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Autoblog Minute: Highlights from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

The 44th Tokyo Motor Show is here with plenty of exciting new car reveals, like the stunning Mazda RX-Vision concept and the wild Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo. Autoblog's Chris McGraw reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute, with commentary from Autoblog's Managing editor, Steven Ewing. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] The 44th Tokyo Motor Show is here with plenty of exciting new car reveals and lots of tech-heavy concept vehicles. I'm Chris McGraw and this is your Autoblog Minute. The Tokyo Motor Show opens to the public but for those unable to make it to Japan Autoblog is on hand to report. For more we go on location to Tokyo and Autoblog's Managing editor, Steven Ewing. [00:00:30] - [00:01:00] [Steven Ewing Interview] And that's your recap of the 44th Tokyo Motor Show, for our detailed coverage of the event be sure to head to Autoblo.com/tokyo-motor-show. For Autoblog, I'm Chris McGraw. [00:01:30] [Outro] Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Green Tokyo Motor Show Mazda Subaru Suzuki Coupe Concept Cars Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video Tokyo 2015

Subaru mulling three-row utility, upscale versions of existing models

Subaru was one of few automakers whose sales actually picked up during the recent recession. But now that auto sales are back on track (and expected to hit pre-recession numbers this year), Subaru is trying to come up with new products to fill voids in its current lineup. Wards Auto had a chance to talk to Subaru's director-product manager Ken Lin, who indicated that the automaker is planning to introduce new models this year that will help it attract new buyers without alienating current ones.
The biggest void, of course, is a competitive three-row crossover, a role the Tribeca does not fill in one a very popular segment. Lin said that while there's no current plan to kill off the Tribeca, Subaru is looking at creating a larger three-row CUV with more interior space. In addition to to something big, Subaru is getting ready to bring its customers more luxury with new touring models, but does not anticipate going toe-to-toe with Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
By the end of this year, Subaru will be introducing a new hybrid model, although we don't yet know on which model it will be based. What we do seem to know is that the car will get its power from a nickel metal hydride battery rather than a more modern lithium-ion pack for the sake of simplicity. Finally, Lin mentioned a new product being brought into the sports car segment, but while the article takes this as a hint toward a possible BRZ Turbo, it could also be a reference to the next generation of the WRX and WRX STI.

Will more efficient tech mean higher prices for Subaru?

If the latest ruling by the California Air Resources Board holds, then Subaru at least must build a plug-in hybrid in the coming years to comply with the Golden State's regulations. Fuel economy looks to improve across the board for the brand, though, thanks to $780 million going into the development of cleaner powertrains for this fiscal year alone. However, buyers might have to pay more for a Subie in the future after this boost in green spending. "Related costs are going up more than expected, bringing the profit margin downward," Fuji Heavy Industries President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said to the Nihon Keizai newspaper in Japan, according to Automotive News. "We are a small company. We do not benefit as much from economy of scale as bigger companies, so we will have to make up for the increased costs by raising our brand value." At the moment, Subaru's electrified lineup in the US comprises just the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, but the company is reportedly planning to add more. Plus, Subie also wants to make its internal combustion engines more efficient. According to Automotive News, all of the brand's mills are getting direct injection by 2016, and cylinder deactivation and lean combustion cycles are on track for 2020. Earlier rumors also suggested that the automaker might bring the turbocharged four-cylinder boxer to more products, as well. While these more efficient models might cost more, Subaru must carefully maintain the balancing act of introducing the technology and keeping sales growing. As of May 2015, the brand had 42 straight months of year-over-year growth in the US and had record sales in the country last year. The company has already decided to significantly boost production capacity at its Indiana factory in hopes of keeping the good times rolling.