This year’s Tokyo Motor Show opens its doors on Dec 2 and in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, the event promises much more than the dull procedurals of recent years.
Japan’s auto industry was and is a major employer in northern Japan and the factories and business units they have located in the region were hit hard, with effects felt across the massive global supply chain the auto companies run. With the world’s media in attendance, they will be keen to put on a good show and to make sure the focus is on the future.
To help them do that, the theme of this year’s show is “Mobility can change the world.”
Emphasis will be put on how technology developed in cars can provide solutions to global problems beyond simple transportation. With what happened in the aftermath of the earthquake, questions were raised in areas such as the environment, safety and energy and you can expect to see these being covered in the automotive technology on display.
Also a big part of this years show will be the “SMART MOBILITY CITY 2011” showcase that focuses on automobiles and social systems. Expect to find examples of “smart-technology,” or parts of the car powered by computer-like operating systems and carry out functions such as displaying car drive data on civic computers as well interacting with a person’s smart-phone device.
Of course, the main attraction is still the cars (and their demo booths and babes draped over the vehicles) and the Tokyo Motor Show is expected to see the first unveilings of over 50 new models. All of Japan’s 14 automakers will be there along with over 20 foreign brands, an increase from just 9 at the previous event. To accommodate them, the motor show moves from Makuharri Messe to Tokyo Big Sight — filling up 35,151 square meters of exhibition space.
China and India may have snatched away Japan’s place as the most significant auto market outside of the U.S., but with its lead in hybrid and electric technology, top-selling models in a many automobile categories as well as Japan’s ability to put on a superior show, this year’s event promises to be one not to miss.
Held from Dec 2-11, the show runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with discounted evening tickets available for admission from 6 p.m. or later. These discounted evening tickets are only sold at the venue on the same day, and cost 500 yen for adults (versus 1,500 yen for regular tickets), and 200 yen for high school students (versus 500 yen for regular tickets).
