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

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4038307

LEAD IN:

Hybrid and electric cars are now more popular than diesel variants, at the 2016 Busan Motor Show in South Korea.

25 different brands are displaying more than 230 of the latest models, including South Korea's first electric based autonomous car.

STORY-LINE

Future Wave, Inspiring Technology is the theme at this year's Busan Motor Show.

Car makers at this year's event in South Korea have embraced the challenge, and are showing off their future-oriented, high-performance, eco-friendly cars.

Kia, one of South Korea's top car makers, is introducing the K5 PHEV – its first plug-in hybrid attracting commuters with impressive fuel economy figures.

"Compared to hybrid cars, (K5 PHEV) has a financial benefit (of saving) about five million won (USD 4,200) when driving for three years. Compare to general petrol cars, you can enjoy saving about 8.5 million won (USD 7,157) over three years. So I think (K5 PHEV) is the model which has a dominant position in the economic side and reaches its peak in the technical side of medium sized sedan," says Seo Bowon, Director of Domestic Marketing Group of Kia Motors Coporation.

The K5 PHEV is equipped with 9.8kWh mass storage battery, 50kW motor and 2.0 GDI engine, and it can run in either electric or hybrid mode.

A fully-charged K5 PHEV can drive up to 44 km (27.3 miles) in the electric drive mode. Since city commuters drive 30 to 40km one-way on average, drivers of K5 PHEV can commute by charging it twice a day on average.

Getting a step closer to achieving the industry objective of making completely driverless roads, Kia is also showcasing a fully autonomous car Soul EV, South Korea's first electric based autonomous car.

"What Kia pursues is that putting safety first and then increasing the rate of automation by improving the ADAS. ADAS is the system that analyzes the driving conditions optimally by considering not only the driver's safety but also the passenger and other vehicle's and assists driving when the driver needs. (Kia) pursues the technical development which never gives up the driving pleasure," says Park Dong-il, SeniorVice President of Electronics Technology Centre of Hyundai-Kia Motors Group.

Besides electric cars, there's also a hydrogen-fuelled car presented as a futuristic green vehicle at the exhibition.

Toyota introduces Mirai in South Korea for the first time. Equipped with a motor that runs by electricity generated from a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in air, Mirai features its strength of no emission of green-house gases and environmental pollution.

"Through applying the Fuel Cell(FC) system that is combined of the hybrid technology and the fuel cell technology which consists of new Toyota FC stacks and high-pressure hydrogen tanks that Toyota has self-developed, the energy efficiency is very high compared to the existing internal combustion engine. Also (Mirai FCV) realises remarkable environment friendly that does not emit carbon dioxide or environmental pollutant and it can run for 650 kilometres by three minutes of hydrogen refueling," says Kang Dae Hwan, Director of Korea Toyota operation.

With the slogan "From Smart Hyrid to Smart Future," Toyota is displaying eight eco-friendly models including Mirai, Toyota i-Road, 4th Generation Prius and RAV4 Hybrid.

Among the eight cars that are introduced to the industry for the first time at the 2016 Busan Motor Show, is Hyundai's premium brand Genesis's G80 and G80.

This is Genesis's second model since the brand was launched. The G80 is a face-lift model of Hyundai's Genesis sedan (a luxury sedan model of Hyundai that has been selling under the brand Hyundai before the company launched an independent premium brand Genesis).

G80 maintains the majority of the design of the Genesis model but is added with more volume and luxury.

Equipped with an improved 3.3 litre/3.8 litre petrol engine and eight-speed transmission, G80 features driving capacity and fuel efficiency that are raised to a higher level compared to the exisitng Genesis model.

"It's not only about products. Obviously, that is the core of our activities making fascinating products.So the G series, as you have just mentioned, we are starting with the G90, today you have now the premiere of G80 and there will be also following as you might know G70 and other vehicle and we have a very, very clear target and focus on entering into this luxury market and being a true competitor at there," says Manfred Fitzgerald, Executive director of Genesis strategy.

Genesis plans to throw a hat in the luxury car market with G80 and compete with luxury sedans such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E class.

The 2016 Busan Motor Show opens to the public 3-12 June.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4038307

LEAD IN:

Hybrid and electric cars are now more popular than diesel variants, at the 2016 Busan Motor Show in South Korea.

25 different brands are displaying more than 230 of the latest models, including South Korea's first electric based autonomous car.

STORY-LINE

Future Wave, Inspiring Technology is the theme at this year's Busan Motor Show.

Car makers at this year's event in South Korea have embraced the challenge, and are showing off their future-oriented, high-performance, eco-friendly cars.

Kia, one of South Korea's top car makers, is introducing the K5 PHEV – its first plug-in hybrid attracting commuters with impressive fuel economy figures.

"Compared to hybrid cars, (K5 PHEV) has a financial benefit (of saving) about five million won (USD 4,200) when driving for three years. Compare to general petrol cars, you can enjoy saving about 8.5 million won (USD 7,157) over three years. So I think (K5 PHEV) is the model which has a dominant position in the economic side and reaches its peak in the technical side of medium sized sedan," says Seo Bowon, Director of Domestic Marketing Group of Kia Motors Coporation.

The K5 PHEV is equipped with 9.8kWh mass storage battery, 50kW motor and 2.0 GDI engine, and it can run in either electric or hybrid mode.

A fully-charged K5 PHEV can drive up to 44 km (27.3 miles) in the electric drive mode. Since city commuters drive 30 to 40km one-way on average, drivers of K5 PHEV can commute by charging it twice a day on average.

Getting a step closer to achieving the industry objective of making completely driverless roads, Kia is also showcasing a fully autonomous car Soul EV, South Korea's first electric based autonomous car.

"What Kia pursues is that putting safety first and then increasing the rate of automation by improving the ADAS. ADAS is the system that analyzes the driving conditions optimally by considering not only the driver's safety but also the passenger and other vehicle's and assists driving when the driver needs. (Kia) pursues the technical development which never gives up the driving pleasure," says Park Dong-il, SeniorVice President of Electronics Technology Centre of Hyundai-Kia Motors Group.

Besides electric cars, there's also a hydrogen-fuelled car presented as a futuristic green vehicle at the exhibition.

Toyota introduces Mirai in South Korea for the first time. Equipped with a motor that runs by electricity generated from a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in air, Mirai features its strength of no emission of green-house gases and environmental pollution.

"Through applying the Fuel Cell(FC) system that is combined of the hybrid technology and the fuel cell technology which consists of new Toyota FC stacks and high-pressure hydrogen tanks that Toyota has self-developed, the energy efficiency is very high compared to the existing internal combustion engine. Also (Mirai FCV) realises remarkable environment friendly that does not emit carbon dioxide or environmental pollutant and it can run for 650 kilometres by three minutes of hydrogen refueling," says Kang Dae Hwan, Director of Korea Toyota operation.

With the slogan "From Smart Hyrid to Smart Future," Toyota is displaying eight eco-friendly models including Mirai, Toyota i-Road, 4th Generation Prius and RAV4 Hybrid.

Among the eight cars that are introduced to the industry for the first time at the 2016 Busan Motor Show, is Hyundai's premium brand Genesis's G80 and G80.

This is Genesis's second model since the brand was launched. The G80 is a face-lift model of Hyundai's Genesis sedan (a luxury sedan model of Hyundai that has been selling under the brand Hyundai before the company launched an independent premium brand Genesis).

G80 maintains the majority of the design of the Genesis model but is added with more volume and luxury.

Equipped with an improved 3.3 litre/3.8 litre petrol engine and eight-speed transmission, G80 features driving capacity and fuel efficiency that are raised to a higher level compared to the exisitng Genesis model.

"It's not only about products. Obviously, that is the core of our activities making fascinating products.So the G series, as you have just mentioned, we are starting with the G90, today you have now the premiere of G80 and there will be also following as you might know G70 and other vehicle and we have a very, very clear target and focus on entering into this luxury market and being a true competitor at there," says Manfred Fitzgerald, Executive director of Genesis strategy.

Genesis plans to throw a hat in the luxury car market with G80 and compete with luxury sedans such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E class.

The 2016 Busan Motor Show opens to the public 3-12 June.

AP Television

Busan, South Korea - 2 June, 2016

1. Pan right and pull of Kia's K7 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) driving onto the stage for its world premiere

2. Pan from the bonnet of K5 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the body

3. Wide of K7 HEV and K5 PHEV

4. Wide of K5 PHEV on the stage

5. Close Tilt down from 'KIA' emblem on K5 PHEV to 'K5 Plug-in hybrid'

6. Rear side view of K5 PHEV

7. Close of 'ECO plug-in' sign on K5 PHEV

8. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Seo Bowon, Director of Domestic Marketing Group of Kia Motors Corporation:

"Compared to hybrid cars, (K5 PHEV) has a financial benefit (of saving) about five million Won (USD 4,200) when driving for three years. Compare to general petrol cars, you can enjoy saving about 8.5 million Won (USD 7,157) over three years. So I think (K5 PHEV) is the model which has a dominant position in the economic side and reaches its peak in the technical side of a medium sized sedan."

9. Wide of Autonomous Vehicle Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) which is based on the first Korean electric car self-driving to the stage

10. Close of empty diver's seat of Autonomous Vehicle Soul EV

11. Wide of Autonomous Vehicle Soul EV arriving to the stage

12. Pan right of Senior Vice President of Electronics Technology Centre of Hyundai Motor Group Park Dong-il getting out of Autonomous Vehicle Soul EV and walking to the stage

13. Wide of Park presenting 'Improved ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Sysyems)' which includes Highway driving information system, Remote smart control system and Anti-collision system

14. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Park Dong-il, Senior Vice President of Electronics Technology Centre of Hyundai-Kia Motor Group:

"What Kia pursues is putting safety first and then increasing the rate of automation by improving the ADAS. ADAS is the system that analyzes the driving conditions optimally by considering not only the driver's safety but also the passenger and other vehicles and assists driving when the driver needs. (Kia) pursues the technical development which never gives up the driving pleasure. "

15. Wide of Toyota's first mass production type of hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) Mirai being unveiled to the press, which is a Korean premier

16. Close of 'Mirai' sign on the front of Mirai FCV

17. Mid of Mirai FCV on the stage

18. Wide of Mirai FCV on the stage

19. Wide of CEO of Korea Toyota Motor Yoshida Akihisa with Mirai FCV on the stage

20. Front three quarters view of Mirai FCV

21. Close of 'FUELCELL' on Mirai FCV

22. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Kang Dae Hwan, Director of Korea Toyota operation:

"Through applying the Fuel Cell (FC) system that is combined of the hybrid technology and the fuel cell technology, which consists of new Toyota FC stacks and high-pressure hydrogen tanks that Toyota has self-developed, the energy efficiency is very high compared to the existing internal combustion engine. Also (Mirai FCV) realises remarkably environmentally friendly (driving) that does not emit carbon dioxide or environmental pollutants, and it can run for 650 kilometres on three minutes of hydrogen refuelling."

23. Wide of Genesis's second model of large sedan G80 and G80 Sport being disclosed to the press which is a world premiere

24. Pan from G80 to G80 Sport on the stage

25. Wide of executive director of Genesis strategy Manfred Fitzgerald and Head of Genesis design Luc Donckerwolke presenting on the stage

26. Tilt up from the front of G80 to the body

27. Front three quarters of G80

28. Pan right from the front of G80 to the body

29. Close of the driver's seat of G80

30. Various details inside G80

31. Rear view of G80

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Manfred Fitzgerald, executive director of Genesis strategy

"It's not only about products. Obviously, that is the core of our activities making fascinating products. So the G series, as you have just mentioned, we are starting with the G90, today you have now the premiere of the G80 and there will be also following as you might know the G70 and other vehicles and we have a very, very clear target and focus on entering into this luxury market and being a true competitor at there."

33. Close of Genesis emblem on G80 Sport

34. G80 Sport on the stage

35. Front of G80 Sport

36. Close of 'G80 Sport' badge on the back of G80 Sport

37. Pan right from the back to the side of G80 Sport

38. Various of Genesis exhibition hall

39. Mid of Mini Convertible at Mini cooper exhibition hall

40. Wide of Busan motor exhibition hall

LENGTH: 5:05

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 :

Car designers are unveiling some unusual and futuristic designs at the Paris Motor Show in a bid to test market reaction.

Among them is a vehicle that has airless tyres.

STORYLINE:

Once every two years, car manufacturers roll into the Paris Motor Show ready to launch their latest four-wheeled designs on the world stage.

From luxurious motors to sporty hatchbacks and concept cars, manufacturers are displaying their vision of the future of motoring.

This beachy looking buggy is called America, a buggy cross over made by Venturi Automobiles, and a 100% electrical vehicle.

Small SUVs, also known as crossovers, are the fastest-growing segment of the market in the U.S. while in Europe sales are expected to grow 40 percent this year after doubling in 2014 according to IHS Automotive.

Nicolas Mauduit, Chief Technical Officer at Venturi Automobiles says they were searching for a unique design.

"We try to propose always new things. We try to achieve niche markets with exclusive customers, so that is (why) we are looking for something different, we think different and propose something we think could be cool to use."

For some 370,000 euros (463,770 US Dollar) (without VAT) wealthy customers with style can purchase 407 HP electric car to take out for a drive on sunny days and stay in a range of 250km provided by the 53kWh Lithium ion battery.

Mauduit says the vehicle is both eco-friendly and boasts good acceleration.

"It is 100% electric vehicle, so it's a battery (equipped) vehicle with two motors at the back linked to the gearbox with two speeds. Two speeds are made to make a very good acceleration. 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and 0 - 200 km/h in 14 seconds, which is not so bad."

Another concept vehicle testing the water at the Paris Motor Show is MINI's new Superleggera Vision.

It's a collaborative venture between MINI and Italian design and body manufacturing specialists Touring Superleggera.

It's a compact roadster which - according to the manufacturers - focuses on the essentials, those being driving fun and aesthetic appeal.

The Superleggera is said to be a modern interpretation of a class open-top two-seater, combining British style and Italian flair with LED lights, chromed bars, smooth lines and colours.

Sam Livingstone, an automotive design specialist, says it is an interesting combination.

"I mean it's a fascinating car� this mash-up of being an Italian design house crashing into a sort of a very rationalist British brand. It's all about functionality, a very egalitarian brand with handmade Italian thing so the way those two things fuses� kind of a make this strange bastard (illegitimate) child. I think it works, it's a very lovely thing and it's one of the statements of Mini, it shows the boundary of the envelope of what they can do."

There are also several wacky looking personal mobility vehicles on show.

Toyota presented its improved version of i-Road, an ultra compact three wheels vehicle with a look of half car, half scooter.

The Japanese car manufacturer will by the end of the year start a three year test of integration of its electrical vehicle to public transportation in Grenoble, a mid-sized town in south-eastern France.

The vehicle that offers a range of 50km with a speed of 45 km/h, before you have to spend another three-hours recharging it.

"What we are doing in Grenoble is experimenting these very small personal mobility electric vehicles in connection with public transport system. We call it multi-modality transport and we think this is a future of cities in the world," says Jean-Yves Jault, a General Manager of Corporate Communication at Toyota.

Toyota's Coms concept car also appeared at Bridgestone's stand sporting the latest technology tyres, free air tyres that are designed to reduce CO2 emissions and all hassles linked to tyre maintenance.

"It is a tyre made of three parts, it's two circles which are stick to each other, the interior is (made) of plastic resin and on the top of the circle (wheel) comes a kind of a tyre patron in rubber. So in other words, there is no air in the tyre." explains Gert Meylemans, Executive Manager of Corporate Communication at Bridgestone.

" What we see today, one of the biggest problems is that the people just forget to take care of their cars, to check tyre pressure and check tyre trap depth. So that, in the future� one day it won't be necessary anymore with this kind of concept," he adds.

4H, an exclusively electric car manufacturer from Eastern France, are presenting what is perhaps the quirkiest concept car on show.

Based on Suzuki Jimmny platform, 4H is testing the market trying to see if a mix of two seater in a row - buggy - 4X4 - retro - style car would win plaudits.

"For the moment, we are just testing the reaction of the public and we don't want to go as far as designing a fully electric vehicle but if reactions are really positive we may consider making a small production run and, of course, using electric engines," says Thomas Maitre, R&D engineer at 4H Automobiles.

Car shows are the perfect place for manfacturer's to test market reaction to their most futuristic designs says Jason Stein, editor of Automotive news, a US based auto news magazine.

"Autoshows are always great proofing ground, a bit of an incubation lab for car companies to flow out the ideas that could possibly be the next best thing. And let's face it, the car companies are working five to ten years out with cool gadgets, cool gizmos that they can then apply to some of their technology of mainstream vehicles. So it's a testing ground, it's a bit of a litmus test for the public to see if there is some attraction to some of those quirky things. But on the whole, this is a breathing ground for innovation; this is where the industry really comes together to innovate and create some new and exciting products".

One concept that will soon transfer to the road is MINI's new five door version which debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

The sporty feel and identity of the popular little car has been retained, but with a little more space this design is more suitable for families.

A third rear seat means more leg room, and also increased headroom are some advantages that MINI will use to attract new clients.

Starting at 18,300 euros (22,907 US Dollars) , the new 5 door MINI and dozens of other new designs can be seen at Paris Motor Show until October 19th.

AP TELEVISION

Paris, October 3rd 2014

1. Vide of America, buggy cross over made by Venturi Automobiles, 100% electrical vehicle, 400hp

2. Wide tilt up of America, by Venturi Automobiles

3. Mid of America, front side

4. Wide rear view of America, by Venturi Automobiles

5. Wide tracking setup shot of Nicolas Mauduit, Chief Technical Officer at Venturi Automobiles

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Mauduit, Chief Technical Officer at Venturi Automobiles :

"We try to propose always new things. We try to achieve niche markets, with exclusive customers, so that's what we are looking for ,something different, we think different and propose something we think could be cool to use."

7. Min of America's dashboard

8. Close up left pan of vehicle commands

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Mauduit, Chief Technical Officer at Venturi Automobiles :

"It is 100% electric vehicle, so it's a battery vehicle with two motors at the back linked to the gearbox with two speeds. The two speeds are made to make a very good acceleration. 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and 0 - 200 km/h power in 14 seconds, which is not so bad."

10. Wide undershot of America, by Venturi Automobiles

11. Wide tilt up from America, by Venturi Automobiles to woman

12. Wide of Mini's electrical concept car 'Superleggera'

13. Wide front view of Mini Superleggera

14. Close up of Mini Superleggera front grill

15. Mid rear view of Mini Superleggera

16. Wide rear view of Mini Superleggera

17. Close up of rear stop light

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Livingstone, automotive design specialist, commenting Mini Superleggera concept car :

"I mean it's a fascinating car� this mash-up of being an Italian design house crashing into a sort of a very rationalist British brand. It's all about functionality, a very egalitarian brand with handmade Italian thing so the way those two things fuses� kind of a make this strange bastard (illegitimate) child. I think it works, it's a very lovely thing and it's one of the statements of Mini, it shows the boundary of the envelope of what they can do."

19. Wide left pan, side view of Mini Superleggera

20. Close up of Mini Superleggera's steering wheel

21. Close up of Mini Superleggera's GPS system

22. Wide right pan of Toyota's i-Road urban electrical car, driving on display

23. Mid tracking shot of i-Road

24. Close up of i-Road's front light

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Yves Jault, General Manager of Corporate Communications at Toyota

"What we are doing in Grenoble is experimenting these very small personal mobility electric vehicles in connection with public transport system. We call it multi-modality of transport and we think this is a future of cities in the world."

26. Wide side view of i-Road by Toyota

27. Mid of man sitting in i-Road

28. Mid of i-Road interior

29. Close up of i-Road's front wheel

30. Wide right pan from exhibit hall alley to Toyota's Coms concept car on Bridgestone's stand

31. Mid undershot of Bridgestone tyres on Toyota's Coms concept car

32. Mid pull focus of Bridgestone free-air tyres

33. Mid setup shot of Gert Meylemans, Executive Manager of Corporate Communication at Bridgestone

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Gert Meylemans, Executive Manager of Corporate Communication at Bridgestone :

"So basically it is a tyre made of three parts, it has two circles which are stick to each other, the interior is plastic resin and on the top of the circle (wheel) comes a kind of a tyre patron in rubber. So in other words, there is no air in the tyre."

35. Close up pull focus of Bridgestone's air-free tyres

36. Wide undershot of Toyota's concept car with new Bridgestone tyres

37. SOUNDBITE (English) Gert Meylemans, Executive Manager of Corporate Communication at Bridgestone :

"What we see today, one of the biggest problems is that the people just forget to take care of their cars, to check tyre pressure and check tyre trap depth. So that, in the future� one day it won't be necessary anymore with this kind of concept."

38. Wide of 4H Automobiles stand

39. Mid tilt up of 4H Concept car, based on Suzuki Jimmny platform

40. Wide side view of 4H Automobiles Concept car

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Maitre, R&D engineer at 4H Automobiles :

"For the moment, we are just testing the reaction of the public and we don't want to go as far as designing a fully electric vehicle but if reactions are really positive we may consider making a small production run and, of course, using electric engines."

42. Mid of 4H Automobiles employee getting in 4H concept car

43. Wide front view of 4H Concept car

44. Wide rear view of 4H Concept car

45. Close up of stop light of 4H Concept car

46. Wide side view of Volkswagen XL Sport concept car

47. Wide undershot of Volkswagen XL Sport concept car

48. Wide undershot of Volkswagen XL Sport concept car, turning on display, rear view

49. Wide undershot of Volkswagen XL Sport concept car, turning on display, front view

50. Wide left pan of Exhibit hall

51. SOUNDBITE (English) Jason Stein, editor Automotive news, US based auto news magazine :

"Autoshows are always great proofing ground, a bit of an incubation lab for car companies to flow out the ideas that could possibly be the next best thing. And let's face it, the car companies are working five to ten years out with cool gadgets, cool gizmos that they can then apply to some of their technology of mainstream vehicles. So it's a testing ground, it's a bit of a litmus test for the public to see if there is some attraction to some of those quirky things. But on the whole, this is a breathing ground for innovation; this is where the industry really comes together to innovate and create some new and exciting products."

Paris, France - October 2, 2014

52. Various of five door Mini

LEAD-IN:

The ongoing Zika virus emergency has forced one Indian auto maker into rebranding a hatchback it was previously planning to call 'Zica'.

A host of international auto makers - including Chevrolet, Toyota and Jaguar - are showcasing concept cars and latest models at the 2016 India Auto Expo.

STORY-LINE:

Kick start your engines, the 2016 India Auto Expo is go.

In Greater Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, both Indian and international car makers are showcasing their latest models, concepts and hybrid variants for expectant crowds.

The Auto Expo is one of the largest motor shows in Asia, attracting thousands of car enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of the latest in automobile innovation.

General Motors brand Chevrolet is showcasing its 'Beat Activ' concept car.

A youthful and perhaps great-valued vehicle should it ever go into production, according to Chevrolet's Tim Mahoney.

"The vehicle in many ways reflects kind of the DNA of Chevrolet," he says.

"It gets really great styling, it's really youthful. I think it has a performance aspect to it because of the soft roader appeal. And also we expect if it were to really go, really great value that it could offer."

Chevrolet is also showcasing its 'Essentia' which it plans to launch in India next year.

Mahoney, Global Chevrolet's chief marketing officer, says India is one of its top ten markets in the world.

The US carmaker plans to bring ten new vehicles to the country in the next five years.

"Chevrolet is sold in 115 markets around the world but India's really in our top ten," he says.

"It's a priority market for us. Lots of potential. And you can see it here our investment in the stand, in the display, the products that we're bringing.

"We plan to bring over the next five years, ten new products to market here in India."

Luxury carmaker Jaguar invited Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif to launch its new sports saloon, the Jaguar XE. It's priced at over $57,000 USD in the Indian market.

A range of luxury cars built to satisfy the county's growing pool of super-rich motoring enthusiasts are also on display, including this Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Range Rover SUV.

The undisputed leader of India's auto market, Maruti Suzuki, is launching its new compact SUV - the Vitara Brezza.

It's powered by a Diesel Direct Injection System (DDiS) engine. Though the vehicle will initially be available in diesel, the company also plans to launch a petrol version.

"The young customer, the third generation customer, who is considering his car as an extension of his personality, he likes to have this kind of aggressive, bold and energetic features, and that kind of stance we have provided in this vehicle," says Randhir Singh Kalsi from Maruti Suzuki India.

Earlier this year, India's Supreme Court continued its ban on registration of certain new diesel vehicles in Delhi until March 31.

That came as bad news for car makers Mercedes, Toyota and General Motors who petitioned against the ban.

With its unique shape and new hybrid engine, concept race car the Toyota TS030 Hybrid is getting lots of attention.

Though hybrid cars aren't popular in the Indian market, the influx of hybrid concepts and engines here suggests there'll be growth in that sector in years to come.

The World Health Organisation recently (1 February 2016) declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, linked to birth defects in the Americas.

The ongoing emergency is even having an impact here at the auto show with India's Tata Motors being forced to rebrand a new hatchback vehicle it was previously planning to call 'Zica'.

Despite being unveiled here at the event with 'Zica' branding, Tata Motors senior official, Girish Wagh, says they plan not to use the name and will announce a new one in the coming weeks.

According to Wagh, Zica is an abbreviation of 'Zippy Car'.

"What we have made is a car which is meant for the youth of the country. It's a very zippy car, very good to drive around in the city, therefore we had named it as Zica," he says.

"However, you know this virus Zika has also come up and is kind of taking a shape of an epidemic so we are taking cognisance of that fact.

"We empathise with all those who have been suffering due to this and taking a call on this. Therefore, we have decided to change the name of the car."

Most cars sold in India have price tags of under $8,000 USD.

But global manufacturers are optimistic.

They say with an expanding middle class and growing urbanisation, there are long term prospects for growth in the Indian market.

Though the motor show opens to the public Friday (5 February), members of the media were invited for an advance press preview.

LEAD-IN:

The ongoing Zika virus emergency has forced one Indian auto maker into rebranding a hatchback it was previously planning to call 'Zica'.

A host of international auto makers - including Chevrolet, Toyota and Jaguar - are showcasing concept cars and latest models at the 2016 India Auto Expo.

STORY-LINE:

Kick start your engines, the 2016 India Auto Expo is go.

In Greater Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, both Indian and international car makers are showcasing their latest models, concepts and hybrid variants for expectant crowds.

The Auto Expo is one of the largest motor shows in Asia, attracting thousands of car enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of the latest in automobile innovation.

General Motors brand Chevrolet is showcasing its 'Beat Activ' concept car.

A youthful and perhaps great-valued vehicle should it ever go into production, according to Chevrolet's Tim Mahoney.

"The vehicle in many ways reflects kind of the DNA of Chevrolet," he says.

"It gets really great styling, it's really youthful. I think it has a performance aspect to it because of the soft roader appeal. And also we expect if it were to really go, really great value that it could offer."

Chevrolet is also showcasing its 'Essentia' which it plans to launch in India next year.

Mahoney, Global Chevrolet's chief marketing officer, says India is one of its top ten markets in the world.

The US carmaker plans to bring ten new vehicles to the country in the next five years.

"Chevrolet is sold in 115 markets around the world but India's really in our top ten," he says.

"It's a priority market for us. Lots of potential. And you can see it here our investment in the stand, in the display, the products that we're bringing.

"We plan to bring over the next five years, ten new products to market here in India."

Luxury carmaker Jaguar invited Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif to launch its new sports saloon, the Jaguar XE. It's priced at over $57,000 USD in the Indian market.

A range of luxury cars built to satisfy the county's growing pool of super-rich motoring enthusiasts are also on display, including this Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Range Rover SUV.

The undisputed leader of India's auto market, Maruti Suzuki, is launching its new compact SUV - the Vitara Brezza.

It's powered by a Diesel Direct Injection System (DDiS) engine. Though the vehicle will initially be available in diesel, the company also plans to launch a petrol version.

"The young customer, the third generation customer, who is considering his car as an extension of his personality, he likes to have this kind of aggressive, bold and energetic features, and that kind of stance we have provided in this vehicle," says Randhir Singh Kalsi from Maruti Suzuki India.

Earlier this year, India's Supreme Court continued its ban on registration of certain new diesel vehicles in Delhi until March 31.

That came as bad news for car makers Mercedes, Toyota and General Motors who petitioned against the ban.

With its unique shape and new hybrid engine, concept race car the Toyota TS030 Hybrid is getting lots of attention.

Though hybrid cars aren't popular in the Indian market, the influx of hybrid concepts and engines here suggests there'll be growth in that sector in years to come.

The World Health Organisation recently (1 February 2016) declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, linked to birth defects in the Americas.

The ongoing emergency is even having an impact here at the auto show with India's Tata Motors being forced to rebrand a new hatchback vehicle it was previously planning to call 'Zica'.

Despite being unveiled here at the event with 'Zica' branding, Tata Motors senior official, Girish Wagh, says they plan not to use the name and will announce a new one in the coming weeks.

According to Wagh, Zica is an abbreviation of 'Zippy Car'.

"What we have made is a car which is meant for the youth of the country. It's a very zippy car, very good to drive around in the city, therefore we had named it as Zica," he says.

"However, you know this virus Zika has also come up and is kind of taking a shape of an epidemic so we are taking cognisance of that fact.

"We empathise with all those who have been suffering due to this and taking a call on this. Therefore, we have decided to change the name of the car."

Most cars sold in India have price tags of under $8,000 USD.

But global manufacturers are optimistic.

They say with an expanding middle class and growing urbanisation, there are long term prospects for growth in the Indian market.

Though the motor show opens to the public Friday (5 February), members of the media were invited for an advance press preview.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India - 3 February 2016

1. Wide of media waiting for unveiling of Chevrolet's concept car 'Beat Activ' at 2016 Auto Expo near New Delhi

2. Wide of unveiling of Chevrolet Beat Activ concept car and photographers taking pictures

3. Various of Chevrolet Beat Activ concept car

4. Various of Chevrolet Beat Activ concept car interior

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer Global Chevrolet and Global General Motors Marketing Operations Leader:

"The vehicle in many ways reflects kind of the DNA of Chevrolet. It gets really great styling, it's really youthful. I think it has a performance aspect to it because of the soft roader appeal. And also we expect if it were to really go, really great value that it could offer."

6. Mid of Chevrolet Essentia on display

7. Various of people sitting in Chevrolet Essentia

8. Various of Chevrolet Corvette on display

9. Various of Chevrolet Trailblazer on display

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer Global Chevrolet and Global General Motors Marketing Operations Leader:

"Chevrolet is sold in 115 markets around the world but India's really in our top ten. It's a priority market for us. Lots of potential. And you can see it here our investment in the stand, in the display, the products that we're bringing. We plan to bring over the next five years, ten new products to market here in India."

11. Wide of Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif launching the Jaguar XE sports saloon

12. Close of Jaguar logo

13. Mid of Katrina Kaif and Jaguar XE sports saloon

14. Various of Range Rover

15. Various of Maruti Suzuki's Vitara Brezza being unveiled at motor show

15. Various of Maruti Suzuki's Vitara Brezza exterior and interior

16. Close of Maruti Suzuki's logo on Vitara Brezza

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Randhir Singh Kalsi, Executive Director Maruti Suzuki India:

"The young customer, the third generation customer, who is considering his car as an extension of his personality, he likes to have this kind of aggressive, bold and energetic features, and that kind of stance we have provided in this vehicle."

18. Pan right of Toyota stand at motor show

19. Close of Toyota TS030 Hybrid on display

20. Wide of motor show floor

21. Wide of Audi Prologue concept on display

22. Wide of Nissan stand

23. Wide of Nissan X-Trail on display with photographers taking pictures of engine

24. Mid of Nissan hybrid engine on display

25. Wide of Nissan X-Trail rear

26. Various of Renault R.S. 01 sports car on display

27. Tilt up to woman posing with Renault Eolab hybrid concept car

28. Close of Renault Eolab wheel

29. Various of Renault Eolab interior and exterior

30. Wide of BMW's R nineT (left) and BMW S 1000 XR (right) on display at BMW stand

31. Tilt down of BMW R nineT

32. Wide of Mahindra's stand at 2016 Auto Expo

33. Wide of visitor standing on modified Mahindra Thar

34. Close of off-road tyres installed on modified Mahindra Thar

35. Wide of unveiling of Tata Motors' Zica and Hexa models

36. Close of Tata Motors' Zica after unveiling

37. Wide of Tata Motors Chairman Cyrus Mistry (left) and Tim Leverton, Head of Tata Engineering and Research Development (right), posing for photographers with recently unveiled Tata Zica

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Girish Wagh, Program Planning and Project Management Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors:

"What we have made is a car which is meant for the youth of the country. It's a very zippy car, very good to drive around in the city, therefore we had named it as Zica. However, you know this virus Zika has also come up and is kind of taking a shape of an epidemic, so we are taking cognisance of that fact. We empathise with all those who have been suffering due to this and taking a call on this. Therefore, we have decided to change the name of the car."

39. Various of 1970 Datson Bluebird 1600 SSS on display at Datsun stand

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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SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot of hybrid car rally outside the Los Angeles Convention Centre

2. Mid shot of hybrid cars lined up outside convention centre

3. Close shot of hybrid car logo

4. Close shot of woman putting sign on hybrid car

5. Close shot of woman in hybrid car, tilt down to close shot of sign

6. Close shot of another sign on hybrid car

7. Tilt down from convention centre to hybrid car.

8. Mid shot of hybrid cars

9. Close shot of sign on windshield.

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Richard Wegner, hybrid car owner:

"Well....economy. I mean absolutely, I mean if you need an incentive that's the best incentive. I mean, the amount that I'm saving in gas on this car, compared to like an SUV (sport utility vehicle), is making the payments. So it's like a car for free."

11. Tilt down from convention centre to Union of Concerned Scientists banner.

12. Close shot of license plate.

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jason Mark, Clean Vehicles Programme director, Union of Concerned Scientists:

"The hybrids are without a doubt here and now and ready to go. Folks are spending a lot of money investing in fuel-cell vehicles, which are sort of what most people agree are the technology to replace the internal combustion engine of today. But the hybrid vehicles are an excellent bridge. They're the technology that for the next couple of decades is really going to get us to that big scale fuel cell future."

14. Wide shot of Honda hybrid car display at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

15. Close shot of Honda hybrid car display sign.

16. Wide shot of Honda fuel cell vehicle.

17. Close shot of Honda fuel cell vehicle.

18. Close shot of Honda fuel cell car display.

19. Mid shot of Toyota Prius hybrid car.

20. Close shot of Toyota Prius engine.

21. Wide shot of Ford display showing PZEV low-emissions vehicle.

22. Close shot of PZEV exhaust pipe.

23. Close shot of PZEV.

24. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jason Mark, Clean Vehicles Programme director, Union of Concerned Scientists:

"The bottom line is that foreign automakers are making the case that not only can you capture market share and be very profitable, you can also bring green technologies to market. Detroit has got to get on board if they're going to be selling cars in this century, later in this century."

25. Mid shot of hybrid car rally.

STORYLINE:

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) says its time for major car makers to build more cars that pollute less and use less fuel.

A new study by the environmental group says US automakers could boost fuel efficiency and cut pollution by using hybrid technologies.

Members of the Union were in Los Angeles Friday, joined by local owners of hybrid cars urging automakers to offer more hybrid models.

They met outside the city's convention center where major auto makers are gathering for the annual Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

Hybrid cars combine a fuel-efficient gas burning engine and an electric motor to power vehicles.

The UCS study says cars and trucks could reach an average fuel efficiency of 60 miles per gallon by the end of the next decade if automakers use the best available hybrid technologies.

Many of the local hybrid car owners on hand for the rally drive some of the first available models of their kind, from Toyota and Honda.

The Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic models at the rally use versions of hybrid engine technology.

The Prius, for example, has an electric motor that takes over for the gas-powered engine at lower speeds. The battery for the electric motor is recharged by the the gas engine.

The cars produce fewer polluting gases and also average between 40 and 50 miles per gallon of gas.

Both Toyota and Honda have been the only car companies selling hybrid cars for several years.

Toyota alone has sold more than 120,000 since it introduced the Prius in 2000.

Honda sells its two-seat Insight and a hybrid version of its four-door Civic, with plans to roll out other hybrid models over the next few years.

Beyond the hybrid concept, Honda is developing a fuel cell car powered by hydrogen.

The Japanese automaker says their FCX model is the first fuel cell car to receive a government certification for commercial use.

And US automakers are starting to pay attention to this small but growing segment of the auto market.

Ford Motor Company has announced plans to launch a hybrid version of its Escape sport utility vehicle next year.

At the LA auto show, Ford also introduced the PZEV concept: a car designed to produce extremely low emissions.

General Motors is also gearing up to produce hybrid powered versions of its sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks.

Chrysler also plans to produce its first hybrid pick-up truck later this year.

But company officials are down playing hybrids, saying they're not a viable long-term commercial alternative.

Jason Mark at the Union of Concerned Scientists says hybrid technology is a viable bridge to fuel-cell powered cars that could some day replace the gas-burning engine.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4058125

LEAD IN:

The future of driving may be here sooner than you think - that's the message at the Paris Motor Show where out-of-this world concept cars reveal the plans of vehicle makers in the coming years.

Among the avant-garde designs is a car seat inspired by a spider's web, and a new breed of electric vehicles.

STORY-LINE:

This is French car maker Renault's new Trezor concept car.

It's an all-electric Grand Tourer concept, delivering zero to 62 miles per hour in under four seconds.

Giving clues to Renault's future electric strategy, Trezor's high-output all-electric power train boasts 260 kW or 350 horse power.

And there's no need to worry about doors - the one-piece clam shell roof opens like a lid.

Renault says this two-seater electric coupe embodies its new design philosophy, which may not be too distant from reality.

"The car will be electric, fully electric, that's clearly the destination because that's the only way to come to zero emissions in use and that's something the industry needs to do to comply and to solve the issues of pollution and CO2 questions," says Eric Feunteun from Renault.

"Second, it's going to be very connected. We've seen today we are paving the way, but we have more to come. And of course, autonomous. And all those three concepts, electric, autonomous and connected will clearly be linked together."

Daimler's new Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept car may look like a far-flung vision of the future, but its makers say it will soon become a reality.

With the design of a sporty SUV coupe, this EQ concept boasts two electric motors with a range of around 500 kilometres.

The 300 kW output allows acceleration to 100 kilometres an hour in under five seconds. Charging is optimised to give enough battery life for 100 kilometres in just five minutes.

Daimler's Dieter Zetsche says it's this kind of technology which will eventually convince drivers to make the jump from combustion engines to all-electric battery power.

"We will be able - based on the progress in technology - to offer that car with a range of more than 500 kilometres practical use with recharging time of less than half an hour and all of that at an affordable price it will be in the range of a good-equipped GLC of our current product line-up," he says.

"And we are convinced with all the additional features this product includes that we really have now the chance, just on a competitive basis, to convince customers to buy these cars versus the cars with combustion engine drive lines."

French brand Citroen is showing off this new CXperience concept car which reveals its ambitions in the upmarket sector.

The saloon with rear-hinged doors gives extra room in this citrus green interior. It's fitted with a plug-in hybrid engine in a bid to combine both performance and efficiency.

That means in the city it can be switched into all-electric mode with a range of around 60 kilometres. But when on the open road the internal combustion engines takes over to deliver 300 brake horse power performance.

"With this concept we want to show that Citroen is able to shave the codes, to overturn the established codes for instance in terms of design, you see that it's a really unique shape," says Richard Meyer from Citroen.

"What we want is that everybody in the street can say; 'Oh, I can see this vehicle, for sure it's a Citroen."

While most automakers here at the Paris Motor Show are looking under the bonnet and incorporating new battery-powered technology, Lexus - Toyota's luxury division - is looking in the cockpit.

The brand's new UX concept features web-like seating in the front.

It's inspired by this Kinetic Seat concept which works to move kinetically with the occupants weight and external forces, this - Lexus claims - helps stabilise head movement caused by the vehicle's motion.

The spider web-inspired design - like an actual spider web - helps disperse the load and closely fit the body shape, meaning a more comfortable experience for long drives.

"The spider web-like pattern like any other spider web in nature the radial strings are responsible to hold the body weight," explains Carlos Gonzalez from Toyota's vehicle engineering development division.

"The perpendicular loading versus the radial strings the closer loops we have in the net, they are responsible for distributing the pressure but also for transmitting the rotational torque that happens in the upper body by having this swing mechanism that we have in the sub frame."

The majority of concept cars at the Paris Motor Show are closer to reality than this Toyota FCV Plus fuel cell vehicle.

That's because car makers are looking into the not too distant future where emission regulations force their hand into producing more battery-powered and greener designs, says Jim Holder from UK-based motoring magazine 'Autocar'.

"Not all the concept cars are electric,but a lot of them are," he says. "The electric movement really is gathering pace, legislation demands that it does and the car makers are starting to see that customers finally are willing to busy electrified cars, whether that's through a hybrid car that combines traditional power train and electrification or full electric, there is a market there now and it's growing and all the manufacturers have to get in on that and sell these cars in order to meet their emissions targets."

The Paris Motor Show opens to the public 1-16 October.

Paris, France - 29 September 2016

1. Wide of Renault Trezor concept car unveil at the Paris Motor Show

2. Various of Renault Trezor concept car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Eric Feunteun, Head of electric program, Renault:

"The car will be electric, fully electric, that's clearly the destination because that's the only way to come to zero emissions in use and that's something the industry needs to do to comply and to solve the issues of pollution and CO2 questions. Second, it's going to be very connected. We've seen today we are paving the way, but we have more to come. And of course, autonomous. And all those three concepts, electric, autonomous and connected will clearly be linked together."

4. Various of Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG:

"We will be able - based on the progress in technology - to offer that car with a range of more than 500 kilometres in practical use with recharging time of less than half an hour and all of that at an affordable price which will be in the range of a good-equipped GLC ( car model) of our current product line-up. And we are convinced with all the additional features this product includes that we really have now the chance, just on a competitive basis, to convince customers to buy these cars versus the cars with combustion engine drive lines."

6. Various of Citroen CXperience concept car

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Meyer, Head of Production Planning and Future Products, Citroen:

"With this concept we want to show that Citroen is able to shave the codes, to overturn the established codes, for instance in terms of design, you see that it's a really unique shape. What we want is that everybody in the street can say; 'Oh, I can see this vehicle, for sure it's a Citroen."

8. Various of Lexus UX concept car

9. Various of webbing-style seats inside Lexus UX concept car

10. Various of Lexus Kinetic Seat concept with spider web-style design

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Gonzalez, Vehicle Engineering Development Division, Toyota:

"The spider web-like pattern like any other spider web in nature, the radial strings are responsible to hold the body weight, the perpendicular loading versus the radial strings. The closer loops that we have in the net, they are responsible for distributing the pressure but also for transmitting the rotational torque that happens in the upper body by having this swing mechanism that we have in the sub frame."

12. Various of Toyota FCV Plus concept car

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Holder, Editorial Director, 'Autocar' Magazine:

"Not all of the concept cars are electric,but a lot of them are. The electric movement really is gathering pace, legislation demands that it does and the car makers are starting to see that customers finally are willing to busy electrified cars, whether that's through a hybrid car that combines traditional power train and electrification or full electric, there is a market there now and it's growing and all the manufacturers have to get in on that and sell these cars in order to meet their emissions targets."

14. Various of Mitsubishi GT-PHEV concept car

15. Wide of Paris Motor Show floor

LEAD IN:

The future of driving may be here sooner than you think - that's the message at the Paris Motor Show where out-of-this world concept cars reveal the plans of vehicle makers in the coming years.

Among the avant-garde designs is a car seat inspired by a spider's web, and a new breed of electric vehicles.

STORY-LINE:

This is French car maker Renault's new Trezor concept car.

It's an all-electric Grand Tourer concept, delivering zero to 62 miles per hour in under four seconds.

Giving clues to Renault's future electric strategy, Trezor's high-output all-electric power train boasts 260 kW or 350 horse power.

And there's no need to worry about doors - the one-piece clam shell roof opens like a lid.

Renault says this two-seater electric coupe embodies its new design philosophy, which may not be too distant from reality.

"The car will be electric, fully electric, that's clearly the destination because that's the only way to come to zero emissions in use and that's something the industry needs to do to comply and to solve the issues of pollution and CO2 questions," says Eric Feunteun from Renault.

"Second, it's going to be very connected. We've seen today we are paving the way, but we have more to come. And of course, autonomous. And all those three concepts, electric, autonomous and connected will clearly be linked together."

Daimler's new Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept car may look like a far-flung vision of the future, but its makers say it will soon become a reality.

With the design of a sporty SUV coupe, this EQ concept boasts two electric motors with a range of around 500 kilometres.

The 300 kW output allows acceleration to 100 kilometres an hour in under five seconds. Charging is optimised to give enough battery life for 100 kilometres in just five minutes.

Daimler's Dieter Zetsche says it's this kind of technology which will eventually convince drivers to make the jump from combustion engines to all-electric battery power.

"We will be able - based on the progress in technology - to offer that car with a range of more than 500 kilometres practical use with recharging time of less than half an hour and all of that at an affordable price it will be in the range of a good-equipped GLC of our current product line-up," he says.

"And we are convinced with all the additional features this product includes that we really have now the chance, just on a competitive basis, to convince customers to buy these cars versus the cars with combustion engine drive lines."

French brand Citroen is showing off this new CXperience concept car which reveals its ambitions in the upmarket sector.

The saloon with rear-hinged doors gives extra room in this citrus green interior. It's fitted with a plug-in hybrid engine in a bid to combine both performance and efficiency.

That means in the city it can be switched into all-electric mode with a range of around 60 kilometres. But when on the open road the internal combustion engines takes over to deliver 300 brake horse power performance.

"With this concept we want to show that Citroen is able to shave the codes, to overturn the established codes for instance in terms of design, you see that it's a really unique shape," says Richard Meyer from Citroen.

"What we want is that everybody in the street can say; 'Oh, I can see this vehicle, for sure it's a Citroen."

While most automakers here at the Paris Motor Show are looking under the bonnet and incorporating new battery-powered technology, Lexus - Toyota's luxury division - is looking in the cockpit.

The brand's new UX concept features web-like seating in the front.

It's inspired by this Kinetic Seat concept which works to move kinetically with the occupants weight and external forces, this - Lexus claims - helps stabilise head movement caused by the vehicle's motion.

The spider web-inspired design - like an actual spider web - helps disperse the load and closely fit the body shape, meaning a more comfortable experience for long drives.

"The spider web-like pattern like any other spider web in nature the radial strings are responsible to hold the body weight," explains Carlos Gonzalez from Toyota's vehicle engineering development division.

"The perpendicular loading versus the radial strings the closer loops we have in the net, they are responsible for distributing the pressure but also for transmitting the rotational torque that happens in the upper body by having this swing mechanism that we have in the sub frame."

The majority of concept cars at the Paris Motor Show are closer to reality than this Toyota FCV Plus fuel cell vehicle.

That's because car makers are looking into the not too distant future where emission regulations force their hand into producing more battery-powered and greener designs, says Jim Holder from UK-based motoring magazine 'Autocar'.

"Not all the concept cars are electric,but a lot of them are," he says. "The electric movement really is gathering pace, legislation demands that it does and the car makers are starting to see that customers finally are willing to busy electrified cars, whether that's through a hybrid car that combines traditional power train and electrification or full electric, there is a market there now and it's growing and all the manufacturers have to get in on that and sell these cars in order to meet their emissions targets."

The Paris Motor Show opens to the public 1-16 October.

Paris, France - 29 September 2016

1. Wide of Renault Trezor concept car unveil at the Paris Motor Show

2. Various of Renault Trezor concept car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Eric Feunteun, Head of electric program, Renault:

"The car will be electric, fully electric, that's clearly the destination because that's the only way to come to zero emissions in use and that's something the industry needs to do to comply and to solve the issues of pollution and CO2 questions. Second, it's going to be very connected. We've seen today we are paving the way, but we have more to come. And of course, autonomous. And all those three concepts, electric, autonomous and connected will clearly be linked together."

4. Various of Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG:

"We will be able - based on the progress in technology - to offer that car with a range of more than 500 kilometres in practical use with recharging time of less than half an hour and all of that at an affordable price which will be in the range of a good-equipped GLC ( car model) of our current product line-up. And we are convinced with all the additional features this product includes that we really have now the chance, just on a competitive basis, to convince customers to buy these cars versus the cars with combustion engine drive lines."

6. Various of Citroen CXperience concept car

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Meyer, Head of Production Planning and Future Products, Citroen:

"With this concept we want to show that Citroen is able to shave the codes, to overturn the established codes, for instance in terms of design, you see that it's a really unique shape. What we want is that everybody in the street can say; 'Oh, I can see this vehicle, for sure it's a Citroen."

8. Various of Lexus UX concept car

9. Various of webbing-style seats inside Lexus UX concept car

10. Various of Lexus Kinetic Seat concept with spider web-style design

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Gonzalez, Vehicle Engineering Development Division, Toyota:

"The spider web-like pattern like any other spider web in nature, the radial strings are responsible to hold the body weight, the perpendicular loading versus the radial strings. The closer loops that we have in the net, they are responsible for distributing the pressure but also for transmitting the rotational torque that happens in the upper body by having this swing mechanism that we have in the sub frame."

12. Various of Toyota FCV Plus concept car

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Holder, Editorial Director, 'Autocar' Magazine:

"Not all of the concept cars are electric,but a lot of them are. The electric movement really is gathering pace, legislation demands that it does and the car makers are starting to see that customers finally are willing to busy electrified cars, whether that's through a hybrid car that combines traditional power train and electrification or full electric, there is a market there now and it's growing and all the manufacturers have to get in on that and sell these cars in order to meet their emissions targets."

14. Various of Mitsubishi GT-PHEV concept car

15. Wide of Paris Motor Show floor

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide pan of showroom floor at 2007 International Auto Show

2. Mid of man lowering movie screen on the Suzuki Flix car

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gene Brown, Vice President of Marketing, Suzuki:

"Well, the basic concept behind Flix is to take the key features of our all new midsize XL-7, our largest, most powerful and most luxurious vehicle we've ever offered, and sort of exaggerate them in a concept vehicle to help get the idea through. And the two key ideas of XL-7 that are accentuated here are very progressive styling of the vehicle, brought to life with a lot of theatre touches like theatre lighting in this vehicle and also our first ever in-vehicle entertainment system. And of course in this case we've taken the entertainment system to a greater extreme with the Flix and a big 50-inch high res (resolution) screen."

4. Tight of Flix sound system

5. Close up of Flix car movie screen

6. Close up of of Flix car projector

7. Pull out from GM logo to dancers dancing around vehicles

8. Medium of dancers dancing around GM vehicles

9. Cut away to close up of photographers

10. Wide pan from audience members throwing balls to stage, UPSOUND (English): "Vote now!"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) David Lyon, General Motors Executive Director of Design for Asia-Pacific:

"And we've done an exercise here in creating GM-Daewoo. It is the 'home room,' we call it, it is the centre for expertise for mini cars for General Motors, and we wanted to look at, and, well maybe if we made small cars, mini cars, more compelling that people would buy it for some other reason than price and fuel economy. They'll buy it because they love the car, because the image is right for them, it has the right mood and character, and they get an inexpensive car with great fuel economy kind of along for the ride.'"

12. Mid of the back of a Toyota Highlander

13. Close up pan of Toyota Highlander logo to logo, reads: "Hybrid Synergy Drive"

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) J.C. Chitwood, Senior Strategic Planner for Toyota Advanced Technologies :

"Well, we'll be introducing, as I said, the hybrid in more and more of our models, and we also believe that hybrid technology can be combined with different fuel sources so whether in the future that's bio diesel or ethanol or fuel cell, that the addition of the Hybrid technology increases the efficiency of whatever you put it with."

15. Pan of show room floor

16. Mid of women working on car engine

17. Wide of showroom floor

18. Wide of exterior of building where show being held

STORYLINE:

With flashy names, bold designs, technological advances and "eco-friendly" rides, the 1,000 cars and trucks at the New York Auto Show 2007 burst onto the scene on Wednesday.

And while fuel efficiency and 'green' cars seemed to be the theme of the day, the coolest thing on the floor was the ultra-extravagant "flix" from Suzuki.

Based on the Suzuki XL-7, the SUV has a clamshell roof that reveals a movie screen. Inside, a complete entertainment system and high-quality sound system completes the package.

Gene Brown, Vice President of Marketing, said Suzuki's 'concept' car is a special-order vehicle, with exaggerated features.

"The two key ideas of XL-7 that are accentuated here are very progressive styling of the vehicle brought to life with a lot of theatre touches like theatre lighting in this vehicle and also our first ever in-vehicle entertainment system. And of course in this case we've taken the entertainment system to a greater extreme with the Flix and a big 50-inch high res (resolution) screen," he said.

General Motors had an entirely different concept in mind with the launch of their triplets: three new models of mini, fuel efficient cars.

Hoping to boost its presence in the ultra-small car market, the company chose the Auto Show to unveil a trio of new Chevrolet mini car concept vehicles designed to grab the attention of young car buyers in urban markets around the world.

The cars, launched with a rock and roll beat and dancers, are called the Beat, a front-wheel drive three-door hatchback powered by a 1.2-litre turbo charged gasoline engine; the Groove, a retro looking front-wheel drive car with a 1-litre diesel engine; and the Trax an 'urban crossover' with an all-wheel-drive system and a 1-litre gas engine.

The cars are not yet in production.

In a novel, interactive move, consumers will have a say in which of those cars eventually hits dealer lots by voting for their favourite model on a GM Web site.

While the vote won't be the final determination on which car is produced, company officials will take it into account when making their decision, they said.

The cars are the first product of what GM is calling its minicar "homeroom," which is a collaboration between GM and Daewoo, as David Lyon, General Motors Executive Director of Design for Asia-Pacific, explained.

"It is the centre for expertise for mini cars for General Motors, and we wanted to look at, well maybe if we created small cars, mini cars, more compelling that people would buy it for some other reason than price and fuel economy. They'll buy it because they love the car, because the image is right for them, it has the right mood and character, and they get an inexpensive car with great fuel economy kind of along for the ride," he said.

GM hopes the vehicles also could give the world's largest automaker a bigger foothold in the growing mini car market, which is largely dominated by the Japanese automakers.

The triplets might sell for as low as 10 thousand US dollars.

GM also hopes the new vehicles will boost Chevrolet's presence as a global brand and plans to market them in urban markets around the world, where mini cars already enjoy greater popularity.

Toyota was also on the floor this year, the tenth anniversary of its hybrid.

"Well, we'll be introducing, as I said, the hybrid in more and more of our models," J.C. Chitwood, Senior Strategic Planner for Toyota Advanced Technologies, explained.

"We also believe that hybrid technology can be combined with different fuel sources so whether in the future that's biodiesel or ethanol or fuel cell, that the addition of the Hybrid technology increases the efficiency of whatever you put it with," she said.

The 2007 New York International Automobile Show opens to the public on Friday, April 6th and runs until April 15th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

SHOTLIST

AP Television

Guangzhou, China, 23 November 2009

1. Wide shot unveiling of Infiniti's new concept car Essence

2. Cutaway of media

3. Wide of Infiniti's new concept car Essence rotating on stage

4. Mid shot of car boot opening, showing a set of Louis Vuitton briefcases

5. Pan of Essence car

6. Mid shot of interior of Essence

7. Close up of steering wheel of Essence

8. Wide top executives of Nissan standing in front of new cars

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Yasuaki Hashimoto, President of Nissan (China) Investment Company Limited:

"This year, China is showing the very big growth, while the other markets like US, Europe, Japan, is just right to maintain the sales volume. But China is showing the significant growth, more than 30 per cent so far, for passenger big growth sales in China. But still the China market has a big potential because China's modernisation has just started. I think China will be the biggest market in the world very soon, and this is a significant potential we see in China, so we have a reason to see China will be the most important strategy market for us."

10. Wide of Infiniti's new car, G37

11. Close up of car sign with number G37

12. Various of G37 car opening its hood with a man sitting in the car

13. Pan across Infiniti exhibition area

14. Close up of Ford logo and Chinese characters reading 'wonderful live'

15. Wide of performers dancing beside a covered car

16. Mid of performers taking off a cloth covering Ford Mondeo

17. Pan of Ford Mondeo

18. Close of front of Ford Mondeo

19. Cutaway of reporters

20. Wide of Nigel Harris speaking on stage

21. Mid of Nigel Harris speaking on the stage

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Nigel Harris, General Manager of Changan Ford Sales Company:

"It seems to be showing signs it is going to continue to grow, and when you start talking about numbers like 15 million units for next year, that make sense. There is an underlying healthiness about the auto market and about how the Chinese consumers behave, they are great savers. So, they don't let you borrow a lot of money, so the net result is they have actually got the liquidity to go out and buy a car. That means when we talk about growth like ten per cent for next year, we're actually pretty confident that can happen."

23. Mid of visitors walking through car show

24. Mid of a Mercedes-Benz car

25. Mid of visitor opening the door of the Mercedes-Benz car

26. Close up of Mercedes-Benz car rotating

27. Wide of the Mercedes-Benz car rotating with print reading 'Blue EFFICIENCY'

28. Wide of Toyota's plug-in hybrid car model HI-CT

29. Close up of plug of the HI-CT

30. Wide front of HI-CT

31. Mid shot visitor taking photo

32. Wide of a white Toyota FT-EV electric car

33. Close up of plug of the Toyota FT-EV electric car

34. Wide of the exhibition area of Geely, Chinese domestic car manufacturer

35. Wide of a BYD AUTO car

36. Mid of the front of the BYD AUTO car

37. Mid of visitors looking at engine

38. Wide shot people walking past cars

AP Television

Hong Kong, 24 November 2009

39. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Lam, Research director at Christfund Securities Limited:

"So they are making very good profits to their parent company, if you compare them making the same sales, making the same number of the vehicle with their country. So, I believe that all the manufactures, they intend to increase their capacity, which is compare their slowing down their own production line in their own country."

AP Television

Guangzhou, China, 23 November 2009

40. Mid of a car rotating with two models standing beside the car

41. Pan from photographers to model posing with car

42. Wide of colourful mini cooper

43. Wide of a BMW car

44. Pan across exhibition

LEAD IN:

China's third-largest auto show kicked off Tuesday (24 November) in the country's southern city of Guangzhou, as more than 600 international car makers gather to showcase their latest models together with their Chinese joint ventures.

Themed as "Technology, Trend and New Life", the annual auto show presents about 70 new models for the first time in China.

STORYLINE:

This is Essence, an electric and petrol hybrid coupe with 600PS engine.

It is Infinity's latest concept car, equipped with a new direct-injection fuel system which, according to Nissan, ensures the engine works more efficiently than before.

In its trunk, briefcases from Louise Vuitton demonstrate the collaboration between the car manufacturer and the luxury brand.

Essence is one of the highlights of this year's auto show in Guangzhou, demonstrating that the Chinese car market is growing strong.

Yasuaki Hashimoto, President of Nissan, says that this year China is showing a very big growth, while the other markets like the US, Europe and Japan are struggling to maintain sales.

"China is showing the significant growth, more than 30 per cent so far, for passenger big growth sales in China. But still the China market has a big potential because China's modernisation has just started. I think China will be the biggest market in the world very soon and this is a significant potential we see in China, so we have a reason to see China will be the most important strategy market for us."

Alongside Essence, another Infinity car got its premiere: the all-new G37 convertible.

Over at Ford - the Changan Ford is being unveiled. It's a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Changan Motors in Chongqing China, celebrates it's upgraded 2010 Ford Mondeo.

The company is confident that the new model's classy appearance and spacious interior can win the hearts of high-end customers.

Ford's EcoBoost engine cutaway is also being showcased for the first time to demonstrate Ford's green technology, which will be introduced in China next year.

The engine's new technology delivers up to 20% better fuel economy and 15% fewer CO2 emissions.

Nigel Harris, General Manager of Changan Ford Sales Company, says the future looks promising for them.

"When you start talking about numbers like 15 million units for next year, that make sense. There is an underlying healthiness about the auto market and about how the Chinese consumers behave, they are great savers. So, they don't let you borrow a lot of money, so the net result is they have actually got the liquidity to go out to buy a car. That means when we talk about growth like ten per cent for next year, we're actually pretty confident that can happen."

Germany luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz showcases three new cars that incorporate its latest Blue Efficiency green technology.

The E-200 and E-260 sedans could save at least 0.15 litre per 100 kilometres in fuel consumption, according to the car maker.

Toyota Motor Corp presents its FT-EV electric car powered by motor and lithium battery.

At the Japanese auto maker's booth the FT-HS sports car is on show. It uses new hybrid technologies. There's also the Hi-CT plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Chinese automobile manufacturers BYD and Geely are also showing their new electric and hybrid cars at the event.

China's auto sales are the world's highest this year.

According to the state-sanctioned China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, sales in October were up by 72 percent from last year to 1.2 million vehicles.

Total sales up until early November are 10.9 million vehicles, compared with 8.6 million in the United States, according to Autodata Corp.

The Chinese government's stimulus policies have included cutting consumption taxes on cars with an engine capacity of 1.6 litres or below to 5 per cent from 10 per cent, and giving subsidies to villagers of up to 5,000 yuan (730$ US Dollars) to buy a small car.

A car analyst in Hong Kong expects these measures will be kept in place over the next year, as the Chinese government has announced to curb carbon emissions.

Thus small displacement engines would be encouraged.

Simon Lam, Research director at Christfund Securities Limited, says the cheap labour costs in China is attracting international manufacturers to expand production there.

"So they are making very good profits to their parent company, if you compare them making the same sales, making the same number of the vehicle with their country. So, I believe that all the manufactures, they intend to increase their capacity, which is compare their slowing down their own production line in their own country."

The Guangzhou auto show ran from 24 to 30 November.

SHOTLIST:

1. Various of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics car

2. Tilt down from Opel and Vauxhall signs to Opel Ampere

3. Zoom in on Opel Ampere

4. Set up of technology analyst from ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club or German Automobile Club)

5. SOUNDBITE: (German) Manfred Gross, Technology Analyst, ADAC :

"At the moment there are a lot of limitations on electric cars. The corresponding battery technology is very expensive, they are limited in their range compared to cars with combustion engines and we can not look at them as an environmental solution for tomorrow. But we are talking about a time frame of ten years and we will see at the car show in ten years time what really happens - if they are practical and if they are in competition to the combustion engines we have today."

6. Wide of Toyota Auris Hybrid being dusted

7. Wide of Toyoto stand

8. Close up of of sign reading "Hybrid Synergy Drive"

9. Close of Toyota Hybrid engine

10. Wide of Mercedes F-cell

11. Close of sign reading "F-Cell - BlueEFFICIENCY"

12. Various of Renault electric concept cars

13. Interior of concept car

14. Wide of motor show

STORYLINE:

Car manufacturers unveiled a range of electric cars and hybrid engines at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, which opened to media on Tuesday.

Companies from Volkswagen AG to Hyundai Motor Co. took part with a particular focus on designs that eschew traditional combustion engines in favour of more environmentally friendly electric motors or a hybrid blend of both.

Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecasts an increase from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011.

New offerings included BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics, a plug-in diesel-electric hybrid, and the Opel Ampere.

Toyota had new models on show including the first plug-in version of Toyota's Prius hybrid, which can have its batteries charged at a household outlet.

Renault displayed several electric concept cars and Mercedes offered up the F-Cell, which sports a fuel cell and an electric motor.

Technology analyst at ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, the German Automobile Club), Manfred Gross, said electric cars are still limited because the technology is expensive.

He added electric vehicles may be comparable to the standard combustion engine in ten years time.

The 63rd Frankfurt Auto Show is scheduled to open to the public on September 17.

SHOTLIST

Istanbul - October 13, 2008

1. Various of high shot of a hall in Auto Show 2008

2. Various of different Audi cars

3. Tilt down to Porsche LeMans 24 vehicle of Porsche from Porsche sign

4. Various of Porsches

5. Sign of Bentley

6. Various of Bentleys

7. Pan of Volkswagen stand

8. Various of VW, EOS convertible

9. Various of New Golf on world premiere

10. SOUNDBITE :(Turkish) Cagri Oztas, Sales Manager, Dogus Oto

"This year we are very much satisfied with our expectations from Auto Show. There is very big interest top our stand. The information we have from the organisers that more than hundred thousand visitors visited our hall on Sunday."

11. Various of Volvo Stand

12. SOUNDBITE :(Turkish) Mert Kalyon, Volvo Car, Turkey

"Half of the cars on our stand are sold after the first three days of the show and we are very happy about this. I can say that we as our brand haven't seen any negative affect of the global economic fluctuation."

13. High shot from Mazda stand

14. Various of Mazda Kazamai - Mazda's concept car

15. Pan from computer screen showing the working principals of Lexus Hybrid to the demo vehicle

16. Visitors around the Lexus Hybrid

17. Wide of Toyota Prius stage

18. Sign of Hybrid Synergy Drive

19. Toyota Prius front look

20. SOUNDBITE :(Turkish) Cenk Diken, Visitor

"It is odd that after these economic crises started in USA and Europe how people still show such big interest to these expensive vehicles and buy them. And I am quite surprised that how those people could pay that much money after all in this economic circumstances."

21. Various of Mercedes Benz stand

22. Various of Land Rover stand

23. SOUNDBITE :(Turkish) Hayrettin Ozturk, Visitor

"There is a reality of economics in Turkey. If you take a look, you will see that the high segment vehicles which are about 150 - 200 thousand Euros (200 - 272 thousand US Dollars) are sold but the vehicles for moderate level for example 30-40 thousand Turkish Lira ( 21 - 29 thousand US Dollars) are still sitting on the bench. This is a very good indication of Turkish economy and the abyss between the reach and poor in Turkey. Rich are really reach and the poor is really poor. There is no level in between."

24. Pan on BMW stand

25. Various of BMW's

26. Pan on Ferrari stage

27. Detail of Ferrari F450

28. Ferrari F450

29. Detail from F450

30. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

LEAD IN :

Despite the economic crisis across the globe, sales representatives at the motor show in Turkey are optimistic about the future.

And it's not the cheaper models that are selling well.

STORYLINE:

From eco cars to the latest high end sports models there's something to suit every budget at the 12th International Auto show Exhibition in Istanbul.

Forty seven brands are showing seventy four new models and around 200 companies.

And despite fears of a slow down in the motor industry, industry insiders remained upbeat.

Cagri Oztas of Dogus Oto, a car dealer which represents Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Skoda and VW in Turkey, says more than 100 thousand visitors came to their hall on Sunday October 12, 2008.

Mert Kalyon, a representative of the Volvo Car Turkey says that they sold half of their cars on the show in the first three days.

Both salesmen say these figures show the global economic crisis has not affected Turkey yet.

However visitor Cenk Diken says he is surprised to see the amount of money some people can pay for a vehicle at a time of widespread economic crises.

Another car fan Hayrettin Ozturk says that success of luxury brands, despite the global economic crisis, shows the disparity between the super wealthy and the incomes of ordinary Turks.

Although Istanbul lacks a range of concept cars because of a conflicting timetable with the recent Paris Auto Show, Mazda were showing off their model called Kazamai.

Many of the vehicles are being promoted as fuel efficient or utilising environmentally friendly energy alternatives to carbon based fuels.

Visitors could also view a selection of environmentally friendly vehicles for every budget.

Toyota Motor Corp was showing off two hybrid cars : the luxury -class Lexus GS450h, which is powered by an electric motor and gasoline engine, or the Prius, for more modest budgets.

Gas-electric hybrids like the Prius deliver better mileage by switching between a gas engine and electric motor, and a plug-in hybrid can travel longer as an electric vehicle, using less gasoline than a regular hybrid.

In August 2008 Toyota lowered its global sales target for 2009 by 700,000 vehicles to 9.7 million, showing that even one of the world's most durable automakers is being hurt by rising material costs, a slowing U.S. market and soaring fuel prices.

The exhibition takes place in an area of 120,000 square meters, and 650 thousand visitors are expected to visit the show.

The International Auto show Exhibition in Istanbul runs from October 10 - October 19, 2008.

LEAD-IN

Iran is playing host to an international car show for the first time in 11 years.

The event in Tehran has drawn manufacturers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

STORY-LINE

This striking yellow Renault sports car is just one of many on show at the Iran Auto Show at the Shahr Aftab International Exhibition Centre in Tehran.

Some 200 car manufacturers and producers of auto spare parts have come together for the event.

Representatives from South Korea, Japan, China, Turkey, France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy and Taiwan are all participating.

French carmaker Renault showcased three electric cars at the show:

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution", explains Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Renalut retailer Negin Khodro.

Iran has reduced import duties for hybrid cars to help combat a major issue with air pollution in big cities.

The significant international presence at the show was clearly helped by the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Sanctions on Tehran were eased in exchange for it limiting its nuclear programme.

Suddenly international car makers started to consider Iran's lucrative car market.

Tehran resident, Morteza Davar says the car industry in Iran has been lacking in competition.

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

Some local car retailers say they are already seeing the benefits of the easing of sanctions.

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal", says Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group.

Shokoohi says the nuclear deal has enabled his company to offer more competitive prices and attract more customers, as direct engagement with car makers has reduced costs.

However he indicates that Iranians still have trouble completing financial transactions, despite the promise to lift the banking sections.

"In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions", he says.

Notably absent from the show were American car makers, which Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh says is unlikely to change anytime soon:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership."

American cars were far more common in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution but are now a rare sight.

However Nematzadeh says Iran is not too concerned about the lack of American car makers at the show:

"Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran", he says.

The Iran Auto Show runs until 18 February 2017.

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

1. Renault Sport RS 01 at Iran Auto Show in Tehran

2. Close of Renault logo

3. Tilt-up of car

4. Couple taking selfie

5. Mid of car with visitors taking photos in the background

6. Man taking photo of car

7. Mid of UK flag on car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

8. Wide of BMW cars

9. Visitors walking around cars

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

10. Close of BMW logo

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

11. Low angle of BMW car

12. Wide of visitors wearing Virtual Reality (VR) headsets

13. Pan of visitors enjoying a VR tour of Renault Koleos driving experience

14. Visitors walking around a car

15. Close of Renault car reading (English) "100% Electric"

16. Man getting into car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

17. Close of charging socket

18. Pan up from engine of Renault Z.E. electric car

19. Close of interior of car being inspected by two men

20. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Negin Khodro (Renault retailer):

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution."

21. Pan up of Twizy, Renault's small electric car

22. Man inside car

23. Tilt-down of front of Twizy car

24. Pan left across MG concept electric car

25. Visitors looking at internal parts of car

26. Wide of concept electric car made by MG

27. Man inside car

28. Various of couple talking inside car

29. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Morteza Davar, Tehran resident:

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

30. Various of women taking selfie in front of a vintage car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

31. Wide of Mitsubishi cars

32. Close of Mitsubishi Motors logo

33. Wide of Mitsubishi Mirage car

34. Women talking by car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

35. Wide of row of cars

36. Mid of cars and visitors

37. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group:

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal. In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs (letters of credit) are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions."

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

38. Man looking into Peugeot vehicle

39. Close of Volvo logo

40. Mid of Volvo car

41. Visitors looking at car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

42. Pan down to front light of car made by DS Automobile

43. Visitors testing out car

44. Visitors gathered around car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

45. Mid of DS 3 car

46. Close of DS 3 car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

47. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce speaking to reporters

48. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership. Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran."

49.Wide of car show

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

50. Mid of Optima car by KIA motors

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

51. Woman sitting inside car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

52. Visitors testing car

53. Mid of Toyota C-HR

54. Close of Toyota logo

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

55. Rear shot of Toyota C-HR

56. Woman taking to men, pan to car light

57. Woman talking to man

58. Rear shot of car

This striking yellow Renault sports car is just one of many on show at the Iran Auto Show at the Shahr Aftab International Exhibition Centre in Tehran.

Some 200 car manufacturers and producers of auto spare parts have come together for the event.

Representatives from South Korea, Japan, China, Turkey, France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy and Taiwan are all participating.

French carmaker Renault showcased three electric cars at the show:

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution", explains Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Renalut retailer Negin Khodro.

Iran has reduced import duties for hybrid cars to help combat a major issue with air pollution in big cities.

The significant international presence at the show was clearly helped by the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Sanctions on Tehran were eased in exchange for it limiting its nuclear programme.

Suddenly international car makers started to consider Iran's lucrative car market.

Tehran resident, Morteza Davar says the car industry in Iran has been lacking in competition.

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

Some local car retailers say they are already seeing the benefits of the easing of sanctions.

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal", says Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group.

Shokoohi says the nuclear deal has enabled his company to offer more competitive prices and attract more customers, as direct engagement with car makers has reduced costs.

However he indicates that Iranians still have trouble completing financial transactions, despite the promise to lift the banking sections.

"In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions", he says.

Notably absent from the show were American car makers, which Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh says is unlikely to change anytime soon:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership."

American cars were far more common in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution but are now a rare sight.

However Nematzadeh says Iran is not too concerned about the lack of American car makers at the show:

"Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran", he says.

The Iran Auto Show runs until 18 February 2017.

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

1. Renault Sport RS 01 at Iran Auto Show in Tehran

2. Close of Renault logo

3. Tilt-up of car

4. Couple taking selfie

5. Mid of car with visitors taking photos in the background

6. Man taking photo of car

7. Mid of UK flag on car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

8. Wide of BMW cars

9. Visitors walking around cars

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

10. Close of BMW logo

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

11. Low angle of BMW car

12. Wide of visitors wearing Virtual Reality (VR) headsets

13. Pan of visitors enjoying a VR tour of Renault Koleos driving experience

14. Visitors walking around a car

15. Close of Renault car reading (English) "100% Electric"

16. Man getting into car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

17. Close of charging socket

18. Pan up from engine of Renault Z.E. electric car

19. Close of interior of car being inspected by two men

20. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Negin Khodro (Renault retailer):

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution."

21. Pan up of Twizy, Renault's small electric car

22. Man inside car

23. Tilt-down of front of Twizy car

24. Pan left across MG concept electric car

25. Visitors looking at internal parts of car

26. Wide of concept electric car made by MG

27. Man inside car

28. Various of couple talking inside car

29. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Morteza Davar, Tehran resident:

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

30. Various of women taking selfie in front of a vintage car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

31. Wide of Mitsubishi cars

32. Close of Mitsubishi Motors logo

33. Wide of Mitsubishi Mirage car

34. Women talking by car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

35. Wide of row of cars

36. Mid of cars and visitors

37. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group:

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal. In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs (letters of credit) are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions."

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

38. Man looking into Peugeot vehicle

39. Close of Volvo logo

40. Mid of Volvo car

41. Visitors looking at car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

42. Pan down to front light of car made by DS Automobile

43. Visitors testing out car

44. Visitors gathered around car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

45. Mid of DS 3 car

46. Close of DS 3 car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

47. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce speaking to reporters

48. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership. Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran."

49.Wide of car show

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

50. Mid of Optima car by KIA motors

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

51. Woman sitting inside car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

52. Visitors testing car

53. Mid of Toyota C-HR

54. Close of Toyota logo

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

55. Rear shot of Toyota C-HR

56. Woman taking to men, pan to car light

57. Woman talking to man

58. Rear shot of car

LEAD-IN

Iran is playing host to an international car show for the first time in 11 years.

The event in Tehran has drawn manufacturers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

STORY-LINE

This striking yellow Renault sports car is just one of many on show at the Iran Auto Show at the Shahr Aftab International Exhibition Centre in Tehran.

Some 200 car manufacturers and producers of auto spare parts have come together for the event.

Representatives from South Korea, Japan, China, Turkey, France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy and Taiwan are all participating.

French carmaker Renault showcased three electric cars at the show:

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution", explains Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Renalut retailer Negin Khodro.

Iran has reduced import duties for hybrid cars to help combat a major issue with air pollution in big cities.

The significant international presence at the show was clearly helped by the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Sanctions on Tehran were eased in exchange for it limiting its nuclear programme.

Suddenly international car makers started to consider Iran's lucrative car market.

Tehran resident, Morteza Davar says the car industry in Iran has been lacking in competition.

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

Some local car retailers say they are already seeing the benefits of the easing of sanctions.

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal", says Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group.

Shokoohi says the nuclear deal has enabled his company to offer more competitive prices and attract more customers, as direct engagement with car makers has reduced costs.

However he indicates that Iranians still have trouble completing financial transactions, despite the promise to lift the banking sections.

"In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions", he says.

Notably absent from the show were American car makers, which Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh says is unlikely to change anytime soon:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership."

American cars were far more common in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution but are now a rare sight.

However Nematzadeh says Iran is not too concerned about the lack of American car makers at the show:

"Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran", he says.

The Iran Auto Show runs until 18 February 2017.

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

1. Renault Sport RS 01 at Iran Auto Show in Tehran

2. Close of Renault logo

3. Tilt-up of car

4. Couple taking selfie

5. Mid of car with visitors taking photos in the background

6. Man taking photo of car

7. Mid of UK flag on car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

8. Wide of BMW cars

9. Visitors walking around cars

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

10. Close of BMW logo

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

11. Low angle of BMW car

12. Wide of visitors wearing Virtual Reality (VR) headsets

13. Pan of visitors enjoying a VR tour of Renault Koleos driving experience

14. Visitors walking around a car

15. Close of Renault car reading (English) "100% Electric"

16. Man getting into car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

17. Close of charging socket

18. Pan up from engine of Renault Z.E. electric car

19. Close of interior of car being inspected by two men

20. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Davood Taghizadeh, Head of Marketing and After Sales Services at Negin Khodro (Renault retailer):

"Renault plans to sell the three electric vehicles you see here in coming years if our country makes the necessary structures. It can help reduce air pollution."

21. Pan up of Twizy, Renault's small electric car

22. Man inside car

23. Tilt-down of front of Twizy car

24. Pan left across MG concept electric car

25. Visitors looking at internal parts of car

26. Wide of concept electric car made by MG

27. Man inside car

28. Various of couple talking inside car

29. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Morteza Davar, Tehran resident:

"Very high prices, low quality unfortunately. You have very limited choices, and when you do make a choice you have to accept all the manufacturers' terms. Unlike other countries where the consumer is first, here the manufacturers dictate what they want to customers."

30. Various of women taking selfie in front of a vintage car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

31. Wide of Mitsubishi cars

32. Close of Mitsubishi Motors logo

33. Wide of Mitsubishi Mirage car

34. Women talking by car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

35. Wide of row of cars

36. Mid of cars and visitors

37. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Shokoohi, Head of Marketing at Arian group:

"Many doors were opened, and companies engaged with Iran more easily. We are feeling this with the two brands we represent. They trust us more, and our engagement has increased. They visit the country and provide technical training for our staffers. Consignments are being shipped to Iran more easily, we are seeing all of these after the nuclear deal. In some areas there is still room for progress, for example banking transactions and LCs (letters of credit) are not still on the same level they used to be before the sanctions."

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

38. Man looking into Peugeot vehicle

39. Close of Volvo logo

40. Mid of Volvo car

41. Visitors looking at car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

42. Pan down to front light of car made by DS Automobile

43. Visitors testing out car

44. Visitors gathered around car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

45. Mid of DS 3 car

46. Close of DS 3 car

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

47. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce speaking to reporters

48. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Commerce:

"We are not in touch with American car makers and they are not contacting us. Considering the current situation it is unlikely to start a partnership. Fortunately there are enough car makers around the world, from the east to Europe, and we are working with them. We have recently started cooperating with Japanese, Korean and European car makers to manufacture cars in Iran."

49.Wide of car show

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

50. Mid of Optima car by KIA motors

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

51. Woman sitting inside car

Tehran, Iran - 14 February 2017

52. Visitors testing car

53. Mid of Toyota C-HR

54. Close of Toyota logo

Tehran, Iran - 16 February 2017

55. Rear shot of Toyota C-HR

56. Woman taking to men, pan to car light

57. Woman talking to man

58. Rear shot of car