BEIJING —
The Beijing motor show opened to the media Friday, with automakers from Japan and other parts of the world showcasing their latest fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly models as part of efforts to expand their market shares in the world’s largest automobile market. ‘‘China has become an increasingly important market for Nissan in our global strategy,’’ Nissan Motor Co President Carlos Ghosn said in a presentation at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition.
Introducing the March global compact car, to be launched in China in the second half of this year, and the Leaf, the world’s first affordable electric vehicle for the mass market, to the audience, Ghosn said Nissan’s sales target for China in 2010 is 850,000 units, following a 40 percent sales increase in 2009.
Honda Motor Co President Takanobu Ito said the automaker will prioritize the full-scale market penetration of hybrid vehicles, so it will best contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
‘‘Toward this goal, the most important challenge is to provide a wider selection of hybrid models to increase the number of customers in China who can drive hybrid vehicles,’’ Ito said in his presentation.
He said Honda will begin selling in 2012 two hybrid models in China—the Insight and the CR-Z—through Honda’s sales channel in the country.
The show, also known as Auto China 2010, brings together about 2,100 automakers and auto-parts companies from 16 countries and regions. It showcases 990 vehicles, including 89 world debut cars, according to organizers.
Under the theme, ‘‘For a Greener Tomorrow,’’ 95 new-energy vehicles debuted at the event, which will run through May 2, the organizers said.
Toyota Motor Corp is displaying the FT-CH (Future Toyota-Compact Hybrid) concept car, an Asia debut model featuring a gasoline-electric hybrid system, as well as the new Prius, a hybrid car the company plans to introduce in China in the future.
Toyota Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada extended the company’s apology for the global recalls earlier this year, saying it will ‘‘prioritize the opinions of our customers in China in order to conduct automobile manufacturing that meets the expectations of our Chinese customers.’‘
Mazda Motor Corp President Takashi Yamanouchi said that by utilizing Mazda’s next-generation gasoline and diesel engines, which it calls ‘‘Sky Concept engines,’’ the carmaker ‘‘is confident’’ that it will improve the average fuel efficiency of Mazda vehicles sold globally by 30 percent by 2015, compared with the 2008 level.
A senior Mazda executive said the company is expected to achieve its sales target of 220,000 units in China in 2010, up 22 percent from 2009.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp is showcasing the PX-MiEV, a sport utility vehicle plug-in hybrid concept.
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