Tokyo 1999: Trucks and Stuff

Close to 300 manufacturers showcased their product offerings at the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show, with the theme of "Eye to the Future; Changing Vehicles for the Earth." While sedans and luxury-car models remain the mainstay of the Asian market, an increasing number of "crossover" versions took the limelight, representing the motorcar and personal needs of the near future.

Unlike the U.S. market, where light-truck models make up more than half of the new-car market sales, Japanese buyers have shied away from compact trucks and full-sized SUVs. In fact, sales of small trucks are down 15 percent in the first three quarters of 1999. However, recreational vehicle sales in Japan, the world’s second-largest producer of motor vehicles, now account for 45 percent of the total domestically produced car and truck market.

Of the 757 vehicles displayed at the auto show, which is expected to draw more than 1.5 million visitors this year, there were some two dozen "recreational vehicle" concepts and a number of other compact sport-utility models were on display at manufacturer’s booths, as well. Few have traditional 4WD systems, but many offer increased ground clearance and expanded "recreational capability."

Here are the best of the trucks and activity vehicles from the Tokyo show:

Daewoo Tacuma

DAEWOO TACUMA This five-seat, multiple-function car is a recreational sedan that has been designed to be a "living room on wheels" and is powered by an in-line four-cylinder engine. Rumor has it that Daewoo in the United States would love to import this vehicle, but no formal announcement has been made.

Isuzu Kia

ISUZU KAI A pure SUV concept car, this revolutionary four-seater was designed with the concept of "architexture," using traditional Japanese aesthetics, the texture of modern architecture, and the functional beauty of a chassis frame structure. Powered by either a 2.5-liter or a 3.0-liter DOHC turbodiesel, with an electronically controlled torque split 4WD system, it has two stretch-and-detach shock absorber systems per wheel.

Isuzu ZXS

ISUZU ZXS A "Cool and Active" four-passenger sport-ute, the ZXS marries a radically modern and classic Japanese interior with ambiance for active urban dwellers to an exterior with tough styling cues at the fenders and wheel arches and a V-6 4WD system.

Mazda Activevehicle concept

MAZDA ACTIVEHICLE This five-passenger V-6 sport-utility vehicle has beefed-up styling cues added to a Ford Explorer-like body. It’s a precursor to the Mazda/Ford compact SUV that goes into production next year in Kansas City, also to be sold as the Ford Escape. To paraphrase one insider, take off everything that doesn’t look like it belongs, and you’ve got the final product.

Advance

MITSUBISHI SUW ADVANCE One of a trio of Mitsu "sport-utility wagon" concepts, this five-passenger compact car boasts ultralow fuel consumption and is powered by a GDI-HEV hybrid fuel system using an in-line four-cylinder engine and a CVT transmission

SUV Compact Concept

MITSU SUW COMPACT This four-seat concept car was designed for in-town use and is powered by Mitsubishi’s GDI-ASG (Automatic Stop and Go) technology.

Active 1

MITSU SUW ACTIVE Designed as the "post-RV" sport-ute of the near future, this five-passenger vehicle has low body height and high ground clearance, squared side panels and a versatile interior. Motivated by a "Green Power Turbo," its power comes from a turbocharged direct-injection in-line four.

Mitsu Pajero

MITSU PAJERO Unveiling the first full model change in eight years, Mitsubishi’s latest version comes with a 3.2-liter direct-injection diesel or a 3.5-liter direct-injection engine with increased fuel economy and cleaner emissions, four drive modes and an improved independent suspension.

Snowing

NISSAN SERENA HIGH ROOF SNOWING Based on the Japanese-market Serena High Roof, this four-passenger model with its HYPER CVT and 2.0-liter engine is designed for snowboard enthusiasts and stows up to four boards.

Also on display were the following: the 2000 BMW X5 all-activity vehicle; the 2000 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer; Chrysler’s Jeep Commander AWD Concept and 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee; GM’s 2000 Chevy Blazer; Land Rover’s 2000 Discovery Series II, the 2000 Range Rover and Defender SVX project vehicle; Renault’s new Megane Scenic RX4; and the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara.