LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

Cars that run on hydrogen and exhaust only water vapor are emerging to challenge electric vehicles as the world's transportation of the future.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday, Honda and Hyundai automakers unveiled hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be delivered to the general public as early as next spring.

Toyota promised a mass-produced fuel cell car by 2015 at the Tokyo car show earlier.

Hyundai Motor Co. will be the first to the mass market in the U.S. It unveiled a hydrogen-powered Tucson small SUV that will be leased to consumers for $499 per month for three years with $3,000 down.

Hydrogen cars are appealing because unlike electric vehicles, they have the range of a typical gasoline car and can be refueled quickly. Experts say the industry also has overcome safety and reliability concerns that have hindered distribution in the past.

But hydrogen cars still have a glaring downside � refueling stations are scarce, and costly to build.

Consumers can expect costs in line with some luxury models.

Hyundai is offering to pay the hydrogen and maintenance costs. The company will start leasing in the Los Angeles area, where most of the state's nine fueling stations are located. California lawmakers have allocated $100 million to build 100 more. Honda wouldn't reveal any pricing details.

Hydrogen cars, experts say, have an advantage over battery-powered electric cars because drivers don't have to worry about running out of electricity and having to wait hours for recharging.

Hydrogen fuel cells use a complex chemical process to separate electrons and protons in hydrogen gas molecules. The electrons power a car's electric motor, which turns the wheels.

Since the hydrogen isn't burned, there's no pollution. Instead, oxygen also is pumped into the system, and when it meets the hydrogen ions and electrons, that creates water and heat. The only byproduct is water.

A fuel cell produces only about one volt of electricity, so many are stacked to generate enough juice.

Toyota said its new fuel cell vehicle will go on sale in Japan in 2015 and within a year later in Europe and U.S.

Toyota's fuel cell car is a "concept" model called FCV that looks like a sleeker Prius gas-electric hybrid.

Honda, which has leased about two-dozen fuel cell cars since 2005, took the wraps off a futuristic-looking FCEV concept vehicle in Los Angeles.

Honda executives predict that it will take five years for the hydrogen refueling stations to reach significant numbers outside California, and up to 25 years to go nationwide.

But skeptics say hydrogen fueling stations are more expensive than electric car charging stations, partly because electricity is almost everywhere and new and safe ways for producing, storing and transferring

hydrogen will be needed.

AP TELEVISION

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Los Angeles, California

1. Wide, convention floor at Los Angeles Auto Show

2. Wide, pan across cars covered with fabric waiting to be revealed

3. Wide, Chevrolet logo advertising new "Colorado" mid-size pickup truck

4. Medium, smoke and colored lights around new Subaru WRX, silky fabric slides off to unveil new car model in cherry red

5. Medium low, man peers in driver's side door of Subaru WRX

6. Wide, Honda stage with water and lights and concept car under wraps

7. Medium, screen above stage reads reads "Honda FCEV Concept"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co.

"Today we want to focus on what we believe has the potential to become the ultimate solution to realizing ultra-low carbon mobility. And that is the fuel cell electric vehicle."

9. Wide, Iwamura speaks on stage in front of veiled concept car

10. Tight, rear bumper of concept car as Iwarmura walks in front

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co."The Honda FCEV concept!" (wide, fabric is whisked off car and music swells)

12. Wide, Honda sign on convention floor

13. Medium, woman tries to open door on concept car

14. Medium, man takes photo of car with cell phone

15. Tight, rear license plate pan up to Honda logo on rear bumper

16. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "Hydrogen fuel cells basically mix hydrogen and oxygen together, separate out the electrons and produce the electricity on board. In actuality, a hydrogen fuel cell car is an electric vehicle."

17. Tight, front of Honda concept car, zoom out to entire car

18. Tight, Honda insignia on front of car

19. Medium, photographer takes photo of car 20. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "The way Hyundai for instance tests its fuel cell tank? They light the car on fire. They've burnt up entire fuel cell vehicles to see what happens.

The pressure vent on the tank releases, the hydrogen goes up in a fan shape, it burns like a butane lighter, straight up in the air. And it dissipates in a couple of minutes."

21. Tight, curves on concept car, zoom out to entire car

22. Tight, Iwamura speaks to Japanese reporters

23. Medium pan, concept car

24. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "It's a more compact package and it's lighter than a big battery pack that you need for a plug-in electric vehicle."

25. Wide, audience waiting for Hyundai press conference

26. Medium, people at Hyundai presser

27. Wide, Hyundai Tucson ix35 hydrogen fuel cell compact SUV spinning slowly

28. Tight, Hyundai fuel cell vehicle spinning 29. Wide, Hyundai stage

30. SOUNDBITE (English) John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America "You've got driving range of up to 300 miles. You can refuel them in just a few minutes. And there's endless choice in size and configuration.

That's because it's more space- and weight-efficient to multiply the number of fuel cells than it is to multiply the number of batteries."

31. Wide, Krafcik on stage

32. Medium, Hyundai Tucson compact SUV

33. Wide, Toyota display at convention

34. Tight, Toyota sign

35. Tight zoom out to medium, worker polishing Dodge Challenger anniversary edition

36. Medium, model in white dress and boots with Dodge Challenger

LEAD IN:

Eco-friendly rides and self-driving vehicles are stealing all the headlines at the annual Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Japanese auto makers Toyota, Honda and Lexus are all debuting new concept vehicles which embrace lower carbon technologies in comparison to traditional petrol engines.

STORY-LINE:

Automobiles are coming in all shapes and sizes at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, on Toyota's stand they're even glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.

On home soil, Toyota President Akio Toyoda introduced a collection of concept cars accompanied by popular Japanese Major League baseball player, Ichiro Suzuki.

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive," says the baseball player.

"Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow' Toyota will show us."

The Toyota president took the opportunity to declare the company's intention to play a leading role in the auto industry, wowing drivers in the process.

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment," says Toyoda.

"'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

The key concept car Toyota is unveiling this year is this new generation fuel cell vehicle called the 'Toyota FCV Plus'.

The vehicle has the capability to generate electricity by using hydrogen stored outside the vehicle.

That way, the car can function not only as a vehicle but also be used as a sort of portable power plant.

The automaker also unveiled this lightweight sports car concept called the 'Toyota S-FR'. Weighing only 980kg, it's designed for nimble driving.

Hans Greimel, an auto journalist who specialises in Asia's auto industry, says this year's motor show features a range of eco-themed cars.

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here," he says.

"The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

Volkswagen representatives used their presentation at the motor show to again apologise for the company's recent emissions scandal.

Despite none of the affected vehicles being sold in Japan, the company acknowledged the problems have "damaged Japanese trust" in the brand.

They also used the event to present the company's new Tiguan GTE concept car to Asian audiences.

Previously unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept is an SUV which boasts hybrid drive technology.

Volkswagen's CEO of Passenger Cars, Herbert Diess, says the car starts in full electric mode which has a range of 50 kilometres that will cover most daily drives.

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year," he says.

Honda claims their new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle is the first production model to consolidate the fuel-cell power train under the vehicle's hood.

That means it allows spacious areas in the rest of the vehicle, something some previous fuel cell vehicles didn't deliver.

The Japanese automaker also showed the latest version of its NSX.

Originally introduced in 1990, the new version is a hybrid sports car which uses both petrol and electric power.

The NSX has been a popular sports car for the brand, many see this as a reflection of Honda's F1 race technology.

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car," says Takahiro Hachigo, the president and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

"This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

Nissan is showing off this 'Teatro for Dayz' concept car which boasts seats and surfaces that can be used to display videos and images. Passengers can enjoy playing games that surround them in the car.

The automaker's president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, says the EV minicar resembles a digital gadget just as much a car.

Nissan also unveiled its other major concept called the 'IDS Concept', sharing its vision for future autonomous driving technology in the process.

This concept vehicle is loaded with laser scanners, a 360-degree camera setup, radar and computer technology that makes autonomous navigation possible.

Nissan plan to offer some autonomous driving features in its vehicles by the end of next year in Japan.

By 2018, the company says vehicles with the technology will be able to conduct lane changes on highways.

By 2020, such vehicles will be able to make their way through intersections on regular urban roads.

The IDS vehicle is also electric and can travel long distances on a single charge, also recharging quickly.

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering!" says Ghosn.

"When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off."

"If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great."

"That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

Lexus, Toyota's luxury car brand, is unveiling this stylish hybrid coupe concept called 'LF-FC'.

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy," says Lexus International President, Tokuo Fukuichi.

The original version was unveiled in 2012, but it's yet to go to market.

There was no confirmation given at this year's motor show whether the car will eventually be available commercially.

More than 70 different concept cars are being presented at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The event runs until 8 November.

LEAD IN:

Eco-friendly rides and self-driving vehicles are stealing all the headlines at the annual Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Japanese auto makers Toyota, Honda and Lexus are all debuting new concept vehicles which embrace lower carbon technologies in comparison to traditional petrol engines.

STORY-LINE:

Automobiles are coming in all shapes and sizes at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, on Toyota's stand they're even glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.

On home soil, Toyota President Akio Toyoda introduced a collection of concept cars accompanied by popular Japanese Major League baseball player, Ichiro Suzuki.

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive," says the baseball player.

"Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow' Toyota will show us."

The Toyota president took the opportunity to declare the company's intention to play a leading role in the auto industry, wowing drivers in the process.

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment," says Toyoda.

"'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

The key concept car Toyota is unveiling this year is this new generation fuel cell vehicle called the 'Toyota FCV Plus'.

The vehicle has the capability to generate electricity by using hydrogen stored outside the vehicle.

That way, the car can function not only as a vehicle but also be used as a sort of portable power plant.

The automaker also unveiled this lightweight sports car concept called the 'Toyota S-FR'. Weighing only 980kg, it's designed for nimble driving.

Hans Greimel, an auto journalist who specialises in Asia's auto industry, says this year's motor show features a range of eco-themed cars.

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here," he says.

"The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

Volkswagen representatives used their presentation at the motor show to again apologise for the company's recent emissions scandal.

Despite none of the affected vehicles being sold in Japan, the company acknowledged the problems have "damaged Japanese trust" in the brand.

They also used the event to present the company's new Tiguan GTE concept car to Asian audiences.

Previously unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept is an SUV which boasts hybrid drive technology.

Volkswagen's CEO of Passenger Cars, Herbert Diess, says the car starts in full electric mode which has a range of 50 kilometres that will cover most daily drives.

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year," he says.

Honda claims their new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle is the first production model to consolidate the fuel-cell power train under the vehicle's hood.

That means it allows spacious areas in the rest of the vehicle, something some previous fuel cell vehicles didn't deliver.

The Japanese automaker also showed the latest version of its NSX.

Originally introduced in 1990, the new version is a hybrid sports car which uses both petrol and electric power.

The NSX has been a popular sports car for the brand, many see this as a reflection of Honda's F1 race technology.

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car," says Takahiro Hachigo, the president and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

"This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

Nissan is showing off this 'Teatro for Dayz' concept car which boasts seats and surfaces that can be used to display videos and images. Passengers can enjoy playing games that surround them in the car.

The automaker's president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, says the EV minicar resembles a digital gadget just as much a car.

Nissan also unveiled its other major concept called the 'IDS Concept', sharing its vision for future autonomous driving technology in the process.

This concept vehicle is loaded with laser scanners, a 360-degree camera setup, radar and computer technology that makes autonomous navigation possible.

Nissan plan to offer some autonomous driving features in its vehicles by the end of next year in Japan.

By 2018, the company says vehicles with the technology will be able to conduct lane changes on highways.

By 2020, such vehicles will be able to make their way through intersections on regular urban roads.

The IDS vehicle is also electric and can travel long distances on a single charge, also recharging quickly.

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering!" says Ghosn.

"When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off."

"If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great."

"That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

Lexus, Toyota's luxury car brand, is unveiling this stylish hybrid coupe concept called 'LF-FC'.

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy," says Lexus International President, Tokuo Fukuichi.

The original version was unveiled in 2012, but it's yet to go to market.

There was no confirmation given at this year's motor show whether the car will eventually be available commercially.

More than 70 different concept cars are being presented at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The event runs until 8 November.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 28 October 2015

1. Close of wheel of Toyota Motor Corp.'s concept car "FCV plus" on show at Tokyo Motor Show

2. Wide of FCV plus

3. Close of glowing ring on FCV plus

4. Wide of Toyota's world and Japan premiere vehicles on display

5. Close of Toyota's world and Japan premiere vehicle "SFR"

6. Wide of Ichiro Suzuki, American Major League Baseball Player, and Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Co., shaking hands onstage

7. Close of Suzuki and Toyoda onstage

8. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Ichiro Suzuki, American Major League Baseball Player:

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive. Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow" Toyota will show us."

9. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese/English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Co.:

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment. 'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

10. Various of Hans Greimel, Automotive News, Asia Editor, looking at car at Tokyo Motor Show

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hans Greimel, Automotive News, Asia Editor:

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here. The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

12. Wide of Sven Stein, Representative Director, Volkswagen Group Japan (left) and Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's CEO Passenger Cars brand (right) unveiling Tiguan GTE concept car with solar roof

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's CEO Passenger Cars brand:

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module that can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year."

14. Wide of Diess standing in front of concept car while detailing safety features

UPSOUND: (English) "And it is precisely this type of progress that makes the Tiguan a Volkswagen."

15. Various of Stein and Diess posing for photographs next to Tiguan GTE concept car

16. Various of Honda's concept car "Clarity"

17. Wide of Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., walking onstage

18. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co.:

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car. This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

19. Various of Honda's NSX

20. Close of Nissan's concept car "Teatro for Dayz"

21. Wide of Nissan Teatro

22. Close of car dashboard

23. Close of dashboard graphics

24. Wide of Nissan Teatro interior with doors wide open showing LED panels changing designs of interior

25. Wide of Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., speaking onstage at presentation

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.:

"Above all, they want a car to be a versatile tool for self-expression and connecting with friends just like a smart phone."

27. Wide of Nissan's "IDS" autonomous car

28. Pull out of Nissan's "IDS"

29. SOUNDBITE: (English) Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.:

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering! When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off. If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great. That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

30. Wide of Lexus's world premiere vehicle LF-FC driving onstage

31. Pan left from photographer to car

32. Pull focus of Lexus logo

33. Wide of Lexus's world premiere vehicle LF-FC

34. Close of LF-FC rear

35. Close of markings, reading (English): 'Fuel Cell' on LF-FC

36. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Tokuo Fukuichi, Lexus International President:

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy."

37. Tilt down to Tokyo Motor Show floor

38. Wide of motor show floor

39. Long shot of visitors walking through motor show

LEAD IN:

Eco-friendly rides and self-driving vehicles are stealing all the headlines at the annual Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Japanese auto makers Toyota, Honda and Lexus are all debuting new concept vehicles which embrace lower carbon technologies in comparison to traditional petrol engines.

STORY-LINE:

Automobiles are coming in all shapes and sizes at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, on Toyota's stand they're even glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.

On home soil, Toyota President Akio Toyoda introduced a collection of concept cars accompanied by popular Japanese Major League baseball player, Ichiro Suzuki.

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive," says the baseball player.

"Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow' Toyota will show us."

The Toyota president took the opportunity to declare the company's intention to play a leading role in the auto industry, wowing drivers in the process.

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment," says Toyoda.

"'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

The key concept car Toyota is unveiling this year is this new generation fuel cell vehicle called the 'Toyota FCV Plus'.

The vehicle has the capability to generate electricity by using hydrogen stored outside the vehicle.

That way, the car can function not only as a vehicle but also be used as a sort of portable power plant.

The automaker also unveiled this lightweight sports car concept called the 'Toyota S-FR'. Weighing only 980kg, it's designed for nimble driving.

Hans Greimel, an auto journalist who specialises in Asia's auto industry, says this year's motor show features a range of eco-themed cars.

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here," he says.

"The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

Volkswagen representatives used their presentation at the motor show to again apologise for the company's recent emissions scandal.

Despite none of the affected vehicles being sold in Japan, the company acknowledged the problems have "damaged Japanese trust" in the brand.

They also used the event to present the company's new Tiguan GTE concept car to Asian audiences.

Previously unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept is an SUV which boasts hybrid drive technology.

Volkswagen's CEO of Passenger Cars, Herbert Diess, says the car starts in full electric mode which has a range of 50 kilometres that will cover most daily drives.

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year," he says.

Honda claims their new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle is the first production model to consolidate the fuel-cell power train under the vehicle's hood.

That means it allows spacious areas in the rest of the vehicle, something some previous fuel cell vehicles didn't deliver.

The Japanese automaker also showed the latest version of its NSX.

Originally introduced in 1990, the new version is a hybrid sports car which uses both petrol and electric power.

The NSX has been a popular sports car for the brand, many see this as a reflection of Honda's F1 race technology.

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car," says Takahiro Hachigo, the president and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

"This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

Nissan is showing off this 'Teatro for Dayz' concept car which boasts seats and surfaces that can be used to display videos and images. Passengers can enjoy playing games that surround them in the car.

The automaker's president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, says the EV minicar resembles a digital gadget just as much a car.

Nissan also unveiled its other major concept called the 'IDS Concept', sharing its vision for future autonomous driving technology in the process.

This concept vehicle is loaded with laser scanners, a 360-degree camera setup, radar and computer technology that makes autonomous navigation possible.

Nissan plan to offer some autonomous driving features in its vehicles by the end of next year in Japan.

By 2018, the company says vehicles with the technology will be able to conduct lane changes on highways.

By 2020, such vehicles will be able to make their way through intersections on regular urban roads.

The IDS vehicle is also electric and can travel long distances on a single charge, also recharging quickly.

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering!" says Ghosn.

"When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off."

"If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great."

"That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

Lexus, Toyota's luxury car brand, is unveiling this stylish hybrid coupe concept called 'LF-FC'.

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy," says Lexus International President, Tokuo Fukuichi.

The original version was unveiled in 2012, but it's yet to go to market.

There was no confirmation given at this year's motor show whether the car will eventually be available commercially.

More than 70 different concept cars are being presented at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The event runs until 8 November.

LEAD IN:

Eco-friendly rides and self-driving vehicles are stealing all the headlines at the annual Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Japanese auto makers Toyota, Honda and Lexus are all debuting new concept vehicles which embrace lower carbon technologies in comparison to traditional petrol engines.

STORY-LINE:

Automobiles are coming in all shapes and sizes at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, on Toyota's stand they're even glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.

On home soil, Toyota President Akio Toyoda introduced a collection of concept cars accompanied by popular Japanese Major League baseball player, Ichiro Suzuki.

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive," says the baseball player.

"Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow' Toyota will show us."

The Toyota president took the opportunity to declare the company's intention to play a leading role in the auto industry, wowing drivers in the process.

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment," says Toyoda.

"'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

The key concept car Toyota is unveiling this year is this new generation fuel cell vehicle called the 'Toyota FCV Plus'.

The vehicle has the capability to generate electricity by using hydrogen stored outside the vehicle.

That way, the car can function not only as a vehicle but also be used as a sort of portable power plant.

The automaker also unveiled this lightweight sports car concept called the 'Toyota S-FR'. Weighing only 980kg, it's designed for nimble driving.

Hans Greimel, an auto journalist who specialises in Asia's auto industry, says this year's motor show features a range of eco-themed cars.

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here," he says.

"The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

Volkswagen representatives used their presentation at the motor show to again apologise for the company's recent emissions scandal.

Despite none of the affected vehicles being sold in Japan, the company acknowledged the problems have "damaged Japanese trust" in the brand.

They also used the event to present the company's new Tiguan GTE concept car to Asian audiences.

Previously unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept is an SUV which boasts hybrid drive technology.

Volkswagen's CEO of Passenger Cars, Herbert Diess, says the car starts in full electric mode which has a range of 50 kilometres that will cover most daily drives.

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year," he says.

Honda claims their new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle is the first production model to consolidate the fuel-cell power train under the vehicle's hood.

That means it allows spacious areas in the rest of the vehicle, something some previous fuel cell vehicles didn't deliver.

The Japanese automaker also showed the latest version of its NSX.

Originally introduced in 1990, the new version is a hybrid sports car which uses both petrol and electric power.

The NSX has been a popular sports car for the brand, many see this as a reflection of Honda's F1 race technology.

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car," says Takahiro Hachigo, the president and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

"This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

Nissan is showing off this 'Teatro for Dayz' concept car which boasts seats and surfaces that can be used to display videos and images. Passengers can enjoy playing games that surround them in the car.

The automaker's president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, says the EV minicar resembles a digital gadget just as much a car.

Nissan also unveiled its other major concept called the 'IDS Concept', sharing its vision for future autonomous driving technology in the process.

This concept vehicle is loaded with laser scanners, a 360-degree camera setup, radar and computer technology that makes autonomous navigation possible.

Nissan plan to offer some autonomous driving features in its vehicles by the end of next year in Japan.

By 2018, the company says vehicles with the technology will be able to conduct lane changes on highways.

By 2020, such vehicles will be able to make their way through intersections on regular urban roads.

The IDS vehicle is also electric and can travel long distances on a single charge, also recharging quickly.

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering!" says Ghosn.

"When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off."

"If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great."

"That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

Lexus, Toyota's luxury car brand, is unveiling this stylish hybrid coupe concept called 'LF-FC'.

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy," says Lexus International President, Tokuo Fukuichi.

The original version was unveiled in 2012, but it's yet to go to market.

There was no confirmation given at this year's motor show whether the car will eventually be available commercially.

More than 70 different concept cars are being presented at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The event runs until 8 November.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 28 October 2015

1. Close of wheel of Toyota Motor Corp.'s concept car "FCV plus" on show at Tokyo Motor Show

2. Wide of FCV plus

3. Close of glowing ring on FCV plus

4. Wide of Toyota's world and Japan premiere vehicles on display

5. Close of Toyota's world and Japan premiere vehicle "SFR"

6. Wide of Ichiro Suzuki, American Major League Baseball Player, and Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Co., shaking hands onstage

7. Close of Suzuki and Toyoda onstage

8. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Ichiro Suzuki, American Major League Baseball Player:

"It is truly tough to compete in a global field. We need to meet many new challenges in order to survive. Those are the thoughts when I am standing at the batter's box. I am curious to what sort of 'wow" Toyota will show us."

9. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese/English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Co.:

"Toyota will produce better and better cars and will make an effort towards realising an enjoyable mobility environment. 'What wows you' is to be brave and meet the challenge. We will always continue to stand in the batter's box to meet the challenges in the future. Let's do it together!"

10. Various of Hans Greimel, Automotive News, Asia Editor, looking at car at Tokyo Motor Show

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hans Greimel, Automotive News, Asia Editor:

"At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, you're going to see a lot of activities from Japanese makers in particular on their home turf coming out with new kinds of green cars, new environmentally friendly cars - everything from fuel cells, you'll have those from Honda and from Toyota, to electric vehicles which is just about represented by just about everybody here. The other trend you're gonna see is autonomous driving trend, self-driving cars. All of the automakers are gonna have some kind of version of their vision for where that kind of self-driving car technology will go. And that's gonna be a centrepiece of the presentations here."

12. Wide of Sven Stein, Representative Director, Volkswagen Group Japan (left) and Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's CEO Passenger Cars brand (right) unveiling Tiguan GTE concept car with solar roof

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's CEO Passenger Cars brand:

"Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can be driven even further. That is because a solar module that can contribute enough energy for an additional 1,000 kilometres per year."

14. Wide of Diess standing in front of concept car while detailing safety features

UPSOUND: (English) "And it is precisely this type of progress that makes the Tiguan a Volkswagen."

15. Various of Stein and Diess posing for photographs next to Tiguan GTE concept car

16. Various of Honda's concept car "Clarity"

17. Wide of Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., walking onstage

18. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co.:

"This new NSX boasts the light weight body frame and with newly-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engines installed in the middle part of the car. This is a super sports car equipped with a three-motor hybrid system so that it can meet both demands, the fun of driving and good fuel mileage."

19. Various of Honda's NSX

20. Close of Nissan's concept car "Teatro for Dayz"

21. Wide of Nissan Teatro

22. Close of car dashboard

23. Close of dashboard graphics

24. Wide of Nissan Teatro interior with doors wide open showing LED panels changing designs of interior

25. Wide of Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., speaking onstage at presentation

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.:

"Above all, they want a car to be a versatile tool for self-expression and connecting with friends just like a smart phone."

27. Wide of Nissan's "IDS" autonomous car

28. Pull out of Nissan's "IDS"

29. SOUNDBITE: (English) Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.:

"I think it's empowering. It's empowering! When you're in an autonomous car, it's empowering because you switch on, you switch off. If you want to drive, you switch it off. If you don't want to drive, you're in the city, you're in a traffic jam, you receive a phone call, you need to have a conversation with somebody near you, you switch it on. It's empowering. I think that's great. That's why young people are going to love it, senior people are going to love it, families are going to love it, because it's going to give you more freedom to do whatever you want."

30. Wide of Lexus's world premiere vehicle LF-FC driving onstage

31. Pan left from photographer to car

32. Pull focus of Lexus logo

33. Wide of Lexus's world premiere vehicle LF-FC

34. Close of LF-FC rear

35. Close of markings, reading (English): 'Fuel Cell' on LF-FC

36. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Tokuo Fukuichi, Lexus International President:

"We hope that with this design, drivers will experience a ride that is full of emotion and joy."

37. Tilt down to Tokyo Motor Show floor

38. Wide of motor show floor

39. Long shot of visitors walking through motor show

LEADIN

Concept cars are back in vogue at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, with Japanese manufacturers unveiling electric vehicles in numbers that haven't been seen since the pre-crisis years.

Large areas of the show are dedicated to futuristic designs, reflecting the industry's attempts to appeal to consumers both through style and technology.

STORYLINE:

The experts here say things are starting to look up again - starting with this triangular-shaped vehicle with doors that open like wings.

It's Nissan's all-electric "BladeGlider," a three-seater vehicle that is designed with aerodynamics in mind and is powered by a lithium ion battery.

Nissan's President and CEO Carlos Ghosn was on hand at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show to explain the idea behind the concept car.

"The Blade Glider that you see behind me which is a triangular car . . . and this is a shape which is not possible if you are using a normal combustion engine. It is possible only because we have two in-wheel motors moving the car and this allows you a lot of freedom into positioning the driver in the middle of the car and having it triangular and 360 degrees vision and everything which goes with it. This is not only a concept but it is something which precludes the fact that Nissan is going to be extremely innovative thanks to the electric vehicle architecture. Extremely innovative in terms of shape of cars to come."

Nissan is also unveiling the IDx Nismo and IDx Freeflow concept vehicles at the show.

But what is the point of futuristic concept cars when so few come to the market ?

Ghosn explains that they provoke a reaction and act as a platform to try out new ideas.

"The concept cars are here to test. They are here to have a reaction. To have a reaction from our public from our consumers whether they are visiting the motor show or whether they're reacting on the social media. They see the product, they see the concept, they like they don't like, they comment and this is very helpful for us because it's going to trigger or more development around this concept or dropping the concept depending on this. So that's why you see from time to time concept cars that never transform into normal cars or marketable cars but on the contrary a lot of new cars, innovative cars, coming out of the concept car which has been very successful." he says.

One of Toyota's concept cars is this sleek Fun Vehicle 2 (FV2), which does away with the conventional steering wheel and is controlled by the driver's body movements instead.

The scooter-like vehicle interacts with the driver without the use of the conventional steering wheel or brake pedals.

The driver controls the car with body movement leaning to one side to make it turn in a manner that resembles the personal mobility vehicle, the Toyota Winglet.

Takeo Moriai, Project Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation, says that steering it is child's play.

"Our concept was to create a vehicle that intuitively interacted with the driver. These days there are many smartphones and new game consoles that interact with users in different ways but cars still rely on steering wheels and brake pedals. If one can steers a vehicle by just moving their body then even children would be able to use it and driving would be more fun and that's why we wanted to build this car."

Moriai adds that drivers will be able to watch the information screen and the road at the same time: "The front screen will display your destination without obstructing the view of the road in front of you. The area of the screen that does this is still small and one of the things we'll be doing next, is to enlarge it."

Toyota's other headline grabbing concept car is the more conventional looking Fuel Cell concept car.

Nothing is conventional about this car under the hood though.

It has a motor powered by fuel cells which give it an autonomy of between 500-700km (310 - 435 miles) and it can be recharged in just 3 minutes.

Toyota designers explain that the heat generated by the motor is so great that it requires large amounts of air for cooling and this explains the large grill at the front of the car.

Daihatsu, renowned for its smaller car models, is showing off a series of concept kei-cars (or k-cars) popular in the Japanese market with the intention to revive a sector that is normally just known for being economical.

Their new models ranged from models with exceptionally high roofs that offered extra space to the more sporty KOPEN models with panels so easily detachable and replaceable that you can even change the colour of the whole car in minutes.

The level of activity and buzz surrounding this year's motor show hasn't been seen for many years.

Hans Griemel of Automotive News, says that Japanese manufacturers are back in full force: "This year things are back to normal and we have the Japanese back in full force. Lots of concepts here. The stands are bristling with concept vehicles and we need these concept vehicles to kind of show that yes we are thinking again about the future, we are thinking about expansion, we're thinking about growth, and these concept vehicles really underline that push forward by the Japanese".

To whet appetites, automakers are making high-performance, luxury electric versions that give up little or nothing in performance.

BMW's i8 is a hybrid sports car that uses carbon-fibre parts to save weight so it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in just 4.5 seconds.

While major US manufacturers are notably missing at this year's show, European manufacturers are present in force with many familiar names from Volvo to Audi, and from BMW to Mercedes all present with large booths.

Even if Japan represents still a relatively small market for many of these companies, many brands have had considerable success especially at the high end of the market spectrum.

Testament to this is BMW's decision to have the worldwide premiere of their 4 Series Cabriolet models here this year.

Some other European manufacturers such as Porsche and Mercedes Benz also have some new releases in Japan.

The luxury market has seen a move away from the excesses of past years and now even premium consumers want to be seen to be environmentally conscious, says BMW Japan's President Alan Harris.

"People are not looking for the excesses of the past. They still want premium but their ideas of premium have changed and they want to have the best of both worlds. They want to be seen to be environmentally conscious and let's say 'green' in some ways but they still want to retain those luxury dynamic premium qualities that they now from the past, especially with a brand like BMW".

After some disappointing years, the 2013 Motor Show seems to be largely reflecting the optimism there is in Japan's much touted economic revival and points to a future that's greener, more efficient and more fun.

Over 400 foreign and domestic vehicles are on display at the biennial Tokyo Motor Show, which hosts over 30 Japanese and foreign automakers as well as dozens of parts makers and industry related exhibitors.

The Tokyo Motor Show opens to the public on Saturday November 23rd and runs until Sunday December 1st.

Tokyo, Japan - 20 November 2013

1. Front shot of Nissan's EV concept car, the Blade Glider with the doors opening automatically.

2. Right to left pan of the Blade Glider with doors open.

3. Shot of interior of Blade Glider

4. Shot of the rear of the Blade Glider

5. Shot of Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd. standing nearby the Blade Glider.

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd.

"The Blade Glider that you see behind me which is a triangular car . . . and this is a shape which is not possible if you are using a normal combustion engine. It is possible only because we have two in-wheel motors moving the car and this allows you a lot of freedom into positioning the driver in the middle of the car and having it triangular and 360 degrees vision and everything which goes with it. This is not only a concept but it is something which precludes the fact that Nissan is going to be extremely innovative thanks to the electric vehicle architecture. Extremely innovative in terms of shape of cars to come."

7. Ghosn on stage during Nissan's presentation

8. Shot of two more Nissan concept cars (the IDx Freeflow and the IDx NISMO", developed under the brand "Co-creation for young people".

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd.

"The concept cars are here to test. They are here to have a reaction. To have a reaction from our public from our consumers whether they are visiting the motor show or whether they're reacting on the social media. They see the product, they see the concept, they like they don't like, they comment and this is very helpful for us because it's going to trigger or more development around this concept or dropping the concept depending on this. So that's why you see from time to time concept cars that never transform into normal cars or marketable cars but on the contrary a lot of new cars, innovative cars, coming out of the concept car which has been very successful."

10. Side shot of the Toyota FV2 concept vehicle.

11. Shot from the rear of the FV2 as Takeo Moriai, Project Manager at Toyota, approaches the vehicle and touches it to open it.

12. Moriai demonstrates how the FV2 is controlled by body movement.

13. Front shot Moriai demonstrates how the FV2 is controlled by body movement.

14. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeo Moriai, Project Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation

"Our concept was to create a vehicle that intuitively interacted with the driver. These days there are many smartphones and new game consoles that interact with users in different ways but cars still rely on steering wheels and brake pedals. If one can steers a vehicle by just moving their body then even children would be able to use it and driving would be more fun and that's why we wanted to build this car."

15. Shot from the rear of the FV2

16. Shot of Moriai explaining about the technology of the front screen.

17. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeo Moriai, Project Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation

"The front screen will display your destination without obstructing the view of the road in front of you. The area of the screen that does this is still small and one of the things we'll be doing next, is to enlarge it."

18. FV2 closing

19. Cutaway - Toyota Newly released Fuel Cell Concept car.

20. Cutaway - Daihatsu concept vehicle

21. Cutaway - Daihatsu concept vehicle called Deca Deca

22. Cutaway - Models demonstrate how to remove panels from the KOPEN Daihatsu concept car.

23. Cutaway - Model removing side panel of KOPEN concept car.

24. Cutaway - Model replacing the hood of a KOPEN concept car with one of a different colour.

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor for Automotive News

"This year things are back to normal and we have the Japanese back in full force. Lots of concepts here. The stands are bristling with concept vehicles and we need these concept vehicles to kind of show that yes we are thinking again about the future, we are thinking about expansion, we're thinking about growth, and these concept vehicles really underline that push forward by the Japanese".

26. Front shot of the BMW i8 - concept car

27. Left to right pan of the BMW i8 concept car

28. Front shot of the BMW4 series Cabriolet - World Premiere

29. Interior of the BMW4 series Cabriolet

30. Rear shot of the BMW4 series Cabriolet

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Alan Harris, President of BMW Japan

"People are not looking for the excesses of the past. They still want premium but their ideas of premium have changed and they want to have the best of both worlds. They want to be seen to be environmentally conscious and let's say 'green' in some ways but they still want to retain those luxury dynamic premium qualities that they now from the past, especially with a brand like BMW".

32. Toyota concept vehicle demonstration at the Toyota booth.

LEADIN:

Concept cars and the latest eco-friendly vehicles are being unveiled by Japanese automakers at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Analysts say Japanese car makers are now facing new challengers from outside the traditional auto market, especially from Silicon Valley and China.

STORYLINE:

Toyota Motor Corp. is debuting its Concept-i concept car in Tokyo.

The futuristic-looking vehicle is equipped with autonomous driving features and artificial intelligence technologies.

The vehicles' AI technology allows it to shift to autonomous driving by detecting the driver's mood and condition. It analyses the driver's facial expressions and behaviour.

The automaker is also introducing this Fine-Comfort Ride, a new fuel cell concept car that can run 1,000 kilometres.

That's 50 percent longer than its predecessor, the Mirai, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which went on sale in 2014.

The company is also showing a hybrid sports car concept, named the GRHV Sports concept.

Toyota Motor Corp. executive vice president Didier Leroy, stressed the importance of keeping Toyota's ability to develop zero-emissions and smart models using various technologies, not just focusing on electric vehicles.

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cell or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment," he says.

"That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells.

"So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

Despite being a pioneer in hybrid technology, Toyota has been slow to embrace EVs.

But with the market rapidly expanding, the company is moving to boost its efforts in EV production through a capital tie-up with Mazda Motor Corp.

Nissan Motor Co. is showcasing its IMx zero-emission concept with automated driving technology and a range of over 600 kilometres.

The company says the design enables safer, more convenient and more enjoyable driving.

Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci says the concept model isn't a far-flung idea, but something possible in the "very near future."

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea," he says.

"It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

Nissan, a leading EV maker with its well-established Leaf model, is also unveiling its Leaf Nismo Concept car.

It's a sporty version of the Leaf electric vehicle developed and launched in September.

Analysts say Japanese auto makers have been leading the industry for years.

But they're now facing a new environment, competing with newcomers outside traditional auto market and outside the technology they've excelled in.

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China," says Hans Greimel, Asia editor of Automotive News.

"So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise.

"We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation is introducing its e-EVOLUTION concept, a high performance all electric crossover SUV.

The sporty EV is equipped with AI to help with off-roading.

Honda Motor Co. is showcasing this Sports EV Concept, built upon an EV-specific platform with AI technology.

Honda hopes to present "a next-generation sports car" and "a stylish form of a compact car" with the concept model.

Japanese auto giants, such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are among over 150 companies and organisations exhibiting at the annual Tokyo Motor Show.

The event opens to the pubic 28 October and runs till 5 November.

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

1. Various of Toyota's Concept-i being unveiled and Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp., coming on the stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"Akio Toyoda (Toyota President) said those who exceed others in their passion to make ever better society will be the leading player in future mobility."

3. Various of Concept-i

4. Various of GRHV Sports concept

5. Various of Fine-Comfort Ride

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cells or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment. That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells. So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

7. Various of Nissan unveiling IMx zero-emission concept, pan to Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniele Schillaci, Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales:

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea. It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

9. Various of IMx zero-emission concept

10. Various of Nissan Leaf Nismo concept

Tokyo, Japan - 23 October 2017

11. Setup shot of Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China. So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise. We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

13. Various of Mitsubishi e-EVOLUTION concept

14. Various of Honda Sports EV concept

LEADIN:

Concept cars and the latest eco-friendly vehicles are being unveiled by Japanese automakers at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Analysts say Japanese car makers are now facing new challengers from outside the traditional auto market, especially from Silicon Valley and China.

STORYLINE:

Toyota Motor Corp. is debuting its Concept-i concept car in Tokyo.

The futuristic-looking vehicle is equipped with autonomous driving features and artificial intelligence technologies.

The vehicles' AI technology allows it to shift to autonomous driving by detecting the driver's mood and condition. It analyses the driver's facial expressions and behaviour.

The automaker is also introducing this Fine-Comfort Ride, a new fuel cell concept car that can run 1,000 kilometres.

That's 50 percent longer than its predecessor, the Mirai, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which went on sale in 2014.

The company is also showing a hybrid sports car concept, named the GRHV Sports concept.

Toyota Motor Corp. executive vice president Didier Leroy, stressed the importance of keeping Toyota's ability to develop zero-emissions and smart models using various technologies, not just focusing on electric vehicles.

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cell or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment," he says.

"That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells.

"So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

Despite being a pioneer in hybrid technology, Toyota has been slow to embrace EVs.

But with the market rapidly expanding, the company is moving to boost its efforts in EV production through a capital tie-up with Mazda Motor Corp.

Nissan Motor Co. is showcasing its IMx zero-emission concept with automated driving technology and a range of over 600 kilometres.

The company says the design enables safer, more convenient and more enjoyable driving.

Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci says the concept model isn't a far-flung idea, but something possible in the "very near future."

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea," he says.

"It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

Nissan, a leading EV maker with its well-established Leaf model, is also unveiling its Leaf Nismo Concept car.

It's a sporty version of the Leaf electric vehicle developed and launched in September.

Analysts say Japanese auto makers have been leading the industry for years.

But they're now facing a new environment, competing with newcomers outside traditional auto market and outside the technology they've excelled in.

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China," says Hans Greimel, Asia editor of Automotive News.

"So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise.

"We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation is introducing its e-EVOLUTION concept, a high performance all electric crossover SUV.

The sporty EV is equipped with AI to help with off-roading.

Honda Motor Co. is showcasing this Sports EV Concept, built upon an EV-specific platform with AI technology.

Honda hopes to present "a next-generation sports car" and "a stylish form of a compact car" with the concept model.

Japanese auto giants, such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are among over 150 companies and organisations exhibiting at the annual Tokyo Motor Show.

The event opens to the pubic 28 October and runs till 5 November.

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

1. Various of Toyota's Concept-i being unveiled and Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp., coming on the stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"Akio Toyoda (Toyota President) said those who exceed others in their passion to make ever better society will be the leading player in future mobility."

3. Various of Concept-i

4. Various of GRHV Sports concept

5. Various of Fine-Comfort Ride

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cells or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment. That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells. So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

7. Various of Nissan unveiling IMx zero-emission concept, pan to Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniele Schillaci, Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales:

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea. It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

9. Various of IMx zero-emission concept

10. Various of Nissan Leaf Nismo concept

Tokyo, Japan - 23 October 2017

11. Setup shot of Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China. So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise. We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

13. Various of Mitsubishi e-EVOLUTION concept

14. Various of Honda Sports EV concept

LEADIN:

Concept cars and the latest eco-friendly vehicles are being unveiled by Japanese automakers at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Analysts say Japanese car makers are now facing new challengers from outside the traditional auto market, especially from Silicon Valley and China.

STORYLINE:

Toyota Motor Corp. is debuting its Concept-i concept car in Tokyo.

The futuristic-looking vehicle is equipped with autonomous driving features and artificial intelligence technologies.

The vehicles' AI technology allows it to shift to autonomous driving by detecting the driver's mood and condition. It analyses the driver's facial expressions and behaviour.

The automaker is also introducing this Fine-Comfort Ride, a new fuel cell concept car that can run 1,000 kilometres.

That's 50 percent longer than its predecessor, the Mirai, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which went on sale in 2014.

The company is also showing a hybrid sports car concept, named the GRHV Sports concept.

Toyota Motor Corp. executive vice president Didier Leroy, stressed the importance of keeping Toyota's ability to develop zero-emissions and smart models using various technologies, not just focusing on electric vehicles.

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cell or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment," he says.

"That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells.

"So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

Despite being a pioneer in hybrid technology, Toyota has been slow to embrace EVs.

But with the market rapidly expanding, the company is moving to boost its efforts in EV production through a capital tie-up with Mazda Motor Corp.

Nissan Motor Co. is showcasing its IMx zero-emission concept with automated driving technology and a range of over 600 kilometres.

The company says the design enables safer, more convenient and more enjoyable driving.

Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci says the concept model isn't a far-flung idea, but something possible in the "very near future."

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea," he says.

"It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

Nissan, a leading EV maker with its well-established Leaf model, is also unveiling its Leaf Nismo Concept car.

It's a sporty version of the Leaf electric vehicle developed and launched in September.

Analysts say Japanese auto makers have been leading the industry for years.

But they're now facing a new environment, competing with newcomers outside traditional auto market and outside the technology they've excelled in.

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China," says Hans Greimel, Asia editor of Automotive News.

"So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise.

"We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation is introducing its e-EVOLUTION concept, a high performance all electric crossover SUV.

The sporty EV is equipped with AI to help with off-roading.

Honda Motor Co. is showcasing this Sports EV Concept, built upon an EV-specific platform with AI technology.

Honda hopes to present "a next-generation sports car" and "a stylish form of a compact car" with the concept model.

Japanese auto giants, such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are among over 150 companies and organisations exhibiting at the annual Tokyo Motor Show.

The event opens to the pubic 28 October and runs till 5 November.

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

1. Various of Toyota's Concept-i being unveiled and Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp., coming on the stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"Akio Toyoda (Toyota President) said those who exceed others in their passion to make ever better society will be the leading player in future mobility."

3. Various of Concept-i

4. Various of GRHV Sports concept

5. Various of Fine-Comfort Ride

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corp.:

"In the world, the development of the infrastructure for the fuel cells or for the charging for the batteries will be developed at different speeds based on the countries, based on the government and strategy and so on and also based on private investment. That means we must be ready for all the different kind of technologies. And at the same time, we know that urban mobility will go probably much faster to pure battery EV, long distance will go probably much faster to fuel cells. So, we must be ready for all the technologies at the same time. And we are developing all the technologies because we want to provide the right car, at the right time, at the right place, everywhere in the world."

7. Various of Nissan unveiling IMx zero-emission concept, pan to Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales Daniele Schillaci

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniele Schillaci, Nissan executive vice president for global marketing and sales:

"This Nissan IMx zero-emission concept is not just an idea. It's our view of future of mobility and not in a distant future, but in the very near future."

9. Various of IMx zero-emission concept

10. Various of Nissan Leaf Nismo concept

Tokyo, Japan - 23 October 2017

11. Setup shot of Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor, Automotive News

"The Japanese used to be technology leaders, but really what they're finding is that they, like all global makers, are being pressured by new comers, not only from Silicon Valley, but from China. So, they really have to up their game. And, they're stepping into technology areas where they don't have a lot of expertise. We're talking things like robotics, software, artificial intelligence. That's the kind of technology that's gonna be driving the next generation, the future generation of cars and that's where they're really struggling to step up their game."

Tokyo, Japan - 25 October 2017

13. Various of Mitsubishi e-EVOLUTION concept

14. Various of Honda Sports EV concept

While next-generation eco-cars in Japan have been dominated by Toyota's hybrid Prius and Nissan's electronic vehicle Leaf, both companies are rolling out not just greener, but sleeker functions and designs this year.

Carlos Ghosn, chief executive at Nissan, heralds the connection of cars to infrastructure.

"The time when an automaker could focus only on the vehicle is over" Ghosn said. Pointing to Nissan's latest line up of vehicles, he stressed "these are not exercises in design fantasy but viable transport solutions for tomorrow's digitally connected urban societies where smart houses and smart communities support zero emission mobility."

The updated version of its futuristic-looking electric car called Pivo 3 - can drive itself, find parking spaces, charge its own battery and even come and pick you up once summoned through your smartphone.

In about a decade, electric vehicles will make up 10 percent of the market as concerns grow about global warming, and governments in the U.S., Japan, Europe and China encourage their sales, says Ghosn.

Meanwhile, Japan's biggest automaker Toyota, flexed its R&D muscles and presented 5 world premiere vehicles at the show. For the auto giant, variety was key.

It rolled out its Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHV), equipped with a high-capacity lithium ion-battery that can be charged from a household outlet.

Toyota also premiered a concept fuel-cell vehicle (FCV-R) which uses hydrogen as power source and is slated to launch in 2015, as well as a compact electric vehicle (FT-EV III) designed for short-distance trips, scheduled to launch in 2012.

And in the hopes of attracting younger buyers back into the market by making cars "fun to drive, again" - Toyota's new slogan - the auto giant debuted a prototype "86" compact rear-wheel-drive sports car.

"When we talk about the car of the future, we're not just going to be talking about whether its hybrid or plug-in hybrid." Toyota President Akio Toyoda said. "Customers will make their decisions, but their choices will not be limited to just one. I believe there is a place for different cars with different advantages."

Japanese automakers have had a tough few years due to image problems from Toyota's massive recalls and the large production disruptions from the March disasters in northeastern Japan. But green technology remains a strong selling point for car makers such as Toyota Motor Corp. which pioneered broad consumer acceptance of gasoline-electric hybrid cars with its hit Prius.

So with hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electronic vehicles, fuel cells and more coming down the pipeline, where is the next generation eco-friendly car headed? Koji Endo, auto analyst at Advanced Research Japan says despite all the fanfare, he expects hybrids to stay on for the time being.

"I think, looking at 10 years from now, or maybe beyond, electric vehicles seem to be getting more and more attention as practical way. At the same time, there are going to be fuel cell, more advanced type of diesel, and a lot of number of new types of eco-friendly cars available. Still, people's focus is till on the hybrid," says Endo.

As for the Tokyo Motor Show itself, there seems to be a little more hype this year with 52 world premiere vehicles, 15 domestic brands and 24 foreign brands participating. That's a drastic improvement from just 9 foreign brands that were present for the previous show in 2009 that was held in the midst of the global financial crisis after the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Still, Ford Motor Co. of the U.S. skipped the show, and General Motors Co. had only a tiny corner booth. Just a handful of European manufacturers like Volkswagen AG and BMW are back in Japan this time aiming to woo rich Japanese buyers had full-scale booths.

The show been scaling back in recent years because of the waning importance of Japan as an auto market. Car makers _ including Japan's _ are increasingly looking to China, India and other nations with greater growth potential.

This year, organisers of the show are hoping to attract over 800,000 visitors during the event by bringing it back to Tokyo for the first time in 24 years, extending opening hours, and offering cheaper tickets for visitors who come in the evening.

The Tokyo Motor Show will be open to the public from December 3-11.

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - November 30, 2011

1. Close of Nissan "PIVO3"2. Wide of Carlos Ghosn appearing on stage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.

"The time when an automaker could focus only on the vehicle is over. Look at the concept cars here today. These are not exercises in design fantasy but viable transport solutions for tomorrow's digitally connected urban societies where smart houses and smart communities support zero emission mobility."

4. Pull focus on Nissan's emblem

5. Wide of Pivo 3 on stage

6. Close of Pivo 3 tyres

7. Mid of Pivo 3

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Koji Endo, auto analyst of Advanced Research Japan

"I must say, everybody's talking about still eco-friendly cars such as hybrid and plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. And at the same time, everybody is now trying to focus on small cars, more fuel economical cars, cheap cars, that people can afford to buying those cars."

9. Wide of Toyota's Fuel Cell Vehicle "FCV-R"

10. Close of FCV-R

11. Frontal shot of FCV-R

12. Wide of stage with the newest plug-in hybrid "Prius PHV" and electronic vehicle "FT-EV III" with President of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, standing in front of stage

13. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corp.

"When we talk about the car of the future, we're not just going to be talking about whether its hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Customers will make their decisions, but their choices will not be limited to just one. I believe there is a place for different cars with different advantages."

14. Pull focus of BMW emblem on car

15. Frontal shot of BMW concept sports car

16. Frontal shot of BMW world premiere hybrid series 5 "Active Hybrid 5"

17. Close pull focus of "Active Hybrid 5" sign on BMW car 18. Mid of display with sign "world premiere" with BMW car 19. Focus shift of Citroen emblem on car 20. Wide of Citroen booth 21. Frontal shot of Volkswagen's "New Bulli"

22. Close of Volkswagen's emblem on car

23. Wide of Volkswagen booth

24. SOUNDBITE: (English) Koji Endo, auto analyst of Advanced Research Japan

"I think, looking at 10 years from now, or maybe beyond, electric vehicles seem to be getting more and more attention as practical way. At the same time, there are going to be fuel cell, more advanced type of diesel, and a lot of number of new types of eco-friendly cars available. Still, people's focus is till on the hybrid."

25. Close of Honda's emblem on its concept electronic vehicle "Micro Commuter"

26. Mid of Honda's Micro Commuter

27. Close of the Micro Commuter with sign: "See you!"

28. Wide of Tokyo Motor Show

29. Wide of logos of various automakers

30. Wide of people attending the auto show

LEADIN:

The race for greener cars is on. Plug-in hybrids and electric cars took centre stage at the Tokyo Auto Show as manufacturers look to fuel efficient technology to reinvigorate growth.

The showcase for Japan's auto industry was holds the media preview on Wednesday ahead of opening to the public on Saturday.

SWITZERLAND HYBRID CARS

LENGTH: 4.56

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION NEWS

RESTRICTION: AP TECH TV CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

1. Various exterior motor show

2. Interior motor show

3. Various of Toyota stand, Toyota Prius video in background

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota:

"Well it's really, let's say a 'hybrid hype.' "

5. Sign reading Hybrid Synergy Drive

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota:

"I tell you, increase from the customer in environmental concern; increased oil prices; but I think mainly environmental concerns. People are really getting concerned about in what world their grandchildren are going to live".

7. Various of stand (featuring stuffed racoons) from Swiss government campaign highlighting car pollution

8. Prototype electric car,

9. Close up electric car's battery in the boot

10. Various of prototype Bollor� blu car

11. Nissan Pivo electric car; doors closing body spinning on wheel base

12. Close up hostess smiling from inside Pivo

13. Hostess inside electric concept car from Toyota Aygo

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Susanne Wegmann, president of e-mobile association:

"There has been talking about hybrid vehicles for more than one hundred years. But that they are really on the market and are available for everybody, so that everybody can drive, it's been only very recently."

15. Toyota stand

16. Lexus hybrid sedan GS 450 H poster with video in background

17. Various close up of model of sedan

18. Various of hybrid SUV from General Motors

19. Various of Citroen C4 diesel electric hybrid

20. Various of other hybrid cars

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Susanne Wegmann, President of E-mobile Association:

"I don't think it's going to be one standard, but I think it's going to be different 'drive trains' which take up more and more - one will be natural gas."

23. Gas pump

24. Renault Kangoo equipped for natural gas

25. Close up gas tank

26. Pump

27. Various of pump in action

28. Demonstration of distilled cellulosic compost to make ethanol

29. Various of Saab bio power vehicle which runs on ethanol or petrol

30. SOUNDBITE (English) Mario Klaus, Saab marketing manager:

"In Sweden they have the benefit that the ethanol, the fuel itself, is quite cheap, compared to the normal fuel. On the other side for instance in Stockholm you don't pay any parking fees, you don't pay any road pricing and you have tax benefits as well".

31. Tracking shot over floor map of Geneva streets

32. Exterior motorshow, tracking shot interior car at lights

33. Hybrid car owner Nadine Wuillemin driving

34. SOUNDBITE (French) Nadine Wuillemin, owner of hybrid car:

"I wanted a car which consumed less than one hundred litres and polluted less than one hundred and twenty grams of...I don't remember what. And I ticked away the vehicles one by one. It (her car) recharges by itself as you drive, you can follow the consumption here... for example now I am going uphill then the battery is in use, and now, it's recharging, there are the small green lines."

35. Interior motorshow, various of men washing car

36. Honda's prototype home energy station

37. Various Honda Formula 1 driver Jenson Button with Honda CEO Takeo Fukui

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Takeo Fukui, Honda CEO:

"Today we display the FCX concept model which is very close to the next generation of fuel cells vehicles."

39. Honda FCX on stand

40. Various computer animation: Honda FCX driving

SUGGESTED LEAD IN

With the rising cost of petrol, cars powered with alternative fuels have become more and more popular.

And this is no exception at the Geneva International Motor Show where hybrid cars are one of the highlights.

But for anyone that thinks environmentally friendly means boring -- they're in for a surprise.

SUGGESTED VOICE OVER

Alongside the shiny racing cars, this year the Geneva Motorshow also tackled a serious topic - the environmental impact of our addiction to driving.

A number of car manufacturers have been creating vehicles that can run on a variety of alternative energy sources -- cars which both conserve oil and reduce CO2 pollution.

Although there are already many alternatives - this year's buzz word is "hybrid."

SOUNDBITE (English)

"Well it's really, let's say a 'hybrid hype.'"

SUPERCAPTION: Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota

And such cars are popular for many reasons.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"I tell you, increase from the customer in environmental concerns, increased oil prices, but I think mainly environmental concerns. People are really getting concerned about in what world their grandchildren are going to live"

SUPERCAPTION: Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota

A recent campaign from the Swiss federal government suggests labelling cars to show their level of ecological friendliness.

This Bollor� Blue e-car lasts 250 kilometres before needing to be recharged -- and that only cost two US dollars.

The hybrids Nissan Pivo and Toyota Aygo are both scoring highly --both in manoeuvrability and design.

Despite the buzz here in Geneva, the hybrid car is not a new concept.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"There has been talking about hybrid vehicles for more than one hundred years, but that they have been available on the market and available for everybody, so that everybody can drive, it's been only very recently".

SUPERCAPTION: Susanne Wegmann, president, e-mobile association

A hybrid is a car that runs on more than one fuel -- a car with a standard petrol engine, coupled with an electric motor.

This is not an electric battery that you recharge during the night but a battery that recharges itself while you are driving, picking up all the unused kinetic energy from the engine, and giving it back when the car needs a boost.

The result is less petrol consumption and therefore less pollution.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"I don't think it's going to be one standard, but I think it's going to be different 'drive trains' which take up more and more - one will be natural gas."

SUPERCAPTION: Susanne Wegmann, President, E-mobile Association

Other "alternative fuels" that are not necessarily new are natural gas or methane.

These and LPG -- liquid petroleum gas -- a mixture of two gases: propane and butane have been used to power vehicles for decades.

A new alternative that many are betting on is ethanol or E85, produced via the distillation of bio waste (corn, sugar cane, organic waste).

But to make this the choice of the future, all sorts of incentives are needed.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"In Sweden they have the benefit that the ethanol, the fuel itself, is quite cheap, compared to the normal fuel; on the other side for instance in Stockholm you don't pay any parking fees, you don't pay any road pricing and you have tax benefits as well".

SUPERCAPTION: Mario Klaus, Saab marketing manager)

In this labyrinth of possible choices, which road will the environmentally conscious consumer take?

One Swiss citizen, worried about the environment, did her homework before buying a Honda Civic IMA.

SOUNDBITE (French)

"I wanted a car which consumed less than one hundred litres and polluted less than one hundred and twenty grams of...I don't remember what. And I ticked away the vehicles one by one. It (her car) recharges by itself as you drive, you can follow the consumption here... for example now I am going uphill then the battery is in use, and now, it's recharging, there are the small green lines."

SUPERCAPTION: Nadine Wuillemin, owner of hybrid car

And if the waste product of the car is water -- there is a solution for that too.

Honda has just launched the new FCX fuel cell concept vehicle, which does just that.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"Today we display the FCX Concept model which is very close to the next generation of fuel cells vehicles."

SUPERCAPTION: Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda

As people become more environmentally conscious, car manufacturers are coming up with more designs to both impress consumers and protect the world we live in.

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LEADIN:

Concept cars, electric vehicles and hybrids are stealing the show at India's 2018 Auto Expo.

Brands including Toyota, Honda and Renault are showcasing futuristic designs and more environmentally-friendly motors.

STORYLINE:

South Korean car brand Kia is gearing up to enter the Indian market.

It's creating a lot of buzz at the 2018 Auto Expo in Uttar Pradesh, near New Delhi.

On display is the brand's new Stinger GT and the SP SUV, a compact SUV tailored for the Indian market, which the company plans to launch in 2019.

Thousands are flocking to India's biggest auto show to check out the latest in car design and technology.

Mercedes-Benz is showing off its Concept EQ. The sporty SUV runs on a battery-electric engine and can produce up to 300 kilowatts of power.

Renault is showcasing its Trezor Concept, showing what the future of battery-powered sports cars might look like.

Last year, in an attempt to clean up the country's air pollution, India's government announced that it wanted all new cars from 2030 onwards to be electric.

But there's a long way to go for the relatively expensive electric and hybrid vehicles to penetrate the Indian market, which is currently dominated by more affordable petrol and diesel cars.

This Honda Accord Hybrid comes at a hefty price tag of $67,000 USD in India.

But car makers like Honda are hopeful Indians will buy more environmentally-friendly cars, with more incentives from the government.

"In these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies," says Rakesh Sidana, operating head at Honda Cars India.

"So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)?"

Toyota is showing off its electric Prius PHV.

Renault is displaying its Zoe E-Sport Concept, a two-door version of its electric city car, which it plans to bring to India.

Car makers say they believe young Indians, with more money to spend due to rising incomes, will take to electric and hybrid vehicles.

"If we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades," says Sidana.

"Which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value."

India's second largest car manufacturer Hyundai is set to introduce a toned-down version of its fully-electric Ioniq sedan to Indians next year.

Puneet Anand, senior general manager at Hyundai India, believes hybrid and electric cars are the future vehicles of India.

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time," he says.

"So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

India's Auto Expo 2018 runs till 14 February.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 9 February 2018

1. Mid of musicians performing

2. Wide of musicians performing, models posing next to Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

3. Visitors taking pictures

4. Wide of models posing with Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

5. Mid of a model posing next to Kia SP SUV Concept

6. Mid of Mercedes Benz emblem on Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ

7. Wide of model posing next to Mercedes Benz Concept EQ

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 12 February 2018

8. Sign on floor 'Renault Trezor', tilt up to model posing next to concept car

9. Close of steering wheel of Renault Trezor concept car

10. Various of Toyota FCV Plus concept car

11. Close of front of Honda Sports EV concept car

12. Wide of Honda Sports EV concept car (right) and NeuV concept car (left)

13. Pan right from Honda Sports EV to NeuV concept car

14. Visitor taking photos on his phone

15. Door of NeuV concept car opening

16. Mid of NeuV concept car interior

17. Wide of visitors at Honda pavilion

18. Wide of model posing next to Honda Accord Hybrid car, priced at approx. $67,000 USD in India

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"Accord (Hybrid) that we are showcasing here, it's 55 percent more efficient than a normal petrol Accord. So, in these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies. So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)? So, hybrid is a one good stepping stone, plug in hybrids is another one. So, internationally also if you look at, all countries are talking about 15 percent, 20 percent penetration to 2030 of pure battery electric vehicles because of the inherent battery constraints in terms of technology. But even our own global policy is that by 2030, two third of our cars will be electric vehicles."

20. Wide of Toyota pavilion

21. Various of Toyota's Prius PHV plug-in hybrid

22. Various of Renault Zoe E- Sports concept car

23. Close of visitor taking pictures on phone

24. Pan left from visitors to electric motor of Renault Zoe

25. Mid of electric motor

26. Close of charging point

27. Various of Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"There is a very high price sensitivity in this market, but there is also a very high value consciousness. So, if we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades, which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value. So, we don't see a challenge in terms of pricing, we see a challenge of very high value of equation to be given to the customer and that's what our endeavour has been."

29. Pan left of visitors looking at cars at Hyundai pavilion

30. Close of Hyundai's electric car, Ioniq, being charged

31. Various of visitors looking at car

32. Tracking shot of Hyundai Ioniq

33. Various of Ioniq interior

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Puneet Anand, Senior General Manager and Group Head, Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Limited:

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time. So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

35. Close of dancers performing at Hyundai pavilion

36. Wide of Hyundai pavilion

LEADIN:

Concept cars, electric vehicles and hybrids are stealing the show at India's 2018 Auto Expo.

Brands including Toyota, Honda and Renault are showcasing futuristic designs and more environmentally-friendly motors.

STORYLINE:

South Korean car brand Kia is gearing up to enter the Indian market.

It's creating a lot of buzz at the 2018 Auto Expo in Uttar Pradesh, near New Delhi.

On display is the brand's new Stinger GT and the SP SUV, a compact SUV tailored for the Indian market, which the company plans to launch in 2019.

Thousands are flocking to India's biggest auto show to check out the latest in car design and technology.

Mercedes-Benz is showing off its Concept EQ. The sporty SUV runs on a battery-electric engine and can produce up to 300 kilowatts of power.

Renault is showcasing its Trezor Concept, showing what the future of battery-powered sports cars might look like.

Last year, in an attempt to clean up the country's air pollution, India's government announced that it wanted all new cars from 2030 onwards to be electric.

But there's a long way to go for the relatively expensive electric and hybrid vehicles to penetrate the Indian market, which is currently dominated by more affordable petrol and diesel cars.

This Honda Accord Hybrid comes at a hefty price tag of $67,000 USD in India.

But car makers like Honda are hopeful Indians will buy more environmentally-friendly cars, with more incentives from the government.

"In these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies," says Rakesh Sidana, operating head at Honda Cars India.

"So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)?"

Toyota is showing off its electric Prius PHV.

Renault is displaying its Zoe E-Sport Concept, a two-door version of its electric city car, which it plans to bring to India.

Car makers say they believe young Indians, with more money to spend due to rising incomes, will take to electric and hybrid vehicles.

"If we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades," says Sidana.

"Which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value."

India's second largest car manufacturer Hyundai is set to introduce a toned-down version of its fully-electric Ioniq sedan to Indians next year.

Puneet Anand, senior general manager at Hyundai India, believes hybrid and electric cars are the future vehicles of India.

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time," he says.

"So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

India's Auto Expo 2018 runs till 14 February.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 9 February 2018

1. Mid of musicians performing

2. Wide of musicians performing, models posing next to Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

3. Visitors taking pictures

4. Wide of models posing with Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

5. Mid of a model posing next to Kia SP SUV Concept

6. Mid of Mercedes Benz emblem on Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ

7. Wide of model posing next to Mercedes Benz Concept EQ

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 12 February 2018

8. Sign on floor 'Renault Trezor', tilt up to model posing next to concept car

9. Close of steering wheel of Renault Trezor concept car

10. Various of Toyota FCV Plus concept car

11. Close of front of Honda Sports EV concept car

12. Wide of Honda Sports EV concept car (right) and NeuV concept car (left)

13. Pan right from Honda Sports EV to NeuV concept car

14. Visitor taking photos on his phone

15. Door of NeuV concept car opening

16. Mid of NeuV concept car interior

17. Wide of visitors at Honda pavilion

18. Wide of model posing next to Honda Accord Hybrid car, priced at approx. $67,000 USD in India

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"Accord (Hybrid) that we are showcasing here, it's 55 percent more efficient than a normal petrol Accord. So, in these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies. So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)? So, hybrid is a one good stepping stone, plug in hybrids is another one. So, internationally also if you look at, all countries are talking about 15 percent, 20 percent penetration to 2030 of pure battery electric vehicles because of the inherent battery constraints in terms of technology. But even our own global policy is that by 2030, two third of our cars will be electric vehicles."

20. Wide of Toyota pavilion

21. Various of Toyota's Prius PHV plug-in hybrid

22. Various of Renault Zoe E- Sports concept car

23. Close of visitor taking pictures on phone

24. Pan left from visitors to electric motor of Renault Zoe

25. Mid of electric motor

26. Close of charging point

27. Various of Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"There is a very high price sensitivity in this market, but there is also a very high value consciousness. So, if we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades, which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value. So, we don't see a challenge in terms of pricing, we see a challenge of very high value of equation to be given to the customer and that's what our endeavour has been."

29. Pan left of visitors looking at cars at Hyundai pavilion

30. Close of Hyundai's electric car, Ioniq, being charged

31. Various of visitors looking at car

32. Tracking shot of Hyundai Ioniq

33. Various of Ioniq interior

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Puneet Anand, Senior General Manager and Group Head, Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Limited:

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time. So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

35. Close of dancers performing at Hyundai pavilion

36. Wide of Hyundai pavilion

LEADIN:

Concept cars, electric vehicles and hybrids are stealing the show at India's 2018 Auto Expo.

Brands including Toyota, Honda and Renault are showcasing futuristic designs and more environmentally-friendly motors.

STORYLINE:

South Korean car brand Kia is gearing up to enter the Indian market.

It's creating a lot of buzz at the 2018 Auto Expo in Uttar Pradesh, near New Delhi.

On display is the brand's new Stinger GT and the SP SUV, a compact SUV tailored for the Indian market, which the company plans to launch in 2019.

Thousands are flocking to India's biggest auto show to check out the latest in car design and technology.

Mercedes-Benz is showing off its Concept EQ. The sporty SUV runs on a battery-electric engine and can produce up to 300 kilowatts of power.

Renault is showcasing its Trezor Concept, showing what the future of battery-powered sports cars might look like.

Last year, in an attempt to clean up the country's air pollution, India's government announced that it wanted all new cars from 2030 onwards to be electric.

But there's a long way to go for the relatively expensive electric and hybrid vehicles to penetrate the Indian market, which is currently dominated by more affordable petrol and diesel cars.

This Honda Accord Hybrid comes at a hefty price tag of $67,000 USD in India.

But car makers like Honda are hopeful Indians will buy more environmentally-friendly cars, with more incentives from the government.

"In these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies," says Rakesh Sidana, operating head at Honda Cars India.

"So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)?"

Toyota is showing off its electric Prius PHV.

Renault is displaying its Zoe E-Sport Concept, a two-door version of its electric city car, which it plans to bring to India.

Car makers say they believe young Indians, with more money to spend due to rising incomes, will take to electric and hybrid vehicles.

"If we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades," says Sidana.

"Which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value."

India's second largest car manufacturer Hyundai is set to introduce a toned-down version of its fully-electric Ioniq sedan to Indians next year.

Puneet Anand, senior general manager at Hyundai India, believes hybrid and electric cars are the future vehicles of India.

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time," he says.

"So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

India's Auto Expo 2018 runs till 14 February.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 9 February 2018

1. Mid of musicians performing

2. Wide of musicians performing, models posing next to Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

3. Visitors taking pictures

4. Wide of models posing with Kia Stinger GT Concept (white) and Kia SP SUV Concept as visitors watch

5. Mid of a model posing next to Kia SP SUV Concept

6. Mid of Mercedes Benz emblem on Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ

7. Wide of model posing next to Mercedes Benz Concept EQ

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 12 February 2018

8. Sign on floor 'Renault Trezor', tilt up to model posing next to concept car

9. Close of steering wheel of Renault Trezor concept car

10. Various of Toyota FCV Plus concept car

11. Close of front of Honda Sports EV concept car

12. Wide of Honda Sports EV concept car (right) and NeuV concept car (left)

13. Pan right from Honda Sports EV to NeuV concept car

14. Visitor taking photos on his phone

15. Door of NeuV concept car opening

16. Mid of NeuV concept car interior

17. Wide of visitors at Honda pavilion

18. Wide of model posing next to Honda Accord Hybrid car, priced at approx. $67,000 USD in India

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"Accord (Hybrid) that we are showcasing here, it's 55 percent more efficient than a normal petrol Accord. So, in these 12 years from now till 2030, we can save a lot of fuel by bringing in these technologies. So, our request to the government also is that let's build up a ten years road map. How do we want to transition towards the EVs (electric vehicles)? So, hybrid is a one good stepping stone, plug in hybrids is another one. So, internationally also if you look at, all countries are talking about 15 percent, 20 percent penetration to 2030 of pure battery electric vehicles because of the inherent battery constraints in terms of technology. But even our own global policy is that by 2030, two third of our cars will be electric vehicles."

20. Wide of Toyota pavilion

21. Various of Toyota's Prius PHV plug-in hybrid

22. Various of Renault Zoe E- Sports concept car

23. Close of visitor taking pictures on phone

24. Pan left from visitors to electric motor of Renault Zoe

25. Mid of electric motor

26. Close of charging point

27. Various of Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Rakesh Sidana, Operating Head, Marketing and Strategy, Honda Cars India Limited:

"There is a very high price sensitivity in this market, but there is also a very high value consciousness. So, if we talk about our products, most of our products are selling in the top grades, which shows that if you give value to the customer he is willing to lap it up. And India being a younger nation, so the capacity to spend more is there if you give him the right value. So, we don't see a challenge in terms of pricing, we see a challenge of very high value of equation to be given to the customer and that's what our endeavour has been."

29. Pan left of visitors looking at cars at Hyundai pavilion

30. Close of Hyundai's electric car, Ioniq, being charged

31. Various of visitors looking at car

32. Tracking shot of Hyundai Ioniq

33. Various of Ioniq interior

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Puneet Anand, Senior General Manager and Group Head, Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Limited:

"Fossil fuels and the import cost of all these fossil fuels will become challeng(ing) at a later stage of time. So, we want to give very clean mobility solutions to every people. And with every manufacturer coming in with the technology, the affordability of this electric car technology will also increase. In fact, when we talk of alternative fuels there is electric car, there is a hybrid car, there is a plug-in hybrid, and we also have a technology called the fuel cell electric vehicle. So, we have everything ready for the future and we want everybody to be a partner to that."

35. Close of dancers performing at Hyundai pavilion

36. Wide of Hyundai pavilion