Automakers unable to abandon diesel, gasoline engines

November 2, 2017

TOKYO- While spotlighting zero-emission technologies such as electric vehicles at ongoing Tokyo Motor Show, automakers also display continuing adherence to diesel and gasoline engines.

"We have a passion for engines," an official of BMW Japan Corp. said. "We'll keep vehicles with engines."

The 45th Tokyo Motor Show, which kicked off at Tokyo Big Sight on Friday, highlights the next-generation electric vehicle concepts of major Japanese companies such as Nissan Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. , as well as overseas automakers.

But many automakers do not think that all of their vehicle models will be replaced by such zero-emission vehicles in the near future.

"We are somewhat forced to develop electric vehicles amid tightening environmental regulations in some countries," such as China, the BMW official said. Still, the company will continue to offer engine vehicles for the Japanese market, the official added.

An official of Mazda Motor Corp. , which exhibits the Kai Concept compact hatchback equipped with the next-generation Skyactiv-X 2,000 cc engine, stressed that the company will continue to focus on the development of internal combustion engines. The engine is the world's first gasoline engine to employ compression ignition combustion technology, which can improve fuel economy by 20-30 pct from conventional engines. It also offers powerful acceleration from low speeds, Mazda claims. Jiji Press