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

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.

FRANCE CAR SHOW

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION NEWS

RESTRICTIONS: TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 4:05

SHOTLIST:

1. Various exteriors of Paris Auto Show

2. Various interiors of Paris Auto Show

3. Pan down from Dodge stand sign to Dodge car with hostess standing next to it

4. Close up of Dodge hostess

5. Pan down from Venturi stand sign to Venturi Astrolab electro-solar car

6. Pan up from front of Astrolab to wide of Astrolab

7. Various close ups of solar system on Astrolab

8. SOUNDBITE (French) Marianne Hollande, Venturi Automobiles Marketing Manager :

"We are the first in the world to present Astrolab, an electro-solar vehicle. It uses the sunlight to recharge its batteries. It is an inter-urban vehicle with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres (119 miles) and a 110 kilometre (68 mile) autonomy. Right now, it is only a concept car but it will soon be commercialised."

9. Pan down from Landwind stand sign to Landwind X-pedition vehicle

10. Pan of vehicle

11. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Min Li, Asia Auto External Affairs with China :

"The French and German markets being important ones, we would like to start with them before expanding to other world markets."

12. Close up of Landwind brand sign

13. Pan left of Toyota stand

14. Computer monitor in front of Toyota Prius Hybrid

15. Tilt up to Toyota Prius Hybrid cut in half

16. Close up of Prius Hybrid engine

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Colin Hensley, Toyota Europe General manager,:

"In a normal start up situation, you are going to start up in electric mode just with the electric motor driving you, so you pull away silently. When you need some more power as you start to accelerate, gasoline engine would start up as well seamlessly and continuously, you can accelerate on. As you accelerate hard, you then get a combination of power from the gasoline engine, power from the battery driving the electric motor to give you the acceleration and torque that you want."

18. Pan from visitors to Toyota Prius Hybrid

19. Pan from SAAB hostess to SAAB Aero X concept car

20. SOUNDBITE (French) Stephane Huguet, SAAB spokesman :

"When you use petroleum which is a fossil energy stuck in the ground, there is carbon in it, you take this carbon out and transform it and put it in a car and reject it outside. During photosynthesis, plants will absorb a part of it put not everything so you keep on adding CO2 to the atmosphere. When you use ethanol, ethanol is an alcohol made out of beet, sugar cane or wheat fermentation, you take this CO2 out of plants, you transform it and then consume it. And that CO2 taken out of the atmosphere is rejected in the same quantity. So it is a closed circle that does not add CO2 to the atmosphere. That is why we say that in the long run we could reject 75 percent less CO2 than what is used with a fossil energy."

21. Various of SAAB S9-3 Cabriolet Hybrid Biopower concept car

23. Various of SAAB S9-3 Cabriolet Hybrid Biopower engine

25. Visitors in Paris car show

LEAD IN:

Pushing hybrid technology ever further, a number of environmentally friendly vehicles are on display at this year's Paris Auto Show.

STORYLINE:

Motor companies from around the world displayed their 2008 models at the Paris Motor Show.

The Mondial de L'Automobile is expected to showcase more than 60 new designs and concept cars from manufacturers from Detroit to China, and is expected to draw more than a (m) million visitors.

While some vehicle manufacturers stick to tried and tested vehicles and displays, others push the boundaries of technology.

With a greater demand for cleaner cars many manufacturers displayed the latest environmentally friendly designs, including the latest in hybrid technology.

Many hybrid cars incorporate a mixture of technologies such as internal combustion engines, electric motors, battery (electricity) hydrogen and fuel.

And car maker Venturi were in a league of their own with their electro-solar car the Astrolab.

According to Venturi the vehicle can reach a top speed of 120 kilometre per hour (119 miles per hour).

Marianne Hollande from Venturi Automobiles says they are the first company in the world to produce such a car.

It is currently only made-to-order for around Euro92, 000 (US$116, 000).

As well as carmakers from the US and Europe, this years car show also welcomed a number of car manufacturers from China.

On show was the Landwind X-pedition made by JiangLing, the first Chinese car to be sold in Europe.

Asia Auto External Affairs with China spokesperson Min Li says the European market is very important to them.

But along with the less familiar names were household vehicle manufacturers.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid runs on both petrol and an emissions-free electric motor.

Colin Hensley, Toyota's General manager in Europe, explains how the engines work.

While the SAAB Aero X, a fossil free hybrid concept car, has been seen at a number of car shows this year.

Stephane Huguet, SAAB spokesman explains the how the biofuel engine is better for the environment.

SAAB also had it's new S9-3 cabriolet Hybrid Biopower concept car on display.

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