after-sales services to further cement their solid positions in Southeast Asia... Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus will start building a chain of 24-hour repair shops in Indonesia, while Hino Motors has built a free safe-driving school in Malaysia. The moves are meant to boost brand image and customer loyalty -- and eventually to capture demand for replacement parts and vehicles in the large and growing region... The strategy marks an evolution from just selling trucks to building a loyal customer base in Southeast Asia, where about 2 million trucks were sold in 2016. That is about 10 times the figure in Japan, according to U.S. research company Frost & Sullivan... 
Tokyo, Japan - Nikkei Asian Review - May 2, 2017

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Apr 10, 2017

TRUCKMAKERS' NEW FEATURES * Japan - Truck makers delivering relief to weary drivers

* Tokyo - Trucks with features to ease labor shortage are coming

--- Japanese truck companies are busy rolling out new models they say will help resolve the labor crunch currently afflicting the industry... Hino Motors unveiled its first fully redesigned Ranger midsize truck in 16 years on Wednesday at an event in Saitama. The heavy-duty Profia received its first full makeover in 14 years and will be available for purchase later this year... Hino sought to answer that demand by focusing on improving the operating performances of trucks. The new models come equipped with a communication system allowing remote monitoring of vehicle conditions in real time. Sensors inside the trucks relay data to truck dealers, who then give a heads up on when it's time for maintenance... Rival Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus has teamed up with UD Trucks to develop driver-friendly rigs. Their trucks featuring automatic transmissions are expected to help female and older drivers not used to driving stick, as well as boost fuel economy... Resolving the shortage of truck drivers hinges on attracting females and seniors. "Ease of driving will become an important trend," predicts Hino's Ichihashi... Unit sales of trucks capable of carrying at least four tons rose 11.2% in fiscal 2016 to 98,106, the seventh straight year of expansion... 
(Photo: Hino Motors unveiled fully redesigned midsize and heavy-duty trucks)  --  Saitama, Japan - Nikkei, by YUKI HANAI - April 6, 2017

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Sep 17, 2016

THE LARGEST HAUL TRUCK * Japan - From Komatsu

* Tokyo - Komatsu's largest haul truck ever - the 980E-4 - is introduced to North America

--- The 980E-4 offers electric truck pedigree, one of the largest payloads available, and an answer to market demand for 400-ton trucks... Komatsu America Corp., a leading global heavy equipment manufacturer, announces the North American commercial release of the 980E-4 haul truck, for service in mine sites requiring 400-ton payload capacity... With a 400-ton capacity and 3,500 HP engine, the 980E-4 builds on a long history of success with electric drive trucks, and reinforces Komatsu's position as a global leader in the ultra-class mining truck market... 
(Photo: The 980E-4 provides an optimal match in large-scale mining applications with big bucket)  --   Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan - Construction Equipment Guide - SEPT 15, 2016

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Jul 18, 2016

UD Trucks * Japan: New Quester range for Middle East

* Japan - UD Trucks launches GCC-specific Quester range

--- UD Trucks (owned by Volvo), has conducted the Middle East launch of Quester, a range designed specifically for the Middle East operating environment... The models have been designed specifically for the region, according to the Japanese automaker... The UD Quester range was unveiled at launch events in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. The heavy-duty models can be used for a variety of applications, including on- and off-highway use, construction, distribution, and long-haul transportation... Three UD Quester units were tested by six Saudi Arabian customers for a period of six months. The units – a water tanker, a tipper, and a garbage compactor – were operated in real working conditions, and the manufacturer received positive customer feedback...
Tokyo, Japan - Construction Week On Line, by James Morgan- Jul 14, 2016

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Jul 12, 2016

PICKUP TRUCKMAKERS * India / Japan: Mazda and Isuzu

* India - Mazda and Isuzu join hands to develop pick up trucks

--- Two of the Japan’s major vehicle manufacturers, Mazda and Isuzu have now come together to develop next generation pickup trucks and provide required support to each other’s market foothold. Although both the companies are working together since the last ten years, they have joined hands for the first time in the commercial vehicle segment... As of now, Isuzu manufactures trucks for Mazda which are being sold in the Japanese market. The purpose of this collaboration would be to enhance Mazda’s product line-up and help Isuzu maintain the share. These next generation pickup trucks would be developed on Isuzu’s current pickup truck model. One of the latest pickup platform from Isuzu could be witnessed in D-Max V-Cross which was recently showcased at Auto Expo 2016, New Delhi. Also, these new models will be sold across the globe except North America... 
(Photo: Isuzu D-Max V Cross Pick Up 4X4) - New Delhi, India - The Statesman - 11 July 2016

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Jun 24, 2016

TOYOTA * India: Open engine plant

* Bengaluru - Toyota Industries Engine opens engine plant in

--- Toyota Industries Engine India (TIEI) has inaugurated a new engine production plant at Jigani Industrial Area, Bengaluru, on Thursday. TIEI is a joint venture between Kirloskar Systems (KSL) and Toyota Industries Corporation - Japan (TICO)... Spread across 22 acres with an investment of Rs 1,100 crore, the engine manufacturing plant operates with a production capacity of 108,000 units/year and manufactures 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre & 2GD-FTV - 2.4 litre engines in compliance with BS 4 / Euro 4 emission standards with an additional provision to upgrade to BS 5 and 6 / Euro 5 and 6 with minimum investment and lead time in the future... This facility is the first Global Diesel Engine Plant of Toyota in India and third globally, after Japan and Thailand... 
Jigani, Bengaluru, India - ETAuto - 23 June 2016

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May 28, 2016

AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS in * Japan: By Hino & Isuzu

* Tokyo - Isuzu, Hino joining forces on autonomous truck driving

- Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors will team up to develop a system that supports convoys of self-driving trucks, an innovation that is expected to address Japan's chronic shortage of commercial drivers... The so-called intelligent transport system will incorporate data-sharing communication among all trucks in the caravan. Information from the lead vehicle's accelerator and brakes is among the data that will guide the rear vehicles. The lead truck will be controlled by a human driver and the other rigs will maintain a constant distance between each other. The technology aims for completely driverless trailing vehicles down the road... The Japanese government will begin a pilot program running truck convoys on the nation's highways as soon as fiscal 2018. Practical application is expected to start from fiscal 2021, with three or more commercial vehicles traveling long distances on highways at night. The practice is seen easing traffic congestion and lifting logistics efficiency... Isuzu and Hino are apparently developing the technology with those targets in mind. The pair will separately develop trucks that can operate in the system... 
(Image)  --  Tokyo, Japan - Nikkei - May 27, 2016

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May 19, 2016

SUZUKI & MITSUBISHI MOTORS' SCANDAL * Japan: Cause, EMISSIONS METHODS MEASURES

* Tokyo - Suzuki admits irregularities after the scandal Mitsubishi

-- The Japanese automaker Suzuki confessed Wednesday that measured emissions of their cars with non-approved methods, but denied having falsified results, unlike Mitusbishi Motors, mired in a scandal that prompted the resignation of its president... The company insists that the values ​​obtained by this method are not false, as explained by the location of the evidence "on a hill near the sea, weather conditions, especially wind, affecting measurements" ... Misleading data back to 2010, affecting 2.1 million vehicles of the 16 models sold in Japan, said the group's president Toshihiro Suzuki, at a press conference at the Ministry of Transport...  The group specializes in mini vehicles, with a strong presence in India, sells about three million cars a year... Suzuki confessions occur shortly after Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) admitted data manipulation and forgery in performance testing of their engines... The scandal caused a sharp drop in sales of cars group, Wednesday announced the resignation of its president, Tetsuro Aikawa, and its vice president... Mitsubishi initially said the fraud took place only four types of mini vehicles, but now admits that there are other concerned models including its flagship hybrid Outlander PHEV 4X4... Last week, another Japanese group, Nissan, unexpectedly came to the rescue of Mitsubishi, with the announcement of the purchase of a third of its capital... 
(Photo: A Suzuki mini-truck)  --  Tokyo, Japan - Yahoo News, by Anne BEADE - May 18, 2016

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Mar 30, 2016

ISIS-Toyota relation * UK

* Dubai - Toyota: “We do not know how ISIS obtained Toyota trucks"

-- A major issue, which has been subjected into inquiries by a number of countries in the late 2015, regarding ISIS possessing Japanese Toyota vehicles raised questions on means of acquiring this great number of new cars by the terrorist organization... The US Treasury opened an investigation about ISIS’s use of large numbers of brand-new Toyota trucks... US counter-terror officials have asked Toyota, to help them determine how ISIS has managed to acquire the large number of Toyota pick-up trucks and SUVs seen prominently in the terror group’s propaganda videos in Iraq, Syria and Libya... Toyota said it does not know how ISIS obtained the vehicles and is “supporting” the inquiry led by the Terror Financing unit of the Treasury Department... Toyota has a “strict policy to not sell vehicles to potential purchasers who may use or modify them for paramilitary or terrorist activities,” Chief Representative of Toyota’s Middle East & North Africa Regional Office (MENARO), Takayuki Yoshitsugu told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview... He said it is impossible for the company to track vehicles that have been stolen, or have been bought and re-sold by middlemen... Stories regarding Toyota-ISIS relation were numerous as some official US sources indicated that an Iraqi merchant is responsible for importing these trucks in the framework of exchanging them with large quantities of smuggled oil...
London, EN, UK - Asharq Al-Awsat, by Adel Mourad - 29 Mar, 2016

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Feb 17, 2016

UD TRUCKS * Japan: Cease production midsize trucks

* Japan's UD to end domestic production of midsize trucks

-- UD Trucks will stop manufacturing midsize models in Japan, procuring such vehicles from Isuzu Motors as the company channels those resources into development and production of larger trucks... UD looks to sell rebadged Isuzu trucks beginning next year under an original equipment manufacturing agreement, the Volvo group commercial vehicle maker said Tuesday. Those vehicles, which will be based on the Forward brand midsize truck, will be supplied from Isuzu's Fujisawa plant in Kanagawa Prefecture... UD's Ageo plant in Saitama Prefecture will cease production of midsize trucks for Japan in 2017. The Japanese company aims later to stop making midsize trucks for overseas markets as well. The plant will continue manufacturing large trucks... 
(Photo: UD Trucks will end production of midsize models in Japan, focusing on its more successful larger trucks) -- Tokyo, Japan - Nikkei/Asia - February 17, 2016

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Sep 27, 2014

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS WORLDWIDE * Japan / USA: Isuzu & GM

* GM and Isuzu to jointly develop mid-size pick-up truck 

Tokyo,Japan/Detroit,MICH,USA -Reuters, by Maki Shiraki and Chris Gallagher in Tokyo and Ben Klayman in Detroit and Yoko Kubota/Mark Potter -Sep 26, 2014: -- General Motors and Japanese truck maker Isuzu Motors have agreed to jointly develop a mid-size pick-up truck for sale in major markets around the world excluding North America, the two companies said on Friday... The companies, which have worked on trucks together in the past, are aiming to cut costs in their next generation mid-size pick-up by using more shared parts and jointly purchasing them, they said... The two companies will each manufacture their own trucks. They have not decided on when the vehicles will go on sale, they said... Automakers, facing high costs of developing new technologies, are keen to share the burden with other companies or in some cases re-badge vehicles made by others...

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Jul 29, 2014

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * Japan: Toyota's

* Japan - How do you sell pickup trucks in Asia? Toyota says 'Insane Dance Video'

 ("Jungle Wakudoki" -Video from YouTube, by Toyota Asia Pacific)
Tokyo,Japan -Jalopnik (USA), by Andrew P Collins -28 July 2014: -- Toyota's just commissioned their own Gangnam Style-style dance number to sell their Hilux pickup and it is batshit insane... Ad agency Dentsu Aegis cooked up this "dance-ver-tisement" (like that? AdWeek went with adver-dance-ment) with the simple tagline: "Strange things happen when nature calls in the jungle" ... Basically a pack of business men are tooling around the woods in office attire doing the Night At The Roxbury head-dance, collectively decide to urinate, and when they apparently cross the streams on a delightfully cheesy fake gorilla's head, group-dance ensues... It's actually pretty funny, and if you've been dying for a replacement to What Does The Fox Say since that burned a hole in your headphones you just might dance into Toyota's marketing trap and find yourself "doing the Wakudoki" ...

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