The Value of the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

OgawaWe have opportunities to attend auto shows overseas, like in Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt, and so on. Among them, was the Tokyo Motor Show interesting?

ShimashitaIt was more interesting than my initial expectations. In recent years, it felt somewhat subdued, but this time was different. There were quite a few noteworthy models from both domestic and imported manufacturers. I think it was a good show with a lot of energy.

OgawaBefore it started, we tend to evaluate it with eyes on things like the extent of Japanese premium offerings. But seeing this show, I started to think that perhaps that's not its essential value.

ShimashitaPreviously, there were many concept cars that seemed outlandish, like models for around 2050. But this time, Toyota, Lexus, and Mazda presented concepts that gave us a good sense of the near future.

OgawaCould you tell us the specific car names?

Toyota S-FR

Honda NSX

ShimashitaThe Toyota 'S-FR,' Lexus 'LF-FC,' and Mazda 'RX-Vision.' I believe these three models offered international media a reason to value their trip to Tokyo.

OgawaFor the general public, the Honda 'NSX' is also valuable, isn't it?

ShimashitaThe Mazda RX-Vision was a car that let you dream.

OgawaIs that realistic?

ShimashitaOnce they've shown something like that, they can't really say they won't produce it. I think it's a concept car with tremendous commitment.

OgawaIt's called Skyactiv-R technology, isn't it?

ShimashitaI wonder if a simple rotary engine can meet environmental standards, but combining it with an electric motor doesn't feel very Mazda-like. In any case, it's an expression of something Mazda's engineers have long wanted to do.

OgawaThat styling is cool, but is it realistic?

ShimashitaAren't the less realistic elements actually fewer? The low nose seems possible with a rotary engine. And it's only 4,400mm long.

OgawaYet it looks big.

ShimashitaMazda has often connected concept models shown at exhibitions to production vehicles in the past. In that sense, I have high expectations.

OgawaDoes Mazda continue to have passion for the rotary engine? Or is it a form of marketing aimed at fans?

Mazda RX-Vision

ShimashitaMany people joined Mazda because they admired the rotary engine. Even Shuichi Yamamoto, the Chief Program Manager for the Roadster, says he joined Mazda because he wanted to work on a rotary-powered sports car. Think of the '787B' with its rotary engine that was successful in endurance racing. Mr. Yamamoto has always worked on sports cars. He's an incredibly fortunate person.

OgawaIn 2015, Mazda ran its historic Le Mans car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, so perhaps they want to mark this year as a turning point.

Mazda 787B

Mazda Cosmo Sport

ShimashitaIn 2017, we will mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first-generation 'Cosmo Sport.' The RX-Vision might appear around that time.

OgawaThe general public who visited the Tokyo Motor Show might have been impressed by the many sports cars. They must have found it interesting.

ShimashitaAnother concept model that I found interesting was from Lexus.

More Interesting with Enhanced Presentation

OgawaWhile the new 'RX' and the large 'LX' may have drawn attention at the Lexus booth, the public debut of the LF-FC, a concept for a fuel-cell large sedan, was also a topic of discussion.

ShimashitaIt was simply cool. I think Lexus's design is constantly evolving. It's changing. As Tokuo Fukuichi, President of Lexus International, said at the press conference, it was a design that made you anticipate the next chapter, and the technology is not outlandish; it has the persuasiveness of a direction for the next decade. FCVs are already being developed. In-wheel motors are also not technically impossible. And the fact that the mirrors are displays is something every manufacturer is working hard on. I think it showed us, in a raw way, what Lexus envisions for luxury cars, in terms of design and environmental considerations.

Lexus LF-FC

Mr. Fumio Ogawa

OgawaThe presentation was a bit weak. We tend to wish for what we don't have, which might be difficult for manufacturers, but just as Mercedes presented a vision of a luxury sedan for 2030 with the 'F015 Luxury in Motion,' I felt that Lexus should have shown us their thinking about sedans further into the future, without being outdone.

ShimashitaThat's true. Japanese manufacturers lack that.

OgawaTaking Frankfurt as an example, I think German manufacturers have developed their communication language. They carefully explain to visitors where they are heading.

ShimashitaMazda is easy to understand. It's a natural extension of what they've consistently done with Skyactiv and Kodo design. The rotary engine itself also has a history. (Other brands) should properly showcase that. If Lexus had presented the context of luxury, it might have been even better. If I were to be greedy, assuming the LF-FC is part of the traditional 'LS' lineage, they should have shown everything the LS has achieved in the past.

OgawaJapan tends to deny its history. For example, they don't talk about the designs of their predecessors.

ShimashitaIdeally, they would talk about the evolution of design, such as Lexus's design philosophy 'L-finesse,' or exhibit past LS models and discuss which ones were epoch-making. Such an exhibition might have been good. Lexus has consistently proposed this kind of luxury. Building on that, they could have shown what future luxury looks like.

OgawaExactly. I want to see that.

ShimashitaUnderstanding that context leads to brand depth.

OgawaRegarding autonomous driving, Mr. Shimashita, you have something to say, don't you?

ShimashitaI do.

Mr. Yasuhisa Shimashita

To Tokyo Motor Show 2015 Talk: Part 2