Tom Evans writes:

Up bright and early, the idea is to leave before the traffic gets too nasty.  Which is fine and dandy, but means we get to the show over an hour before it starts…

Into the hall, and it’s clear that the mood is somewhat subdued:

All of the major European car companies failed to show up at all, in marked contrast to previous years (the show is held every two years).  Ironically, two Europeans here include Lotus, and bizarrely, Caterham.  The latter is bringing the R300 superfast Seven to Japan; Caterhams are something of a cult car over here it seems:

The Nissan press conference was the usual bunfight as Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn unveiled the new Leaf electric car:

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Mr Ghosn arrived on stage at the wheel of the Land Glider concept car, a sort of tandem motorbike-cum-car.  I thought for a brief moment he couldn’t get out of the thing, which might have been amusing to say the least.  He is the closest thing the industry has to a rock star, and has hero status in Japan for saving Nissan from seemingly certain oblivion ten years ago.  A highlight for me was Dave our group’s snapper barking instructions at Ghosn-san to move to various positions in front of the car so he could get his shots.

All of the major Japanese car makers did turn up though, and nearly all of them have interesting cars to unveil.  You don’t see Harley-Davidson at a motor show every day of the week:

I want one of these.com:

Stories, features and of course galleries to come.