Outside the box

Japan’s auto industry follows its own customs at the Tokyo Motor Show. It’s an all-in event that mixes automakers, suppliers, motorcycles and commercial trucks in a single celebration.

Visitors encounter cars, products and presentations of the kind you usually don’t see at the large car shows of Europe and the U.S.

“What is that?” is commonly overheard among attendees. Also: “Is that thing coming to the U.S. market?”

It’s clear that what works in Japan does not necessarily work outside Japan. At least not yet. Or maybe with a different name.

Carmakers may dominate auto shows with glitzy presentations, but Aisin Group had a point to make in Tokyo: Suppliers make it happen. Aisin used the show to demonstrate in glowing color just how much vehicle content it provides, which is probably more than you realized.

The Subaru XV Fun Adventure Concept does not actually propose setting up camp on its roof. But it is a more rugged and outdoorsy iteration of the XV, the Japan market name for the Crosstrek.

Acid green might be an odd paint choice for the Japanese edition Mercedes-AMG GT R — more fitting for a page of anime. But for ¥16.9 million ($149,000), you can probably have whatever color you want.

Nissan’s Serena e-POWER is a van not sold in the U.S. that uses a powertrain not available in the U.S. E-POWER is Nissan’s new variation on the pure battery-driven system behind its electric Leaf, using a gas engine to recharge its electric motor.

Meet Flesby II, supplier Toyoda Gosei’s concept for the post-2030 marketplace. Not actually as squishy as the Nerf-ball look it evokes, Flesby II nonetheless argues for softer vehicle body exteriors to reduce pedestrian injury. The next-generation “e-rubber” inflates and deflates in anticipation of a collision.

The Renault Lutecia RS raises a provocative point about the French automaker. The Japan-market model, which shares its architecture with its global alliance partner Nissan, demonstrates that the two companies can compete nose to nose in a critical market. So maybe someday the U.S.?

Instead being on the Honda stand, the Honda S650 was front and center at the Yachiyo Industry display. Yachiyo proudly assembled the sporty minicar for Honda until last year. Yachiyo representatives at the show said they are interested in future automaking concepts.