The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association ("JAMA," Chairman: Fujio Cho) will hold the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26th (Friday) through November 11th (Sunday) this year. The show will be opened to the public from October 27th (Saturday). There are two press days, October 24th (Wednesday) and 25th (Thursday). The Special Guest Day (Opening Ceremony) will be on October 26th (Friday).
The theme this year is "Catch the News, Touch the Future." Vehicles from all over the world that provide our lives with diversified joy and excitement in addition to a focus on the environment, safety and comfort will gather at the Tokyo Motor Show. This theme directly expresses that this show is the place to encounter exciting and thrilling vehicles, while also expressing the show organizer's wish to convey the "joy and meaning of coming to the show."
Exhibitors lined up at this point include 4 governments, 1 organization, and 242 companies from 11 countries and 1 region. This is an increase of two companies compared to the previous show (39th show in 2005, Passenger Cars and Motorcycles). Besides using all of the Makuhari Messe facilities, outdoor exhibits will be set up for exhibition space amounting to a total of 44,687 m2 . This will be 11% larger than the 39th show.
The new integrated show making its debut this year will encompass passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, commercial vehicle bodies, parts, as well as machinery and tools etc., and will be held every other year hereafter. The Tokyo Motor Show aims to provide the maximum amount of information, all in one compact space where cutting-edge products and technologies gather, including many world premieres across a wide range of automotive categories.
One of the basic policies of JAMA activities is to materialize and appeal the dreams, joy, and wonder of cars. From this perspective, upgraded special events that involve audience participation and experiences will be offered to generate excitement about vehicles, such as five types of test ride programs where visitors can actually come in contact with cars. The entertainment aspect will be heightened so that a wide range of visitors including women and youth, as well as families, can enjoy a full day at the show. Services for visitors have also been enhanced by introducing an official travel agency and making the online ticket system "E-tix." available.
Ride along with a professional driver on a four-wheel drive vehicle and experience a special outdoor course.
Experience vehicle safety features such as the ABS (Anti-lock brake system) and ESC (electronic stability control).
Ride along on clean energy vehicles such as fuel cell cars to experience what cars of the future aim at.
Ride along on various commercial vehicles such as large trucks to experience their advancement in technology.
Whirl down a hill in a soapbox car (originally made with large crates that carried soap in the US) equipped only with a steering wheel and brakes to experience the origin of cars.
Symposiums will be held to let the audience to think about the future of cars and society from various angles with multiple themes.
Widen children's horizons through this motorcycle experience.
An easy-to-understand learning experience about clean energy vehicles using experiment kits.
Experience the world of car modeling by actually crafting cars with clay.
Experience the fun of the outdoors such as camping.
Race slot cars by controlling speed on a special course with slots.
The miniature car exhibit and sales booth sponsored by Tomy Co., Ltd. has been a regular presence since the 35th Tokyo Motor Show 2001. This year, the TOMICA Corner is renewing its name to the "TOMICA / Choro-Q Corner." To celebrate the holding of the Tokyo Motor Show, limited-edition models of the radio-controlled "Q-Steer" Choro-Q as well as the Tomica cars will be offered for sale.
This year is the 10th time the Children's Art Exhibit, a collection of art drawn by kindergarten children in Chiba City, will be held. The "Shaping Your Dreams by Tomica" has been planned to celebrate this milestone. From over 3,000 drawings received for the Children's Art Exhibit, three very childlike and unique drawings have been selected and recreated as Tomica models with the cooperation of Tomy Co., Ltd. These will be displayed in the Tomica Choro-Q Corner.
Demonstrations of trial bikes and Chiba Prefectural Police motorcycles will be conducted. There will also be a collection of truck stall cafes in the Park where a variety of cuisine can be enjoyed. Talk shows will be held on an event stage using a stage car.
* Because vehicle bodies will be exhibited outdoors until October 30th (Tuesday), Lifestyle Park will be set up from November 1st (Thursday).
Aiming to further enhance visitor services, the following will be implemented.
The Special Viewing Day for Wheelchair Users implemented since the 37th show in 2003 has been set for the afternoon of October 25th (Thursday), the second Press Day. Admission is free for the wheelchair user and up to 2 accompanying people. Details will be announced on the Tokyo Motor Show website this August and applications will be accepted until around the end of September.
Messe Travel Service, a company within Makuhari Messe, Inc., has been designated as Official Travel Agency ("OTA") to provide integrated travel services to visitors. Jointly with business partner JTB Corp., OTA will provide not only services such as accommodations for Japanese and foreign press and exhibitors, but will also work to attract the general public to the show. OTA services will be available from April 19th (Thursday). For details, see the OTA website .
(http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/2007/eng/hotel.html)
A new initiative for this show will be the implementation of E-tix, a system where tickets can be bought via the Internet from anywhere in the world. After paying for tickets by credit card on the Internet, tickets can be printed out at home or at the office. This service will be available on the Tokyo Motor Show official website from this August. (http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/2007/eng/ticket.html)
A new Kids' Page will be added to the Tokyo Motor Show Official Website from this show to generate the interest of children toward cars and the Show, starting from April 19th (Thursday) (http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/2007/kids/). The Tokyo Motor Show's tie-up with the only officially approved Website "goo" will also be enhanced to provide even more attractive content. The "goo" Tokyo Motor Show website is scheduled to be up around August.
