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Tokyo -- The 38th Tokyo Motor Show, the final dedicated to commercial vehicles, produced few surprises and little in the way of breakthrough technology. Still Japanese truckmakers put more than 100 vehicles on display including an array of hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles.

Mitsubishi-Fuso Truck & Bus Corp.

Mitsubishi-Fuso Truck & Bus Corp., still reeling from a series of costly recalls, exhibited a hybrid Canter truck that complies with Japan's new diesel emission standards that go into effect this year (2005). The truck, a parallel hybrid with an "idle-stop" system, is powered by a 3.0L turbocharged diesel engine and 35kW motor built into the transmission which draws power from a 300-volt manganese-lithium battery. The combined effect: a 30 percent increase in fuel economy.

The truck's "4M42T" engine is equipped with common-rail injection and exhaust gas recirculation systems which, linked to a continuously regenerating diesel particulate filter, substantially reduce emissions of N[O.sub.x] and particulates.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. supplies the Canter's "idle-stop" system; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi Ltd., its compact motor and secondary battery; and Exedy Corp. (the former Daikin Manufacturing Co.), the truck's electronically controlled automatic transmission (called INOMAT-II).

Although no decision has yet been made on price, management indicated that it would probably list the model for roughly the same price as Hino Motors' hybrid Dutro, thus around [yen] 42 million ($40,300). The company plans to introduce the model in early 2006 with expected sales of 100 units per month during the first year on the market. Initially, the model will be available only in Japan although management is studying the feasibility of eventually selling it in the U.S. and Australia. No time frame was offered.

Other Mitsubishi-Fuso models on display included a "high-roof" dump truck based on the company's Super Great model and a concept tractor that features a crushable front safety bumper, all-wheel disc and anti-lock brakes, single-rear tires, LED headlamps, a pedestrian monitoring system and color rearview mirrors. The model's aerodynamic design, with a drag coefficient of 0.43 cd, contributes to a 10 percent savings in fuel consumption.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:49 AM