The Manchurian Candidate: Anti-Japan Protests Good News for German Automaker in China

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. That’s the way it has always been and that’s the way it is today, especially in the corporate world.

Case in point: China’s anti-Japan protests, which seem to turn uglier each passing day. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have been forced to shut down their plants after attacks on some of their operations and dealerships.

Nevertheless, Chinese consumers still buy cars. If they shy away from Japanese vehicles, then they will probably turn to other brands from nations with which they have no quarrel.

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China , Mitsubishi , Nissan , Reports , Toyota , Video

Nissan Shows Off e-NV200 Study at IAA in Hanover, Expands Cooperative Testing with FedEx

After a world premiere at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show in January, the Nissan e-NV200 pure-electric concept is now being displayed at this week's 64th IAA Commercial Vehicle International Motor Show in Hanover, Germany.

Along with the regular concept finished in white, Nissan is also showcasing an example decorated with Nissan and FedEx graphics and logos as the two companies announced an expansion of their cooperative testing.

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Concepts , Electric Vehicles , Nissan , Nissan Concepts , Nissan NV200

Nissan's 370Z Facelift, Juke NISMO and NV200 Taxi to Make European Debuts in Paris

While the new TeRRA crossover concept will no doubt be the highpoint of Nissan's Paris Motor Show stand, the Japanese automaker will also bring several new production and prototype cars to the City of Light for their European premieres.

These include the subtly refreshed, 2013-specification 370Z Coupe and Roadster that receive a newly styled front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights lights on both corners of the bumper along with new color options and wheel designs.

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Concepts , Nismo , Nissan , Nissan 370Z , Nissan Concepts , Nissan Juke , Nissan Micra , Nissan NV200 , Paris Auto Show

Japanese Automakers Urge Government to Implement Measures to Counter Strong Yen

Last Thursday, the yen hit a seven-month high against the U.S. dollar. That wouldn’t be so bad if the country’s currency hadn’t strengthened so much, from under 120 yen per dollar five years ago to less than 78 at the end of last week.As a result, exports have become more expensive, thus limiting profits.

Japanese automakers have felt the strain for quite some time now. Add last year’s tsunami that seriously disrupted production and the high labor cost and corporate taxes and it is not difficult to see why the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) decided to act.

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Honda , Japan , Nissan , Reports , Toyota

Soaring Yen May Bring Nissan Murano Crossover Production to U.S. Plant in Tennessee

With the yen rising to new heights, Japanese car manufacturers are, naturally, willing to move production of some of their models to their plants in other countries in order to make them more cost-effective.

According to a report from Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo daily newspaper, Nissan is currently considering shifting production of its Murano mid-size crossover to its Smyrna, Tennesee US plant which currently assembles the Altima and Maxima sedans.

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Japan , Nissan , Nissan Murano , Reports

Toyota Says Prius Plug-in Hybrid U.S. Sales Top 6,000 Units, Beats Volt and Leaf...or Did it?

A Toyota press release bragging about the achievements of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid variant since it went arrived in U.S. showrooms at the end of February states that the EPA-rated 95 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) Japanese hatchback has delivered 6,061 units in its first six months (March through August) on sale.

However, that's not what caught our attention; this is what did and we quote Toyota's press statement:

"This sales figure represents sales momentum that has propelled the Prius Plug-in to a stronger first full six-months sales pace (6,061 units) than Chevrolet Volt Plug-in (2,745 units) and the all-electric Nissan Leaf (3,875 units)."

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Chevrolet Volt , Electric Vehicles , GM , Hybrids , Nissan , Nissan Leaf , Reports , Toyota , Toyota Prius

Nissan TeRRA Concept is an All-Electric 'Urban' SUV [w/Video]

We have already shown you the first pictures of the Paris Motor Show-bound Nissan TeRRA, but now we have more detailed information and an official video of the SUV prototype.

But first things first. Despite the styling references and a name that hints at a vehicle related to the Xterra, Nissan makes no mention of this in its press release, while it also points out that the TeRRA is a "purely a concept car" and is not intended for production.

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Concepts , Electric Vehicles , Nissan , Nissan Concepts , Nissan Videos , Paris Auto Show , Video

Nissan GT-R Gives L-Driver of a Perodua a Tough Crash Lesson in Malaysia

There are accidents and then there are "accidents". For example, a Nissan GT-R and a L-Plate Perodua Kancil (a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Mira Mk3) training car involved in a crash is something bound to draw our attention…

This incident took place earlier today in the Malaysian state of Johor and resulted in a heavily damaged GT-R and an overturned Kancil.

Our tipster Calvin Goh explains:

"The collision is with a locally manufactured car, the Perodua Kancil. This car is widely used as a learning car (manual transmission) for first time drivers in Malaysia"

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Accidents , Asia , Nissan , Nissan GT-R , Offbeat News , Perodua