Crippled by the global downturn and the effects of this year’s earthquake, Japanese automakers used the Tokyo Motor Show to highlight the fact they’re coming back stronger than ever.
While the business of selling cars and highlighting the greenest technologies that will make make their new products more fuel efficient and kinder to the environment are of prime importance, what is equally apparent from the Japanese is their sense of fun married with function. Many of the vehicles on display at the 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show will never set wheels in Canada. Some are pure whimsy, concepts designed to stretch the imagination and technological prowess of the engineers and designers. Others are vehicles that by design, regulations or market realities, are not viable in our country.
It matters not. They are bold, attractive, interesting designs that incorporate power and fuel efficiency without being boring.
2011 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda’s new technology put to the test
2011 Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan is going to get racy
2011 Tokyo Motor Show: Cars we won’t see in Canada
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Suzuki Regina at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
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Smart fortwo tailor made at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
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Nissan Townpod EV concept the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Suzuki Q concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
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Nissan Pivo3 at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Mazda6 at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
Graeme Fletcher for National Post
Subaru BRZ at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Honda Micro Commuter Concept debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Mercedes F125 debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Daihatsu Pico debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Daihatsu Sho Case debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Daihatsu Sho Case debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Toyota FT-EV III the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Nisan Juke NISMO at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Nissan Leaf NISMO at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Honda Canopy debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
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Audi A1 Sportback debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
