CHIBA — With oil prices hitting new highs, producing eco-friendly and fuel-efficient cars has become the norm for most carmakers.
But the new models unveiled to the press Wednesday for the 40th Tokyo Motor Show at the Makuhari Messe convention center show automakers also feel future cars must be cute and easy to drive.
This year's show, which opens to the public Saturday, is the first in 10 years to feature both general and commercial vehicles. The 241 participating companies, hailing from 11 nations and a region, are displaying 542 vehicles, including 77 making world premieres and 103 appearing for the first time in Japan. Many are concept cars.