MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- Automobiles Peugeot hopes to sell 10,000 units in Japan within the next two years and 20,000 units within the next five, Managing Director Frederic Saint-Geours said Wednesday.

Peugeot, which expects to sell 7,000 vehicles this year, wants to grow its share in the Japanese market by expanding its sales network and introducing new models, he said.

Meanwhile, Jean-Martin Folz, chairman of PSA Peugeot Citroen, said that diesel engines can help mitigate global warming.

"Although the old types of diesel engines cause air pollution, new types of diesel engines have been much improved to solve that problem," he said. "So diesel engines, which are superior in fuel-efficiency to the ordinary gasoline engine, can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Mazda Motor Corp., meanwhile, unveiled the Activehicle Concept and the RX-EVOLV, its new sports-type concept cars, at the Tokyo Motor Show's press preview here Wednesday.

James Miller, president and chief executive officer at Mazda, told reporters that he hopes the two new vehicles together with other Mazda cars can become a company milestone for the next century.

The Activehicle Concept, a sport utility vehicle, boasts a roomy interior cabin and large load capacity. It is also equipped with a multimedia station for a personal computer, a digital video display and a car navigation system.

The RX-EVOLV, a four-door sports car for family use, has a low-emission engine that meets the nation's LEV standards, according to the company.