A visit to the renamed Tokyo Motor Show.
The Japan Mobility Expo, renamed from the Tokyo Motor Show, opened its doors on October 25 to begin its long 12-day run. We took a trip to the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center in the city’s Odaiba district to attend the event and brought back a bunch of photos of the coolest cars and the most beautiful booth models.
▼ The big view of Tokyo
Under its new name, the Japan Mobility Expo aims to expand its scope to include an ever-widening variety of modes of transportation, including manned giant robots. Cars, trucks and motorcycles were still the majority on display, with what felt like a general consensus that Mazda’s iconic SP the concept car was the star of the show.
▼ With its flowing lines and hybrid rotary powertrain, the Iconic SP is clearly meant to evoke happy memories of Mazda’s FD RX-7.
Speaking of the Mazda booth, their speakers welcomed us hand sign copying the company’s M logo wing.
This seems to be an idea they are borrowing from Suzukiwhich uses the negative space between the toes to recreate the company’s stylized S long enough that it’s now a tradition.
Not that there’s anything wrong with just a good old-fashioned heart as a manufacturer of suspension components Olins reminded us.
▼ Another Ohlins heart
Toy manufacturer Takara Tomimakers of the popular Tomica line of die-cast cars, displayed a racing version of Toyota’s 86…
… while at of Toyota stand, guests could try the company’s products Neo Steer a concept that allows all car functions to be controlled by hand controls alone, which would allow even people in wheelchairs to drive cars equipped with the device.
Toyota technically had several booths at the show, including one for a company group Toyota Boshokuwhose focus is car interior parts and components.
Mazda wasn’t the only automaker to evoke memories of its sporting past Honda debuted a new concept PreludeThey haven’t sold a coupe model since 2001.
For decades, Nagoya-based NGK has been one of the most trusted names in spark plugs. The company’s products are still as reliable as ever, but last year they changed their name to Niteraas the booth models made sure attendees remembered it.
NHK Springwhose products include car seats, has stuck with the acronym it has had since 1939.
It wasn’t just Japanese companies at the Japan Mobility Show, such as a Chinese automaker BYD introduced its BYD Seal EV.
At of Subaru booth, the company known for building rally racers that can drive on any surface showed a flying car, Subaru Air Mobility Concept.
For cars still moving on the ground, however, Dunlop happy to provide tires.
▼ Seat manufacturer Minebea Mitsumi
Melted may not be a name North Americans are familiar with, but Mitsubishi’s commercial truck and bus division is big in Japan, other parts of Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
▼ Automotive component supplier Denso
▼ Toyoda Goseianother Toyota Group company and component supplier
IN Mercedes-Benz booth, the clothing was more sophisticated formal than sporty or playful, as one would expect from the German luxury brand…
…Daihatsu they had a sort of retro look with their high collars and berets…
…and Carmatwhich makes both car interior accessories, dash cams and outdoor gear, kept things campy.
▼ Sumitomo Electric they also had a certain rustic appeal with their cowboy hats.
In the motorcycle sector, Kawasaki went old school with their single cylinder 250cc engine Meguro S1named after Meguro Manufacturing, a motorcycle company that was absorbed by Kawasaki in the 1960s…
… as a rival Yamaha looked far into the future with his Motoroid 2 concept.
▼ Exhaust System Manufacturer Sango
Car show modeling in Japan is still a predominantly female endeavor, but based in Saitama UD Trucks there were cabin dudes too.
Finally, because it wouldn’t be a true Japanese event without some kind of cute characters, visitors to the Mitsubishi booth could purchase a stuffed animal from Delimaruthe boxy bulldog that appears in the Delica Mini TV commercials.
So even if we didn’t come home with a new car, at least we got a new plushie.
Related: Japan Mobility Show Official Website
Photos ©SoraNews24
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