Suzuki's cumulative minivehicle sales top 20 mil. units

Suzuki's cumulative minivehicle sales top 20 mil. units

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows the first model of the Alto minicar, released in 1979 by Suzuki Motor Corp. The company said Sept. 13, 2012, its cumulative domestic sales of minivehicles with engines of up to 660 cc had topped 20 million units the previous day, becoming the first carmaker to pass the threshold.

Honda to release all-new Life minicar on Nov. 7.

Honda to release all-new Life minicar on Nov. 7.

TOKYO, Japan - Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui stands by the company's new Life G type minicar during a presentation at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 6. Honda will release the new Life minica in three variations on Nov. 7 after making a full model changeover for the first time in five years.

Ghosn says Nissan aims at 2.8% of minicar market

Ghosn says Nissan aims at 2.8% of minicar market

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn speaks with the media in Tokyo on April 10. He said Nissan will aim to take 2.8% of Japan's minivehicle market with its first minicar model Moco.

Nissan launches its 1st minicar model in Japan

Nissan launches its 1st minicar model in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn stands by the company's first minicar model, the Moco, made by Suzuki Motor Corp. for Nissan, at a hotel in Tokyo's Minato Ward on April 10. The Moco is available with four-speed automatic transmission and a DOHC engine with a variable valve-timing mechanism, or a turbo-charged DOHC engine.

Daihatsu Motor's new Tanto

Daihatsu Motor's new Tanto

On April 9, Daihatsu announced the launch of the fully remodeled Tanto (photo), a tall minicar, the fourth generation since the first generation Tanto was launched in 2003. Based on DNGA, a new development platform for minicars and compact cars, the vehicle's chassis and powertrain have been completely redesigned to improve basic performance such as handling stability and flat ride comfort. The price including consumption tax ranges from 1,224,400 to 1,873,800 yen. The sales target is 12,500 units per month. At a press conference held in Tokyo on the same day, President Soichiro Okudaira expressed his confidence in the new model, saying, "Basic performance such as handling stability and quietness have been raised to a very high level, raising the car's status one or two notches. Inside the vehicle, the driver's seat slides backward 54cm to create a passageway to the rear seat, and the sliding door automatically opens and closes to make it easier to get in and out from the sidewalk.

Ghosn says Nissan aims at 2.8% of minicar market

Ghosn says Nissan aims at 2.8% of minicar market

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn speaks with the media in Tokyo on April 10. He said Nissan will aim to take 2.8% of Japan's minivehicle market with its first minicar model Moco.

Nissan launches its 1st minicar model in Japan

Nissan launches its 1st minicar model in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn stands by the company's first minicar model, the Moco, made by Suzuki Motor Corp. for Nissan, at a hotel in Tokyo's Minato Ward on April 10. The Moco is available with four-speed automatic transmission and a DOHC engine with a variable valve-timing mechanism, or a turbo-charged DOHC engine.

Honda to release all-new Life minicar on Nov. 7.

Honda to release all-new Life minicar on Nov. 7.

TOKYO, Japan - Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui stands by the company's new Life G type minicar during a presentation at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 6. Honda will release the new Life minica in three variations on Nov. 7 after making a full model changeover for the first time in five years. (Kyodo)