SHOTLIST:

1. Wide of stage showing new concept car and promotional video, AUDIO: music

2. Pan of concept car

3. Wide of stage showing concept car with its door display synching with video

4. Front view of car

5. Wide of Toyota President Akio Toyoda walking onto stage

6. Cutaway of reporters

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

"We thought it would be fun to put a smartphone on four wheels. This idea led to the birth of Fun-Vii."

8. Rear view of concept car

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

"A car must appeal to our emotions. If it's not fun, it's not a car."

10. Presentation of car functions showing car recognising driver as Mr. J Smith and greeting driver

11. Close-up of touch-panel door, driver scrolling through options on panel and selecting Toyota icon which connects car to its closest dealer, UPSOUND (Japanese) concept car saying "We are connecting to your dealer"

12. Wide of car running diagnostics, UPSOUND (Japanese) concept car saying "All diagnostics are clear"

13. Close-up pan of car

14. Wide of Toyoda riding his "winglet", personal transport assistance robot built by Toyota

15. Cutaway of photographers

16. Close-up of Toyoda

17. Wide of Toyoda and concept car

STORYLINE:

Toyota unveiled a futuristic car in Tokyo on Monday - one with an entire side reminiscent of a giant touch-screen phone - to demonstrate how Japan's top automaker is trying to take the lead in technology.

The experimental Fun-Vii - which stands for Fun - Vehicle, interactive, internet - was being shown to the public for the first time.

Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota Motor Corporation, said: "We thought it would be fun to put a smartphone on four wheels. This idea led to the birth of Fun-Vii."

The company said the Fun-Vii was an example of what might be in the works in "20XX", giving no dates.

Like a scene out of a science fiction film, Toyota's presentation showed the Fun-Vii recognising and greeting its driver and running its own diagnostics.

The car works like a personal computer device and allows drivers to connect not only with dealers but with others, either with a tap of a touch-panel door, or through an in-car interface.

Drivers can also change the colour and design of the body which works as a display.

"A car must appeal to our emotions. If it's not fun, it's not a car", Toyoda told reporters at the presentation, which took place at a Toyota amusement-park facility.

Japan's automakers, already battered by years of sales stagnation, was hit by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami, which damaged supply chains in northeastern Japan, and forced them to cut back production.

The industry took yet another beating when it had to halt production due to floods in Thailand.

Toyota's stand is set to be a major attraction for the auto industry at the biannual Tokyo Motor Show, due to open to the public this weekend.

LEAD IN:

Audi, Honda and Toyota are strutting their stuff at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a fleet of new concept vehicles and family SUVs.

Facing up to the SUV craze, Toyota is revamping its much loved Camry and introducing a new gas-electric hybrid.

STORY-LINE:

Unveiling the new 2018 Odyssey at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda say this is the ultimate family car.

Calling its flexible second-row advancements "Magic Slide," the company is promising seats that can easily reconfigure, whether moving forward, together or apart from other seats and rows.

There's also a host of driver-assist technologies that are new to the Odyssey, including those that help keep motorists in their lanes and on the road, avoid collisions and automatically adjust cruise control.

John Mendel, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Company says: "Well as you can see the fifth generation of America's best selling minivan takes Odyssey styling to a new level of sophistication and premium design. Low, wide, improved aerodynamics, a more sharply sculptured body side and a fresh new take on the signature lightning bolt beltline."

The new Odyssey also comes with noise reducing features with a claim from Mendel that is has the "quietest cabin in the class, bar none".

Audi is unveiling two new additions in its line-up at the autoshow.

The A5 Cabriolet is a sporty convertible with a drop top and an aggressive turbo-charged V6 engine, pushing 354 horsepower.

Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America says: "The acoustic roof, of course, folds down in just fifteen seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Faster still is the 354 horsepower turbo-charged engine and of course we'll be bringing the A5 Cab with a 252 horsepower and a 2-litre engine."

The SQ5 is a being marketed as a premium SUV, sporting the same high performance specs as the A5.

Audi is also unveiling a concept version of the Q8 SUV hybrid, which it says will roll out in 2018.

The Q8 is sleek, features a downward sloping front end and has as sporty yet elegant look. The concept was created under the direction of Audi Chief Designer Marc Lichte. Audi officials hope it will attracted a new set of customers to the Audi brand.

America's favourite car, meanwhile is under attack.

If pickup trucks are excluded, the Toyota Camry has been the nation's top-selling vehicle for 15 years.

Now it's in danger of losing its crown - a potential victim of the SUV craze.

And even this much-anticipated revamp may not be enough to keep the competition at bay.

Aiko Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Company says: "We view this as an opportunity to reignite the midsize sedan market. I mean, why should SUVs get all the glory? After all this segment is still one of the largest in the industry."

The revamped Camry gets two all-new engines, a 3.5-litre V6 and a 2.5-litre four, both paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. There's also a gas-electric hybrid version.

All 2018 Camrys come standard with a suite of safety systems that include automatic emergency braking.

Horsepower, gas mileage and price have not been released. The new Kentucky-built Camry will be available late in the summer.

Chinese automaker GAC is unveiling three new concept vehicles. The GS7 - a five seater SUV, the sporty Enspirit and an electric model, the GE3.

The North American International Auto Show runs from January 8-22, 2017.

Detroit, January 9, 2017

++FLASHING LIGHTS++

1. Honda Odyssey reveal

2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Mendel, Executive Vice President, American Honda Motor Company:

"Well as you can see the fifth generation of America's best selling minivan takes Odyssey styling to a new level of sophistication and premium design. Low, wide, improved aerodynamics, a more sharply sculptured body side and a fresh new take on the signature lightning bolt beltline."

3. Various of Odyssey

4. Audi banner

5. Various of A5S5 Cabriolet

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America:

"The acoustic roof, of course, folds down in just fifteen seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Faster still is the 354 horsepower turbo-charged engine and of course we'll be bringing the A5 Cab with a 252 horsepower and a 2-litre engine."

7. Reveal of SQ5 SUV

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America:

"As you can see the SQ5 is a premium SUV that is the perfect blend of performance and functionality. A turbo-charged V6 engine, 354 horsepower, the same engine that's in that stunning S5."

9. Reveal of Audi Q8 concept

10. Various views of Q8 concept

11. Ford F150 presentation on screen

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, The Americas:

"Ladies and gentlemen the new F-150. Even smarter, even tougher and even more capable. With all-new automatic emergency braking, class-exclusive adaptive cruise with stop and go technology. More powerful engines, an all-new diesel and F150s best towing ever."

13. Toyota signage

14. Various Toyota Camry unveil

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Aiko Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Company:

"Between this new XLE and XSE our customers will have two very distinct Camrys to choose from. Sexy and really sexy."

16. Various, Camry XLE

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Aiko Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Company:

"We view this as an opportunity to reignite the midsize sedan market. I mean, why should SUVs get all the glory? After all this segment is still one of the largest in the industry."

18. Toyota logo on Camry

19. GAC opening

20. GAC GS7 unveil

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Fan, Vice President of GAC Engineering:

"The GS7 is a five seater entry-premium SUV that's designed with an impressive stance and focused on providing a comfortable driving experience."

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Fan, Vice President of GAC Engineering:

"The 680 gearbox and the realtime all-wheel drive system ensures the (inaudible) and minimal harshness in all kinds of road conditions."

23. Yu Jun, GAC General Manager on stage

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Yu Jun, GAC General Manager:

"GAC Motors is the first global auto brand in China. We are now building a world-class system for auto manufacturing, ensuring the world class-quality of GAC products."

25. GAC GE3 electric car unveil

26. GAC Enspirit unveil

LEAD IN:

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

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

STORY-LINE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The event runs until 8 November.

LEAD IN:

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

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

STORY-LINE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The event runs until 8 November.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 28 October 2015

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

2. Wide of FCV plus

3. Close of glowing ring on FCV plus

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

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

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

7. Close of Suzuki and Toyoda onstage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. Various of Honda's NSX

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

21. Wide of Nissan Teatro

22. Close of car dashboard

23. Close of dashboard graphics

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

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

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

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

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

28. Pull out of Nissan's "IDS"

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

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

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

31. Pan left from photographer to car

32. Pull focus of Lexus logo

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

34. Close of LF-FC rear

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

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

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

37. Tilt down to Tokyo Motor Show floor

38. Wide of motor show floor

39. Long shot of visitors walking through motor show

LEAD IN:

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

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

STORY-LINE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The event runs until 8 November.

LEAD IN:

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

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

STORY-LINE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The event runs until 8 November.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 28 October 2015

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

2. Wide of FCV plus

3. Close of glowing ring on FCV plus

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

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

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

7. Close of Suzuki and Toyoda onstage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. Various of Honda's NSX

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

21. Wide of Nissan Teatro

22. Close of car dashboard

23. Close of dashboard graphics

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

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

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

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

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

28. Pull out of Nissan's "IDS"

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

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

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

31. Pan left from photographer to car

32. Pull focus of Lexus logo

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

34. Close of LF-FC rear

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

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

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

37. Tilt down to Tokyo Motor Show floor

38. Wide of motor show floor

39. Long shot of visitors walking through motor show

Green cars rolled into the spotlight at the Tokyo auto show on Wednesday as Japan's automakers look to fuel efficient technology to reinvigorate growth after tough times.

The Tokyo Motor Show previewed for media ahead of its opening to the public on Saturday.

The show has been scaling back in recent years, underlining the waning importance of Japan as a global auto market.

Automakers are increasingly looking to China, India and other markets with growth potential more than Japan, which has made competition stiff.

"The time when an automaker could focus only on the vehicle is over. Look at the concept cars here today," said Nissan Motor Co CEO Carlos Ghosn, adding that today's cars should be "viable transport solutions for tomorrow's digitally connected urban societies where smart houses and smart communities support zero emission mobility."

Very few US and European car companies featured at the show, and so, with the Japanese being the stars, the focus was on ecological technology, such as plug-in hybrids and electric cars.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda became emotional as he talked of the the country's tough challenges after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Japanese automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., were forced to scale back production as supply chains in northeastern Japan were damaged.

Toyoda promised that Toyota would "not turn its back" on the earthquake damaged regions, nor on Toyota plants in flood-ravaged Thailand.

"Toyota will work together with people in these regions and aims to be the driving force of their restoration and reconstruction," Toyoda said.

Toyota's display at the motor show featured the plug-in version of its Prius hybrid.

More than 3.4 (m) million Toyota hybrids have been sold worldwide so far, and the company is hoping Prius plug-in sales will reach 60-thousand per year globally.

Nissan Motor Co. had an updated version of its futuristic-looking electric car called Pivo 3, which can automatically drive itself, find parking spaces, and swerve around in almost a complete circle.

Nissan also showed concept cars such as the AC-X plug-in hybrid, EV-STER electric roadster convertible, and a tiny electric car called Micro Commuter Concept.

Honda displayed a portable battery that is small enough to be carried inside electric cars and plug-ins, and even on small electric scooters.

However, even with the green innovations, Koji Endo, auto analyst with Advanced Research Japan, says that Japanese automakers are still struggling.

"The car industry in Japan is still in really big trouble. And many of the car makers including Toyota, Honda - they are struggling in making money," he said.

Tokyo Motor show opens to the public on Saturday 3 December and runs until 11 December.

1. Tracking shot of Nissan "Pivo3", pan to Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company walking onto stage, AUDIO: presentation music

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

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

3. Various of unveiling of the newest plug-in hybrid "Prius PHV", AUDIO: presentation music

4. Wide of President of Toyota Motor Corp, Akio Toyoda, appearing on stage

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

"Through manufacturing, we aim to envision the future together with our communities. Toyota will not turn its back on Tohoku nor Thailand. Rather, Toyota will work together with people in these regions and aims to be the driving force of their restoration and reconstruction."

6. Pull focus of Toyota emblem on car

7. Various of Toyota "FCV-R" (Fuel Cell Vehicle)

8. Cutaway audience

9. Various of Honda's "Micro Commuter Concept" car

10. Set up of auto analyst Koji Endo looking at cars

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

"The car industry in Japan is still in really big trouble. And many of the car makers including Toyota, Honda - they are struggling in making money. Actually Toyota and Honda are not making any money in the automotive division, partly because of the Tohoku earthquake and partly because of the flood situation in Thailand. But more importantly, strong yen, relatively weak economy here, slowing down Chinese market, and the US market is still kind of struggling, so to speak."

12. Logos of various automakers

13. Various of people attending the auto show

LEAD IN:

SUVs are capturing the headlines at this year's New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

Automakers are shoring up gaps in their SUV line-ups and revamping models that are already popular in the hottest-selling segment of the U.S. market.

STORY-LINE:

SUVs hit a record 43 percent of U.S. sales last year at just over 7.3 million, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Leading the way is Toyota with an all-new RAV4 compact SUV, which last year was the most popular vehicle in the U.S. that isn't a truck.

Toyota sold almost 408,000 RAV4 compact SUVs last year, making it the new American family car and the top-selling vehicle in the nation, aside from Detroit's popular big pickups.

In an effort to stay on top, Toyota is revamping the RAV for the 2019 model year.

Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, is particularly excited about the hybrid version.

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid," he says.

Toyota is also rolling out a new, six-speed manual Corolla hatchback.

"Sporty Corollas?" says Hollis.

"Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

Nissan is introducing this redesigned Altima midsize sedan.

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder," says Nissan North America chairman Denis Le Vot.

"This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine."

Lincoln's new midsize SUV, the Aviator, lets drivers ditch their key and instead drive it with a smartphone app.

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key," says Joy Falotico, chief marketing officer at Lincoln Motor Company.

The Aviator is an Explorer-like midsize SUV with three rows of seats to compete in the hot luxury SUV market.

Few details were given, except that it will have a twin-turbo engine of undisclosed size as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

It's set to go on sale sometime next year. The price wasn't disclosed.

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) opens to the public 30 March - 8 April 2018. Press days are on 28 and 29 March.

There are also new SUVs coming from Subaru, Volkswagen, Acura and Cadillac.

New York, US - 28 March 2018

1. Various of new Toyota RAV4 onstage, exterior and interior

2. Setup shot of Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, speaking onstage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid. It's sporty, has more power, and by the way, as you would expect - anticipated class-leading MPG."

4. Wide of new Toyota Corolla on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"So, Corolla hatchback is now lower, wider, longer, which means together with its all-new four-cylinder, two-litre, dynamic shift, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and updated suspension, this Corolla has more than a pinch of sports car soul. Sporty Corollas? Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

6. Various of new Toyota Corolla, exterior and interior

7. Various of new Nissan Altima being unveiled onstage

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Le Vot, Nissan North America Chairman:

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder. This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. It also adapts on-demand to deliver thrilling horsepower or to run with extreme efficiency. Industry engineers have been working on this technology for decades. Nissan is proud to be the first to deliver it."

9. Various of Nissan Altima, exterior and interior

10. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator being unveiled onstage

11. Various of new Lincoln Aviator, exterior and interior shots

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joy Falotico, Chief Marketing Officer, Lincoln Motor Company:

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key. Lincoln's phone is a key technology allows you to unlock, open the trunk, start and drive your Aviator, without a bulky fob in your pocket or purse."

13. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator onstage

LEAD IN:

SUVs are capturing the headlines at this year's New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

Automakers are shoring up gaps in their SUV line-ups and revamping models that are already popular in the hottest-selling segment of the U.S. market.

STORY-LINE:

SUVs hit a record 43 percent of U.S. sales last year at just over 7.3 million, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Leading the way is Toyota with an all-new RAV4 compact SUV, which last year was the most popular vehicle in the U.S. that isn't a truck.

Toyota sold almost 408,000 RAV4 compact SUVs last year, making it the new American family car and the top-selling vehicle in the nation, aside from Detroit's popular big pickups.

In an effort to stay on top, Toyota is revamping the RAV for the 2019 model year.

Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, is particularly excited about the hybrid version.

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid," he says.

Toyota is also rolling out a new, six-speed manual Corolla hatchback.

"Sporty Corollas?" says Hollis.

"Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

Nissan is introducing this redesigned Altima midsize sedan.

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder," says Nissan North America chairman Denis Le Vot.

"This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine."

Lincoln's new midsize SUV, the Aviator, lets drivers ditch their key and instead drive it with a smartphone app.

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key," says Joy Falotico, chief marketing officer at Lincoln Motor Company.

The Aviator is an Explorer-like midsize SUV with three rows of seats to compete in the hot luxury SUV market.

Few details were given, except that it will have a twin-turbo engine of undisclosed size as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

It's set to go on sale sometime next year. The price wasn't disclosed.

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) opens to the public 30 March - 8 April 2018. Press days are on 28 and 29 March.

There are also new SUVs coming from Subaru, Volkswagen, Acura and Cadillac.

New York, US - 28 March 2018

1. Various of new Toyota RAV4 onstage, exterior and interior

2. Setup shot of Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, speaking onstage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid. It's sporty, has more power, and by the way, as you would expect - anticipated class-leading MPG."

4. Wide of new Toyota Corolla on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"So, Corolla hatchback is now lower, wider, longer, which means together with its all-new four-cylinder, two-litre, dynamic shift, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and updated suspension, this Corolla has more than a pinch of sports car soul. Sporty Corollas? Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

6. Various of new Toyota Corolla, exterior and interior

7. Various of new Nissan Altima being unveiled onstage

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Le Vot, Nissan North America Chairman:

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder. This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. It also adapts on-demand to deliver thrilling horsepower or to run with extreme efficiency. Industry engineers have been working on this technology for decades. Nissan is proud to be the first to deliver it."

9. Various of Nissan Altima, exterior and interior

10. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator being unveiled onstage

11. Various of new Lincoln Aviator, exterior and interior shots

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joy Falotico, Chief Marketing Officer, Lincoln Motor Company:

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key. Lincoln's phone is a key technology allows you to unlock, open the trunk, start and drive your Aviator, without a bulky fob in your pocket or purse."

13. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator onstage

LEAD IN:

SUVs are capturing the headlines at this year's New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

Automakers are shoring up gaps in their SUV line-ups and revamping models that are already popular in the hottest-selling segment of the U.S. market.

STORY-LINE:

SUVs hit a record 43 percent of U.S. sales last year at just over 7.3 million, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Leading the way is Toyota with an all-new RAV4 compact SUV, which last year was the most popular vehicle in the U.S. that isn't a truck.

Toyota sold almost 408,000 RAV4 compact SUVs last year, making it the new American family car and the top-selling vehicle in the nation, aside from Detroit's popular big pickups.

In an effort to stay on top, Toyota is revamping the RAV for the 2019 model year.

Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, is particularly excited about the hybrid version.

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid," he says.

Toyota is also rolling out a new, six-speed manual Corolla hatchback.

"Sporty Corollas?" says Hollis.

"Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

Nissan is introducing this redesigned Altima midsize sedan.

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder," says Nissan North America chairman Denis Le Vot.

"This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine."

Lincoln's new midsize SUV, the Aviator, lets drivers ditch their key and instead drive it with a smartphone app.

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key," says Joy Falotico, chief marketing officer at Lincoln Motor Company.

The Aviator is an Explorer-like midsize SUV with three rows of seats to compete in the hot luxury SUV market.

Few details were given, except that it will have a twin-turbo engine of undisclosed size as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

It's set to go on sale sometime next year. The price wasn't disclosed.

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) opens to the public 30 March - 8 April 2018. Press days are on 28 and 29 March.

There are also new SUVs coming from Subaru, Volkswagen, Acura and Cadillac.

New York, US - 28 March 2018

1. Various of new Toyota RAV4 onstage, exterior and interior

2. Setup shot of Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager, speaking onstage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"RAV4 XXEHV is now the quickest across all RAV4 four models. Yes, that's right, the quickest RAV4 is a hybrid. It's sporty, has more power, and by the way, as you would expect - anticipated class-leading MPG."

4. Wide of new Toyota Corolla on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager:

"So, Corolla hatchback is now lower, wider, longer, which means together with its all-new four-cylinder, two-litre, dynamic shift, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and updated suspension, this Corolla has more than a pinch of sports car soul. Sporty Corollas? Yeah, we know a thing or two about them, we also know about feel, that's why hatchback still has a six-speed manual transmission."

6. Various of new Toyota Corolla, exterior and interior

7. Various of new Nissan Altima being unveiled onstage

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Le Vot, Nissan North America Chairman:

"Altima's V6 engine has been replaced with the world's first production VC Turbo four cylinder. This engine generates the performance of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. It also adapts on-demand to deliver thrilling horsepower or to run with extreme efficiency. Industry engineers have been working on this technology for decades. Nissan is proud to be the first to deliver it."

9. Various of Nissan Altima, exterior and interior

10. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator being unveiled onstage

11. Various of new Lincoln Aviator, exterior and interior shots

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joy Falotico, Chief Marketing Officer, Lincoln Motor Company:

"What could be more welcoming than never having to use your key fob? Because now your smartphone is your key. Lincoln's phone is a key technology allows you to unlock, open the trunk, start and drive your Aviator, without a bulky fob in your pocket or purse."

13. Mid of new Lincoln Aviator onstage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - November 30, 2011

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

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

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

4. Pull focus on Nissan's emblem

5. Wide of Pivo 3 on stage

6. Close of Pivo 3 tyres

7. Mid of Pivo 3

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

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

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

10. Close of FCV-R

11. Frontal shot of FCV-R

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

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

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

14. Pull focus of BMW emblem on car

15. Frontal shot of BMW concept sports car

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

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

22. Close of Volkswagen's emblem on car

23. Wide of Volkswagen booth

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

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

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

26. Mid of Honda's Micro Commuter

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

28. Wide of Tokyo Motor Show

29. Wide of logos of various automakers

30. Wide of people attending the auto show

LEADIN:

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

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

LEADIN:

Auto manufacturers are unveiling their latest vehicles at the Beijing Motor Show.

Electric cars are taking centre stage this year - buoyed by their popularity in the Chinese market.

STORYLINE:

The Mercedes Benz C Class L Sedan rolls out at the Beijing Motor Show.

The luxury carmaker is also debuting the  A-Class L Sedan - complete with a dance troupe of selfie-takers.

Both cars are upgraded versions of models that were top-sellers in the China market.

Germany's BMW unveils its new all-electric concept vehicle, the iX3.

Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, tells the audience it will go into production in 2020 and will be made in China.

The car will be made at the automakers' joint venture plant in Shenyang.

There are mounting trade tensions between Beijing and US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods including automobiles in a dispute over technology policy.

The impact on automakers should be small, according to industry analysts, because exports amount to only a few thousand vehicles a year. Those include a GM SUV, the Envision, and Volvo Cars sedans made in China for export to the United States.

But BMW management is optimistic it will be shielded from any negative impact.

"We have a very strong presence in China. We are increasing now capacity beyond 500,000 cars per year," says Nicolas Peter, BMW Board Member for Finance.

"We are in discussion with our joint venture partner to localise even more products and on the other hand side we have a strong footprint in Europe and in the US, so we can be very flexible in this global production network. Of course, we appreciate free trade because we believe that this is beneficial at the end of the day for everyone in the world, but we can react fast to adapt to changes."

The Beijing Motor Show is the world's largest auto show, with car manufacturers unveiling a kaleidoscope of fuel efficient vehicles – in particular electric cars designed for the China market.

China accounted for half of last year's global electric car sales, boosted by subsidies and other prodding from communist leaders who want to make their country a centre for the emerging technology.

"The big theme of the 2018 Beijing Motor Show is the proliferation of SUVs, crossovers and electric vehicles," says Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News.

"Everybody's coming out with some kind of electric vehicle or crossover because they are two main segments of the market here that are really booming. Everybody wants to buy a crossover because it's very popular, and in China everybody has to introduce an EV (electric vehicle) because of government mandates, so there are two forces driving these trends."

First-quarter sales of electrics and gasoline-electric hybrids rose 154 percent over a year earlier to 143,000 units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. That compares with sales of just under 200,000 for all of last year in the United States, the No. 2 market.

China's total sales of SUVs, sedans and minivans reached 24.7 million units last year, compared with 17.2 million for the United States.

SUVs are the industry's cash cow. First-quarter sales rose 11.3 percent over a year earlier to 2.6 million, or almost 45 percent of total auto sales, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Ford is showing its Mondeo Energi plug-in hybrid, its first electric model for China, which went on sale in March. Plans call for Ford and its luxury unit, Lincoln, to release 15 new electrified vehicles by 2025.

"I would say that Chinese customers are at the leading edge of expectations of connectivity with the greater eco-system than any other customers in the world," says Trevor Worthington, Vice President of Product Development at Ford Asia Pacific.

"I think the work we're doing here in China, we know that it's going to serve the rest of the Ford global world well, but it really is all here. The expectation of connectivity, the expectation of navigation, native voice, the expectation of being able to pay bills, being able to organise parking, remotely unlocking or locking the car, remotely starting the car, this vehicle has many, many technology features that work in partnership with that level of connectivity."

Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Toyota has taken the wraps off its new Corolla Plug-in Hybrid and the Levin Plug-in Hybrid, with production also set to be in China to be launched in 2019. Toyota says it plans to introduce 10 new electronic vehicles by 2020.

New but fast-growing Chinese auto makers trail global rivals in traditional gasoline technology but industry analysts say the top Chinese brands are catching up in electrics, a market with no entrenched leaders.

Chery Automobile Co. showed a lineup that included two electric sedans, an SUV and a hatchback, all promising 250 to 400 kilometres (150 to 250 miles) on a charge. They include futuristic features such as internet-linked navigation and smartphone-style dashboard displays.

Chery was China's biggest auto exporter last year, selling 108,000 gasoline-powered vehicles abroad, though mostly in developing markets such as Russia and Egypt.

"I think in China the two biggest challenges are, number one: there is or will be hyper-competition here. There's so many new brands coming online, and the old brands here in China are getting better, so hyper-competition is the rule here," says James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit.

"Number two is how do you, as an automaker, comply with regulations which are actually very hard to meet and potentially changing also. So its's these two issues are hardest for automakers to deal with."

Ford and other brands showed off some of the dozens of electric SUVs, sedans and other models they say are planned for China.

GM plans to launch 10 electrics or hybrids in China by 2020.

VW is due to launch 15 electrics and hybrids in the next two to three years as part of a 10 billion euro ($12 billion) development plan announced in November.

Nissan says it will roll out 20 electrified models in China over the next five years.

The motor show runs until May 4.

Beijing, China - 25 April 2018

1. Tracking shot of Mercedes Benz rollout of C Class L Sedan

2. Close of C Class L Sedan

3. Wide of dancers and rollout of Mercedes Benz A Class L Sedan

4. Close pan of A Class L Sedan

5. Wide tilt down of the Beijing Auto Show

6. Mid of photographer taking picture

7. Wide of BMW cars and media

8. Zoom in of BMW M2 Competition driving out

9. Zoom in of BMW World Premiere of the iX3

10. Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, addressing audience

UPSOUND (English) "The iX3 will be the first all-electric BMW core model and will go into production in 2020. It will be produced in China."

11. Various of BMW iX3 concept car

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Peter, BMW Board Member for Finance:

"We have a very strong presence in China. We are increasing now capacity beyond 500,000 cars per year. We are in discussion with our joint venture partner to localise even more products and on the other hand side we have a strong footprint in Europe and in the US, so we can be very flexible in this global production network. Of course, we appreciate free trade because we believe that this is beneficial at the end of the day for everyone in the world, but we can react fast to adapt to changes."

13. Wide of auto show

14. Various of people looking at BMW cars

15. Wide of Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News

"Well, the big theme of the 2018 Beijing Motor Show is the proliferation of SUVs, crossovers and electric vehicles. That's the big theme, everybody's coming out with some kind of electric vehicle or crossover because they are two main segments of the market here that are really booming. Everybody wants to buy a crossover because it's very popular, and in China everybody has to introduce an EV (electric vehicle) because of government mandates, so there are two forces driving these trends."

17. Various of Ford booth

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Trevor Worthington, Vice President of Product Development at Ford Asia Pacific

"I would say that Chinese customers are at the leading edge of expectations of connectivity with the greater eco-system than any other customers in the world, and I think the work we're doing here in China, we know that it's going to serve the rest of the Ford global world well, but it really is all here. The expectation of connectivity, the expectation of navigation, native voice, the expectation of being able to pay bills, being able to organise parking, remotely unlocking or locking the car, remotely starting the car, this vehicle has many, many technology features that work in partnership with that level of connectivity."

19. Various of Toyota's new Plug-in Corolla being rolled out

20. People taking photos of car

21. Pan of cars on stage

22. Wide of Toyota booth

23. Various of Corolla Toyota

24. Wide of Chinese automaker Chery

25. Mid of Chery car

26. Wide of James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit:

27. SOUNDBITE (English) James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit

"I think in China the two biggest challenges are, number one: there is or will be hyper-competition here. There's so many new brands coming online, and the old brands here in China are getting better, so hyper-competition is the rule here. Number two is how do you, as an automaker, comply with regulations which are actually very hard to meet and potentially changing also. So its's these two issues are hardest for automakers to deal with."

28. Various of cars and visitors

LEADIN:

Auto manufacturers are unveiling their latest vehicles at the Beijing Motor Show.

Electric cars are taking centre stage this year - buoyed by their popularity in the Chinese market.

STORYLINE:

The Mercedes Benz C Class L Sedan rolls out at the Beijing Motor Show.

The luxury carmaker is also debuting the  A-Class L Sedan - complete with a dance troupe of selfie-takers.

Both cars are upgraded versions of models that were top-sellers in the China market.

Germany's BMW unveils its new all-electric concept vehicle, the iX3.

Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, tells the audience it will go into production in 2020 and will be made in China.

The car will be made at the automakers' joint venture plant in Shenyang.

There are mounting trade tensions between Beijing and US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods including automobiles in a dispute over technology policy.

The impact on automakers should be small, according to industry analysts, because exports amount to only a few thousand vehicles a year. Those include a GM SUV, the Envision, and Volvo Cars sedans made in China for export to the United States.

But BMW management is optimistic it will be shielded from any negative impact.

"We have a very strong presence in China. We are increasing now capacity beyond 500,000 cars per year," says Nicolas Peter, BMW Board Member for Finance.

"We are in discussion with our joint venture partner to localise even more products and on the other hand side we have a strong footprint in Europe and in the US, so we can be very flexible in this global production network. Of course, we appreciate free trade because we believe that this is beneficial at the end of the day for everyone in the world, but we can react fast to adapt to changes."

The Beijing Motor Show is the world's largest auto show, with car manufacturers unveiling a kaleidoscope of fuel efficient vehicles – in particular electric cars designed for the China market.

China accounted for half of last year's global electric car sales, boosted by subsidies and other prodding from communist leaders who want to make their country a centre for the emerging technology.

"The big theme of the 2018 Beijing Motor Show is the proliferation of SUVs, crossovers and electric vehicles," says Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News.

"Everybody's coming out with some kind of electric vehicle or crossover because they are two main segments of the market here that are really booming. Everybody wants to buy a crossover because it's very popular, and in China everybody has to introduce an EV (electric vehicle) because of government mandates, so there are two forces driving these trends."

First-quarter sales of electrics and gasoline-electric hybrids rose 154 percent over a year earlier to 143,000 units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. That compares with sales of just under 200,000 for all of last year in the United States, the No. 2 market.

China's total sales of SUVs, sedans and minivans reached 24.7 million units last year, compared with 17.2 million for the United States.

SUVs are the industry's cash cow. First-quarter sales rose 11.3 percent over a year earlier to 2.6 million, or almost 45 percent of total auto sales, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Ford is showing its Mondeo Energi plug-in hybrid, its first electric model for China, which went on sale in March. Plans call for Ford and its luxury unit, Lincoln, to release 15 new electrified vehicles by 2025.

"I would say that Chinese customers are at the leading edge of expectations of connectivity with the greater eco-system than any other customers in the world," says Trevor Worthington, Vice President of Product Development at Ford Asia Pacific.

"I think the work we're doing here in China, we know that it's going to serve the rest of the Ford global world well, but it really is all here. The expectation of connectivity, the expectation of navigation, native voice, the expectation of being able to pay bills, being able to organise parking, remotely unlocking or locking the car, remotely starting the car, this vehicle has many, many technology features that work in partnership with that level of connectivity."

Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Toyota has taken the wraps off its new Corolla Plug-in Hybrid and the Levin Plug-in Hybrid, with production also set to be in China to be launched in 2019. Toyota says it plans to introduce 10 new electronic vehicles by 2020.

New but fast-growing Chinese auto makers trail global rivals in traditional gasoline technology but industry analysts say the top Chinese brands are catching up in electrics, a market with no entrenched leaders.

Chery Automobile Co. showed a lineup that included two electric sedans, an SUV and a hatchback, all promising 250 to 400 kilometres (150 to 250 miles) on a charge. They include futuristic features such as internet-linked navigation and smartphone-style dashboard displays.

Chery was China's biggest auto exporter last year, selling 108,000 gasoline-powered vehicles abroad, though mostly in developing markets such as Russia and Egypt.

"I think in China the two biggest challenges are, number one: there is or will be hyper-competition here. There's so many new brands coming online, and the old brands here in China are getting better, so hyper-competition is the rule here," says James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit.

"Number two is how do you, as an automaker, comply with regulations which are actually very hard to meet and potentially changing also. So its's these two issues are hardest for automakers to deal with."

Ford and other brands showed off some of the dozens of electric SUVs, sedans and other models they say are planned for China.

GM plans to launch 10 electrics or hybrids in China by 2020.

VW is due to launch 15 electrics and hybrids in the next two to three years as part of a 10 billion euro ($12 billion) development plan announced in November.

Nissan says it will roll out 20 electrified models in China over the next five years.

The motor show runs until May 4.

Beijing, China - 25 April 2018

1. Tracking shot of Mercedes Benz rollout of C Class L Sedan

2. Close of C Class L Sedan

3. Wide of dancers and rollout of Mercedes Benz A Class L Sedan

4. Close pan of A Class L Sedan

5. Wide tilt down of the Beijing Auto Show

6. Mid of photographer taking picture

7. Wide of BMW cars and media

8. Zoom in of BMW M2 Competition driving out

9. Zoom in of BMW World Premiere of the iX3

10. Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, addressing audience

UPSOUND (English) "The iX3 will be the first all-electric BMW core model and will go into production in 2020. It will be produced in China."

11. Various of BMW iX3 concept car

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Peter, BMW Board Member for Finance:

"We have a very strong presence in China. We are increasing now capacity beyond 500,000 cars per year. We are in discussion with our joint venture partner to localise even more products and on the other hand side we have a strong footprint in Europe and in the US, so we can be very flexible in this global production network. Of course, we appreciate free trade because we believe that this is beneficial at the end of the day for everyone in the world, but we can react fast to adapt to changes."

13. Wide of auto show

14. Various of people looking at BMW cars

15. Wide of Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greiml, Asia Editor for Automotive News

"Well, the big theme of the 2018 Beijing Motor Show is the proliferation of SUVs, crossovers and electric vehicles. That's the big theme, everybody's coming out with some kind of electric vehicle or crossover because they are two main segments of the market here that are really booming. Everybody wants to buy a crossover because it's very popular, and in China everybody has to introduce an EV (electric vehicle) because of government mandates, so there are two forces driving these trends."

17. Various of Ford booth

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Trevor Worthington, Vice President of Product Development at Ford Asia Pacific

"I would say that Chinese customers are at the leading edge of expectations of connectivity with the greater eco-system than any other customers in the world, and I think the work we're doing here in China, we know that it's going to serve the rest of the Ford global world well, but it really is all here. The expectation of connectivity, the expectation of navigation, native voice, the expectation of being able to pay bills, being able to organise parking, remotely unlocking or locking the car, remotely starting the car, this vehicle has many, many technology features that work in partnership with that level of connectivity."

19. Various of Toyota's new Plug-in Corolla being rolled out

20. People taking photos of car

21. Pan of cars on stage

22. Wide of Toyota booth

23. Various of Corolla Toyota

24. Wide of Chinese automaker Chery

25. Mid of Chery car

26. Wide of James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit:

27. SOUNDBITE (English) James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit

"I think in China the two biggest challenges are, number one: there is or will be hyper-competition here. There's so many new brands coming online, and the old brands here in China are getting better, so hyper-competition is the rule here. Number two is how do you, as an automaker, comply with regulations which are actually very hard to meet and potentially changing also. So its's these two issues are hardest for automakers to deal with."

28. Various of cars and visitors

LEAD IN:

200mph electric supercars and cars that park themselves with just a swish of their owner's wrist are just some of the latest hi-tech motors at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The auto industry is increasingly using the technology show to demonstrate its latest gadgets and advances.

STORY-LINE:

This futuristic looking electric supercar can reach speeds of up to 200mph according to its maker Faraday.

The single-seater Faraday FFZero1 features all of the latest hi-tech gadgetry expected in a car making its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief of Faraday Future says: "This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

For example, a smartphone can be embedded in the steering wheel to give the driver real-time data and can even be used to tune and alter the way the car is set-up.

The FFZero1 is the brainchild of California-based car maker Faraday Future and is strictly a concept for now... and even if it ever does go into production then you're unlikely to ever see one on the road.

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road," says Beermann.

The modular chassis design can be converted to make it longer or shorter - so various configurations can enable more battery packs to be added for greater range.

Although the FFZero1 might be a concept, Faraday is planning to build its first production cars within two years and is already being tipped as a rival for local electric car makers Tesla.

If 200mph supercars are a bit too much for your needs, then Chevrolet's new Bolt might make a more practical electric alternative.

The 2017 production model was also unveiled at CES - which is fast becoming an important platform for car makers to reinforce their technological credentials.

The Bolt is designed as an affordable long-range electric vehicle and the successor to Chevrolet's Volt. Chevrolet claims the Bolt has a range of more than 200 miles.

Josh Tavel, the Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, says: "With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

The Bolt was first introduced as a concept a year ago and production could begin by the end of 2016.

The car could come with an app that will make car sharing easier and also include advanced GPS route mapping which can predict precise range based on driving habits, weather conditions and the number of hills on the planned route.

But is range anxiety and the worry about being an early adopter of a relatively new technology still putting off motorists from going electric in 2016.

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience," says Tavel.

Outside the show hall BMW is demonstrating its self-parking cars.

Ok, so cars parking themselves is nothing new - but this BMW i3 has been fitted with gesture control. Its driver swipes his wrist and the smart watch he is wearing communicates with the car... the car rolls slowly into life and parks itself.

Philipp Reinisch from the BMW Group says: "With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

Volkswagen's old Microbus is getting a major update and could be in a garage near you in around three years.

The company unveiled a futuristic battery-powered concept of the bus called the BUDD-e. VW expects it to be able to go 373 miles (600 kilometres) on a single charge, far longer than electric vehicles today, due to a more efficient battery technology.

Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen says: "It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

The Budd-e has internet connections to smart home devices and can be charged to 80 percent of its battery capacity in about 15 minutes, VW claims.

It also has gesture recognition technology to control the infotainment screen, and the doors can be controlled by voice commands.

VW didn't say in its releases if the new Microbus will actually go into production, but said that the BUDD-e "demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019."

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient," says Diess.

VW says it's likely that the Budd-e will become a production model.

While some auto makers like General Motors will be looking to boost current car sales, companies like Rinspeed will be looking years - perhaps decades - into the future.

The Swiss car makers unveiled a self-driving concept car called 'Etos'.

A total of eight HD exterior cameras visually monitor the vehicle's surroundings, establishing 180-degree panoramic views, virtual exterior mirrors and no blind spots.

Inside, there's a retracting steering wheel which creates added space when in auto-pilot mode, allowing drivers to explore two curved 21.5-inch Ultra HD widescreen monitors or simply read a book.

Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed says: "In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

The Etos comes complete with an on-board DJI drone to snap road selfies during journeys... or even more unusual missions.

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them," says Rinderknecht.

It may seem like science fiction for some, but Rinspeed's Etos concept vehicle may inspire cars of the future.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 6-9 January in Las Vegas and over 3,600 exhibitors are showing off their latest consumer tech products and services.

LEAD IN:

200mph electric supercars and cars that park themselves with just a swish of their owner's wrist are just some of the latest hi-tech motors at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The auto industry is increasingly using the technology show to demonstrate its latest gadgets and advances.

STORY-LINE:

This futuristic looking electric supercar can reach speeds of up to 200mph according to its maker Faraday.

The single-seater Faraday FFZero1 features all of the latest hi-tech gadgetry expected in a car making its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief of Faraday Future says: "This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

For example, a smartphone can be embedded in the steering wheel to give the driver real-time data and can even be used to tune and alter the way the car is set-up.

The FFZero1 is the brainchild of California-based car maker Faraday Future and is strictly a concept for now... and even if it ever does go into production then you're unlikely to ever see one on the road.

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road," says Beermann.

The modular chassis design can be converted to make it longer or shorter - so various configurations can enable more battery packs to be added for greater range.

Although the FFZero1 might be a concept, Faraday is planning to build its first production cars within two years and is already being tipped as a rival for local electric car makers Tesla.

If 200mph supercars are a bit too much for your needs, then Chevrolet's new Bolt might make a more practical electric alternative.

The 2017 production model was also unveiled at CES - which is fast becoming an important platform for car makers to reinforce their technological credentials.

The Bolt is designed as an affordable long-range electric vehicle and the successor to Chevrolet's Volt. Chevrolet claims the Bolt has a range of more than 200 miles.

Josh Tavel, the Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, says: "With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

The Bolt was first introduced as a concept a year ago and production could begin by the end of 2016.

The car could come with an app that will make car sharing easier and also include advanced GPS route mapping which can predict precise range based on driving habits, weather conditions and the number of hills on the planned route.

But is range anxiety and the worry about being an early adopter of a relatively new technology still putting off motorists from going electric in 2016.

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience," says Tavel.

Outside the show hall BMW is demonstrating its self-parking cars.

Ok, so cars parking themselves is nothing new - but this BMW i3 has been fitted with gesture control. Its driver swipes his wrist and the smart watch he is wearing communicates with the car... the car rolls slowly into life and parks itself.

Philipp Reinisch from the BMW Group says: "With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

Volkswagen's old Microbus is getting a major update and could be in a garage near you in around three years.

The company unveiled a futuristic battery-powered concept of the bus called the BUDD-e. VW expects it to be able to go 373 miles (600 kilometres) on a single charge, far longer than electric vehicles today, due to a more efficient battery technology.

Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen says: "It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

The Budd-e has internet connections to smart home devices and can be charged to 80 percent of its battery capacity in about 15 minutes, VW claims.

It also has gesture recognition technology to control the infotainment screen, and the doors can be controlled by voice commands.

VW didn't say in its releases if the new Microbus will actually go into production, but said that the BUDD-e "demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019."

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient," says Diess.

VW says it's likely that the Budd-e will become a production model.

While some auto makers like General Motors will be looking to boost current car sales, companies like Rinspeed will be looking years - perhaps decades - into the future.

The Swiss car makers unveiled a self-driving concept car called 'Etos'.

A total of eight HD exterior cameras visually monitor the vehicle's surroundings, establishing 180-degree panoramic views, virtual exterior mirrors and no blind spots.

Inside, there's a retracting steering wheel which creates added space when in auto-pilot mode, allowing drivers to explore two curved 21.5-inch Ultra HD widescreen monitors or simply read a book.

Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed says: "In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

The Etos comes complete with an on-board DJI drone to snap road selfies during journeys... or even more unusual missions.

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them," says Rinderknecht.

It may seem like science fiction for some, but Rinspeed's Etos concept vehicle may inspire cars of the future.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 6-9 January in Las Vegas and over 3,600 exhibitors are showing off their latest consumer tech products and services.

AP TELEVISION

Las Vegas, US - 4 January 2015

1. Mid of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car

Las Vegas, US - 6 January 2015

2. Various of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car on display at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES)

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief, Faraday Future:

"This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

4. Various of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car on display

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief, Faraday Future:

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road."

6. Mid of Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, driving new Chevrolet Bolt EV

7. Wide of new Chevrolet Bolt EV coming to a stop

8. Various of new Chevrolet Bolt EV

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV:

"With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

10. Various of new Chevrolet Bolt EV

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV:

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience."

12. Mid of BMW employee preparing to park car using gesture control technology

13. Close of BMW employee's hands demonstrating gesture-controlled parking technology with smart watch

14. Various of BMW i3 self-parking

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Philipp Reinisch, BMW Group:

"With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

16. Tilt up as BMW i3 drives away

17. Pull out of sign reading (English): "Think New." at Volkswagen CES booth

18. Various of Volkswagen BUDD-e concept bus on display

19. Setup shot of Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen, talking to media

20. Cutaway of video camera screen

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen:

"It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

22. Various of Volkswagen employee demonstrating BUDD-e gesture control technology

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen:

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient."

24. Wide high shot of CES show floor

25. High shot of CES attendees on show floor

25. Various of Toyota FCV Plus on display

26. Various of Rinspeed 'Etos' concept car on display

27. Various of Rinspeed employee demonstrating retractable steering wheel for autonomous driving

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed:

"In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

29. Various of drone sat on Rinspeed 'Etos' rear

30. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed:

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them."

31. Tilt down to Rinspeed 'Etos' concept car on display

LEAD-IN:

200mph electric supercars and cars that park themselves with just a swish of their owner's wrist are just some of the latest hi-tech motors at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The auto industry is increasingly using the technology show to demonstrate its latest gadgets and advances.

STORY-LINE:

This futuristic looking electric supercar can reach speeds of up to 200mph according to its maker Faraday.

The single-seater Faraday FFZero1 features all of the latest hi-tech gadgetry expected in a car making its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief of Faraday Future says: "This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

For example, a smartphone can be embedded in the steering wheel to give the driver real-time data and can even be used to tune and alter the way the car is set-up.

The FFZero1 is the brainchild of California-based car maker Faraday Future and is strictly a concept for now... and even if it ever does go into production then you're unlikely to ever see one on the road.

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road," says Beermann.

The modular chassis design can be converted to make it longer or shorter - so various configurations can enable more battery packs to be added for greater range.

Although the FFZero1 might be a concept, Faraday is planning to build its first production cars within two years and is already being tipped as a rival for local electric car makers Tesla.

If 200mph supercars are a bit too much for your needs, then Chevrolet's new Bolt might make a more practical electric alternative.

The 2017 production model was also unveiled at CES - which is fast becoming an important platform for car makers to reinforce their technological credentials.

The Bolt is designed as an affordable long-range electric vehicle and the successor to Chevrolet's Volt. Chevrolet claims the Bolt has a range of more than 200 miles.

Josh Tavel, the Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, says: "With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

The Bolt was first introduced as a concept a year ago and production could begin by the end of 2016.

The car could come with an app that will make car sharing easier and also include advanced GPS route mapping which can predict precise range based on driving habits, weather conditions and the number of hills on the planned route.

But is range anxiety and the worry about being an early adopter of a relatively new technology still putting off motorists from going electric in 2016.

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience," says Tavel.

Outside the show hall BMW is demonstrating its self-parking cars.

Ok, so cars parking themselves is nothing new - but this BMW i3 has been fitted with gesture control. Its driver swipes his wrist and the smart watch he is wearing communicates with the car... the car rolls slowly into life and parks itself.

Philipp Reinisch from the BMW Group says: "With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

Volkswagen's old Microbus is getting a major update and could be in a garage near you in around three years.

The company unveiled a futuristic battery-powered concept of the bus called the BUDD-e. VW expects it to be able to go 373 miles (600 kilometres) on a single charge, far longer than electric vehicles today, due to a more efficient battery technology.

Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen says: "It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

The Budd-e has internet connections to smart home devices and can be charged to 80 percent of its battery capacity in about 15 minutes, VW claims.

It also has gesture recognition technology to control the infotainment screen, and the doors can be controlled by voice commands.

VW didn't say in its releases if the new Microbus will actually go into production, but said that the BUDD-e "demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019."

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient," says Diess.

VW says it's likely that the Budd-e will become a production model.

While some auto makers like General Motors will be looking to boost current car sales, companies like Rinspeed will be looking years - perhaps decades - into the future.

The Swiss car makers unveiled a self-driving concept car called 'Etos'.

A total of eight HD exterior cameras visually monitor the vehicle's surroundings, establishing 180-degree panoramic views, virtual exterior mirrors and no blind spots.

Inside, there's a retracting steering wheel which creates added space when in auto-pilot mode, allowing drivers to explore two curved 21.5-inch Ultra HD widescreen monitors or simply read a book.

Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed says: "In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

The Etos comes complete with an on-board DJI drone to snap road selfies during journeys... or even more unusual missions.

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them," says Rinderknecht.

It may seem like science fiction for some, but Rinspeed's Etos concept vehicle may inspire cars of the future.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 6-9 January in Las Vegas and over 3,600 exhibitors are showing off their latest consumer tech products and services.

LEAD-IN:

200mph electric supercars and cars that park themselves with just a swish of their owner's wrist are just some of the latest hi-tech motors at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The auto industry is increasingly using the technology show to demonstrate its latest gadgets and advances.

STORY-LINE:

This futuristic looking electric supercar can reach speeds of up to 200mph according to its maker Faraday.

The single-seater Faraday FFZero1 features all of the latest hi-tech gadgetry expected in a car making its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief of Faraday Future says: "This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

For example, a smartphone can be embedded in the steering wheel to give the driver real-time data and can even be used to tune and alter the way the car is set-up.

The FFZero1 is the brainchild of California-based car maker Faraday Future and is strictly a concept for now... and even if it ever does go into production then you're unlikely to ever see one on the road.

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road," says Beermann.

The modular chassis design can be converted to make it longer or shorter - so various configurations can enable more battery packs to be added for greater range.

Although the FFZero1 might be a concept, Faraday is planning to build its first production cars within two years and is already being tipped as a rival for local electric car makers Tesla.

If 200mph supercars are a bit too much for your needs, then Chevrolet's new Bolt might make a more practical electric alternative.

The 2017 production model was also unveiled at CES - which is fast becoming an important platform for car makers to reinforce their technological credentials.

The Bolt is designed as an affordable long-range electric vehicle and the successor to Chevrolet's Volt. Chevrolet claims the Bolt has a range of more than 200 miles.

Josh Tavel, the Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, says: "With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

The Bolt was first introduced as a concept a year ago and production could begin by the end of 2016.

The car could come with an app that will make car sharing easier and also include advanced GPS route mapping which can predict precise range based on driving habits, weather conditions and the number of hills on the planned route.

But is range anxiety and the worry about being an early adopter of a relatively new technology still putting off motorists from going electric in 2016.

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience," says Tavel.

Outside the show hall BMW is demonstrating its self-parking cars.

Ok, so cars parking themselves is nothing new - but this BMW i3 has been fitted with gesture control. Its driver swipes his wrist and the smart watch he is wearing communicates with the car... the car rolls slowly into life and parks itself.

Philipp Reinisch from the BMW Group says: "With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

Volkswagen's old Microbus is getting a major update and could be in a garage near you in around three years.

The company unveiled a futuristic battery-powered concept of the bus called the BUDD-e. VW expects it to be able to go 373 miles (600 kilometres) on a single charge, far longer than electric vehicles today, due to a more efficient battery technology.

Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen says: "It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

The Budd-e has internet connections to smart home devices and can be charged to 80 percent of its battery capacity in about 15 minutes, VW claims.

It also has gesture recognition technology to control the infotainment screen, and the doors can be controlled by voice commands.

VW didn't say in its releases if the new Microbus will actually go into production, but said that the BUDD-e "demonstrates what electric mobility could be like by the year 2019."

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient," says Diess.

VW says it's likely that the Budd-e will become a production model.

While some auto makers like General Motors will be looking to boost current car sales, companies like Rinspeed will be looking years - perhaps decades - into the future.

The Swiss car makers unveiled a self-driving concept car called 'Etos'.

A total of eight HD exterior cameras visually monitor the vehicle's surroundings, establishing 180-degree panoramic views, virtual exterior mirrors and no blind spots.

Inside, there's a retracting steering wheel which creates added space when in auto-pilot mode, allowing drivers to explore two curved 21.5-inch Ultra HD widescreen monitors or simply read a book.

Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed says: "In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

The Etos comes complete with an on-board DJI drone to snap road selfies during journeys... or even more unusual missions.

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them," says Rinderknecht.

It may seem like science fiction for some, but Rinspeed's Etos concept vehicle may inspire cars of the future.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 6-9 January in Las Vegas and over 3,600 exhibitors are showing off their latest consumer tech products and services.

Las Vegas, US - 4 January 2015

1. Mid of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car

Las Vegas, US - 6 January 2015

2. Various of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car on display at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES)

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief, Faraday Future:

"This car is a technology test bed for us. We're exploring things like aerodynamics, chassis development, materials, as well as the design language."

4. Various of Faraday FFZERO1 electric concept car on display

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Page Beermann, Exterior Design Chief, Faraday Future:

"I envisage this as much more of like a track enthusiast's car. You know, someone that would probably not even drive it on the road."

6. Mid of Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV, driving new Chevrolet Bolt EV

7. Wide of new Chevrolet Bolt EV coming to a stop

8. Various of new Chevrolet Bolt EV

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV:

"With every step we've made at Chevrolet - from the Volt EV to the Spark EV to the second gen Volt and now the Bolt EV - we've really built a good heritage and we keep increasing that pedigree. We know what the customers want, more importantly we know how the customers use the vehicles and everything that we've learnt is going into these vehicles."

10. Various of new Chevrolet Bolt EV

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Josh Tavel, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Chevrolet Bolt EV:

"There'll always be some people that still have fear, right? Until it's a completely mainstream product perhaps that won't happen. My biggest thing is going to be about getting the people in the vehicles, letting them experience all the good things that electrification brings to a vehicle, it's a completely different driving experience."

12. Mid of BMW employee preparing to park car using gesture control technology

13. Close of BMW employee's hands demonstrating gesture-controlled parking technology with smart watch

14. Various of BMW i3 self-parking

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Philipp Reinisch, BMW Group:

"With gesture control parking, it's possible to move your car using a gesture. You activate the car first by shaking your arm like this and then you're doing like a tennis forehand and sending the car into the free parking space."

16. Tilt up as BMW i3 drives away

17. Pull out of sign reading (English): "Think New." at Volkswagen CES booth

18. Various of Volkswagen BUDD-e concept bus on display

19. Setup shot of Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen, talking to media

20. Cutaway of video camera screen

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen:

"It's much more, it's high technology, it's a long-range electric car, it's fully-connected, it's a very emotional car and it will be state of the art by the end of this decade."

22. Various of Volkswagen employee demonstrating BUDD-e gesture control technology

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Herbert Diess, Chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen:

"The car will be an integral part of the internet, probably the most important part in the internet. The car will be always online, fully connected, we will have automotive cloud which will make the car really safe to drive, very convenient."

24. Wide high shot of CES show floor

25. High shot of CES attendees on show floor

25. Various of Toyota FCV Plus on display

26. Various of Rinspeed 'Etos' concept car on display

27. Various of Rinspeed employee demonstrating retractable steering wheel for autonomous driving

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed:

"In my opinion, whether you drive a sports car or a sedan, once you're traffic you're stuck and then you want to do something else, you want to maybe work, you want to entertain yourself, you want to read and that means that you need space and the steering wheel for those activities are just simply in the way."

29. Various of drone sat on Rinspeed 'Etos' rear

30. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed:

"The drone is for us a sign of connectivity, it's also a twinkle of the eye. Let's assume it's valentines day, you forgot to order roses for your wife, you order them online, the drones goes and picks them up and even delivers them."

31. Tilt down to Rinspeed 'Etos' concept car on display