Issued: 25.Oct.1997

What recession? Visitors rush to The 32nd Tokyo Motor Show Public days start today Visitors waiting for the gates to open The 32nd Tokyo Motor Show opened to the public today at 9:30 a.m. with more than 700 vehicles, including upcoming cars, new models and vehicles already in the market, under the theme "One world. One people. One show." The fine weather coupled with this being a Saturday had long lines in front of the gates before opening time. It seems the prolonged recession and slump in depressed new car sales had no effect here today. More than 50,000 visitors poured through the gates within two hours of their opening and filled every area. Especially, the performances and spokesmodels in their outfits in each booth attracted much attention. The futuristic lightweight sports cars, compact RVs and foreign sports cars, like the Ferrari, were popular among the predominately young visitors. Exhibitors -Daihatsu,Daimler-Benz- Not dreams, focusing on realistic small vehicles The popular lightweight FR-X sports car Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. Daihatsu's booth featuring airships In this area there are various compacts based on the Daihatsu policy of focusing on the real world not on dreams. This is a must see booth because four of the special reference vehicles may be marketed depending on their popularity. The flat exhibition space, which is lit by three airships floating over the booth to provide lighting, is excellent for letting viewers look at and touch the vehicles. The popularity of this booth stems from the possibility of these vehicles becoming reality. World's smallest lightweight class sports car,the FR-X The first of these special sports cars is the FR-X, an FR (Front engine Rear-drive) 2+2 sports car aiming to be the smallest GT sports car in the world. Its 850cc gasoline engine, its compact, lightweight 750kg body and its powerful and sleek styling will make it popular with the younger generation. Next, the X070 (NAKED) minicar will give users the joy of customizing their own car. Third, there is the one liter NCX, Daihatsu's strongest segment, with a duo-tone finish whose colors shift from gold to red, depending on angle of view. Finally, the Midget IV, an one-box three seater passenger car for commuting that has evolved from the Midget II. Daihatsu plans to begin sales of the Midget IV next spring and is expected to be popular among women as a passenger minicar. There also other compact reference vehicles and 12 vehicles which are already on the market. Daimler-Benz, predicting future demands on vehicles Daimler-Benz The new Mercedes-Benz A-class Daimler-Benz pushes its new Mercedes-Benz A-class to the forefront as a new generation of subcompacts by stressing its size, economy, comfort and safety. Meanwhile, the enormous 5.8 meter long Maybach luxury sedan makes its world debut reminding us that despite its soft and familial TV commercials, Daimler-Benz is a stern and powerful maker of automobiles. The common characteristic of the Mercedes-Benz lineup is apparent at a glance, each new model is built from the ground up sparing nothing. Which explains why the vehicles in any classification are changing at a ratio comparable to new models. The idea that Daimler-Benz is shifting its marketing strategy in a market oriented direction to take the lead in every segment is not quite accurate. Instead, it would be fair to say they have expanded the target range from luxury class to included popular class vehicles as well. Stepping into their booth, the visitor senses their zeal to move to the forefront of each segment and realizes the quality needed to continue the tradition of the automobile into the next century. Today 25 Oct Reugene Nishikawa Special interview by Reugene Nishikawa Speaking to Atsushi Morohashi and Masami Hara Reugene: Have you ever been the Motor Show? Atsushi: This is my second visit. Reugene: Did you come with her last time? Atsushi: Yes, of course. Reugene: You look like a happy couple. Are you looking for a specific car? Atsushi: No, we've just come to see the cars we can't afford. Reugene: As a second time visitor, how would you compare this show to the last one? Atsushi: Well, being able to look down from the second floor is a good point. Reugene: By the way, do you use a car when you date? Masami: Usually. Reugene: Is he a good driver? Masami: Yes, he drives very safely. Reugene: Where do you usually go? Masami: I hope to go to Fukushima to snowboard this season. Reugene: Sounds nice, like something from a commercial. Where did you come from today? Atsushi: From Omiya. Masami: From Hadano in Kanagawa. Reugene: So you have a long distance love. May I ask about how you first met? Atsushi: We had part-time jobs at the same place when we were in school. Reugene: What kind of job? Masami: Å@A video rental shop in Hadano. Reugene: If there is a chanceÅ@of meeting a beautiful girl like Masami, we all need to get a part-time job at a video rental shop in Hadano. Atsushi Morohashi and Masami Hara Wellcome to Tokyo Motor Show Visitors 114,900 attendees

JAPAN MOTOR INDUSTRIAL FEDERATION, INC.