TOKYO -- Japan's carmakers are going all out to put some zing back into the beleaguered Tokyo Motor Show. The exhibition used to be Asia's premier industry event, but in recent years it has been overshadowed by bigger shows in Beijing and Shanghai.
The global financial crisis nearly wiped out the last show in 2009, when virtually every major foreign automaker sat out. The Detroit 3 are staying home again this time. But other major players -- including BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi and Porsche -- will be back.
BMW and Volkswagen even promise a few global premieres. But the domestic brands will dominate.
Toyota, for example, will unveil the Aqua compact hybrid, to be called the Prius C in the United States, as well as close-to-market concepts for an iQ-based electric car and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. It also will unveil a highly anticipated sporty car developed jointly with its affiliate, Subaru.
The show's organizer is making changes to rekindle interest in the event. After 20 years of being held outside Tokyo at the sprawling Makuhari Messe in Chiba, the show will move to Tokyo Big Sight, a smaller convention center in Tokyo's waterfront district.
Here's a sampling of production and concept vehicles making their debuts during press days Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The show opens to the public Dec. 2.
