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Tokyo court rejects Carlos Ghosn's bail request

TOKYO — A Tokyo court rejected former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn's latest request for bail on Tuesday, more than two months after his arrest. A statement from the Tokyo District Court announcing its decision gave no explanation for prolonging a detention of the 64-year-old executive, which has drawn international scrutiny of Japan's justice system. Ghosn had promised to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, give up his passport and pay for security guards approved by prosecutors in his latest attempt to gain release from a Tokyo detention center. His family said they will appeal. Ghosn has been in custody since Nov. 19. He had a bail hearing Monday. A Tokyo court rejected an earlier request for bail last week. Ghosn, who led Nissan Motor Co. for two decades, has been charged with falsifying financial reports in underreporting his compensation from Nissan over eight years, and with breach of trust, centering on allegations Ghosn had Nissan temporarily shoulder his personal investment losses and pay a Saudi businessman. Ghosn has said he is innocent, explaining that the alleged compensation was never decided, Nissan didn't suffer losses and the payment was for legitimate services. His wife, Carole Ghosn, appealed for his release through Human Rights Watch earlier this month, saying Ghosn's treatment has been harsh and unfair. Her views echo widespread criticism of Japan's criminal justice system both inside and outside Japan. Suspects who insist they are innocent get held longer. Suspects are held in a cell and routinely grilled daily by investigators without a lawyer present, although lawyers are allowed to visit. Ghosn's lawyer Motonari Ohtsuru has acknowledged Ghosn's release may not come until the trial, which may be six months away. A date for the trial has not been set. Nissan officials say an internal investigation has found that Ghosn had schemes to hide his income and that he used company money and assets for personal gain. A special committee Nissan set up after Ghosn's arrest to strengthen governance held its first meeting Sunday. Seiichiro Nishioka, a former judge and co-chair, told reporters after the meeting that Ghosn had shown questionable ethics, and too much power within the company had been focused in one person. The committee's findings are due by late March. Ghosn's pay was long a sticking point in Japan, where executives generally get paid far less than their American and other Western counterparts.

Mitsubishi EV drivers returning for another crack at Pikes Peak

At the 2014 edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi will once again come to play with powerful electric vehicles. And by play, we mean take EV racing incredibly seriously. The 14,115-foot hill climb takes place June 29 and Mitsubishi is sending drivers Greg Tracy and Hiroshi Masuoka to challenge the podium. Tracy knows the course thanks to winning the challenge six times on a motorcycle. We don't know what kinds of vehicles Mitusbishi will race this year, and all the company is saying is that it will use technology founds in the i-MIEV. Last year, the duo raced a pair of MiEV Evolution II electric vehicles, which had four electric motors and a combined maximum output of 400 kilowatts (536 horsepower). They finished with times of 10:21.866 (Masuoka) and 10:23.649 (Tracy), well behing the winner of the Electric Division, Nobuhiro Tajima, who drove the Tajima Monster Sports Special E-Runner up the hill in just 9:46.530. Anyone want to hazard a guess what Tracy and Masuoka will get this year? Mitsubishi Motors At The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Tuesday, May. 13 2014 Greg Tracy and Hiroshi Masuoka Will Compete For Mitsubishi In Electric Modified Division at The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb On June 29 Colorado Springs, May 9----One of the top competitions at the 2014 The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be the quietest of them all. The talent-heavy Electric Modified Division already includes Nobuhiro Tajima, who won the Electric Division last year when he drove his Tajima Monster Sports Special E-Runner to a blazing time of 9:46.530, an Electric record and the seventh fastest time in the history of the race. Now, this exciting division has added two of the race's veteran stars to go head-to-head with Tajima for top honors in the world's most famous hill climb and America's second-oldest motorsport competition behind the famed Indianapolis 500. The powerful Mitsubishi Motors team will again field two factory teams on America's Mountain on June 29, driven by two of the most accomplished drivers in the history of the race. Greg Tracy, a six-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion, will pilot one of the Mitsubishi Motors entries in the chase to the 14,115-foot summit of America's Mountain. Tracy, in his last ride on a bike, a Ducati, broke the ten-minute mark with a clocking of 9:58.262.

Mitsubishi to showcase eX crossover concept in Tokyo

The Tokyo Motor Show is coming up at the end of the month, and Mitsubishi isn't about to sit it out. That's where the Diamond Star automaker will unveil the eX Concept pictured here. The electric crossover concept packs what the company terms as a "next-generation EV system" into what looks at first blush like a rather dramatic design. Mitsubishi is telling us next to nothing about the eX and its specifications. However, it indicates that the concept incorporates an all-electric powertrain, all-wheel drive, an automated driving system, vehicle connectivity, and active safety systems. The automaker has also only revealed the one rendering above, but it bears all the hallmarks of a modern Mitsubishi concept like the ones we've seen in recent years. That includes the company's signature Diamond Shield front grille, flanked by narrow, angular headlights and oversized running lamps. Naturally, this concept rides on oversized wheels and boasts spindly little mirrors, all in an effort to tell us this is a bonafide show car and not a pre-production prototype. We'll look forward to seeing more in the near future, but in the meantime you can delve into what little Mitsubishi is telling us at this point in the press release below. Related Video: MITSUBISHI MOTORS LINEUP AT 44TH TOKYO MOTOR SHOW – ANOTHER STEP FORWARD WITH SUVS AND ELECTRIC POWER 08/10/15 from Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Print this page Add this release to Your Downloads TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil the Mitsubishi eX1 Concept, a compact SUV concept car, with a next-generation EV system at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 20152. The concept car showcases MMC's next-generation electric vehicle (EV) technologies, a new take on the Dynamic Shield front design concept, and a vast range of other technologies for superior driving pleasure in a compact crossover package. MMC's display reflects the main theme of "Driving Beyond" – another step forward with SUVs and electric power. ELEGANCE & SUV & 100% ELECTRIC The Mitsubishi eX Concept is a vision for a unique all electric powered compact SUV aimed at the fast growing compact SUV market. It uses MMC's state-of-the art EV and all-wheel control technologies combined with automated driving, connected car, and active safety systems. Both exterior and interior design indicate the direction MMC Design is taking.