The Tokyo Motor Show: A Glimpse into the Future of Mobility

After the Tokyo Auto Show, ‘mobility’ is no longer a dirty word. While the organizers of the recent Paris Motor Show were proud of not succumbing to this trendy word unlike other shows where electric scooters were everywhere, the Tokyo Motor Show went all-in on this trend. In fact, for this first post-Covid edition, the Tokyo Motor Show became the Japan Mobility Show. It offered an exciting glimpse into the future, not just about cars and motorcycles, but also a wider range of products, services, and technologies related to mobility. Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, promised this during the press day, and he unveiled the new offerings from his brand. From boat engines to private jets produced by Honda, flying cars in development, zero-emission two-wheelers, and various electric vehicles designed for seniors or people with reduced mobility, the Tokyo Big Sight had it all. One notable innovation was Toyota’s Juu, a wheelchair capable of climbing stairs. It’s not surprising when you consider the country’s culture and the origins of its major national manufacturers. Suzuki, for example, has a long history in mobility as a producer of motorcycles, marine engines, and small cars known as Kei Cars in Japan. They are well-positioned to venture into electric bikes and greener electric mobility, which the aging population will greatly need. The Japanese automotive leaders, including Toshihiro Suzuki, the president of Suzuki, emphasized their ambition to improve people’s lives by meeting all their transportation needs. The current car models from the brands were not prominently displayed, as they were instructed by the organizers to focus on the future. This is necessary when discussing decarbonization, which is not yet a reality on the archipelago. Hybrid models are ubiquitous on the streets of Tokyo, but Tesla and other fully electric models were few and far between during our stay. However, the brands showcased the sportiness of future cars. Toyota, the flagship manufacturer, joined the electric trend with its BZ4X, while Suzuki will soon follow suit with a vehicle inspired by the EVX, an SUV displayed at the Tokyo show alongside a concept that strongly hints at the future Swift. At the Japan Mobility Show, which closed on Sunday night, the main focus was on selling the dream, with electric concept cars representing the future of automobiles. While the competition models, such as the Toyota Yaris Rally1 used by Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä in the WRC, were sadly relegated to a secondary hall next to the trendy camping vehicles that have become popular in Japan since Covid, the brands emphasized the sportiness of future cars, as demonstrated by the five concept cars presented here.

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