COMPETITION among carmakers in Japan is intensifying across several dimensions: technology, segments especially EVs and keis, brand positioning and mobility services.
The Japan Mobility Show 2025 is a key battleground for this – not just unveiling cars, but signalling strategy and capturing attention.
Japan’s automotive giant Toyota Motor Cor and its fully-owned subsidiary Daihatsu Motor Co are headlining the showcase, which opened its doors on Oct 30 and will run till Nov 9.
The biennial show at the sprawling Tokyo Big Sight focuses on next-generation mobility, electrification and user-centric innovation.
The event, formerly Tokyo Motor Show, has evolved into a cross-industry showcase for mobility in all forms, from electric vehicles and autonomous technologies to air mobility and digital transport ecosystems.
More than 500 exhibitors, including global carmakers, startups and robotics firms, are participating under the theme “A unique opportunity to explore the future of mobility.”
Showstoppers On Display
Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, is anchoring its exhibit around the concept of “Mobility for All”.
It is highlighting electric and intelligent-connected vehicles with the theme of “Let’s Change the Future of Cars – Find Your Future”.
New models like the Land Cruiser “FJ” and the GR Yaris M Concept, as well as the WellVoyage Seat, which offers hands-on accessibility experiences.
The event also serves as a platform to promote the “Woven City,” a test course for mobility that aims to advance Toyota’s transformation into a mobility company.
Daihatsu, Toyota’s compact-car subsidiary, is returning with an expanded showcase under the theme “DAIHATSUMEI for me – Small but Capable.”
Since its founding in 1907, Daihatsu has been inventing cars that pack excitement, approachability and convenience into small bodies and offering them at affordable prices while always staying close to people’s lives.
At this year’s show, Daihatsu will showcase its unique inventions that make people think, “This seems perfect for me” and “This seems like it would make life more fun.”
The inventions will be expressed through booth displays and performances, starting from the Midget, the origin of “DAIHATSUMEI”, and expanding into the future.
Daihatsu booth’s highlights include:
* Midget X, which carries the spirit of invention from the first-generation Midget, a car built from the perspective of everyday life that transformed people’s lives, into the future.
* K-Open (Copen), with its small size that lets you feel the light comfort of open-air driving up close while enjoying the unique driving performance of a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car.
* K-Vision, which delivers the appeal of electrified vehicles – quiet yet powerful motor-driven performance, outstanding environmental performance, and external power supply – while retaining the same usage capabilities as conventional vehicles (no charging required).
* Kayoibako-K which provides new ways of working and supports life in local communities in the last-mile domain, unique to mini vehicles.
Daihatsu’s focus remains on “staying close to customers and enriching daily life,” particularly amid Japan’s ageing demographics and growing demand for compact, eco-friendly transport.
A Bold Comeback
Nissan is showcasing a dynamic lineup aimed at reinvigorating its presence in the domestic market.
Headlining the display are the all-new Elgrand, the confirmed Japan debut of the rugged Patrol SUV and a refreshed Ariya — each embodying Nissan’s intelligent approach to mobility and innovation.
These models represent a pivotal step in Nissan’s next chapter, underscoring the brand’s renewed product strategy under the Re:Nissan plan.
Together with the recently launched all-new Leag, the new Roox kei ca and the updated MY26 Skyline sedan, Nissan’s latest lineup signals a strong commitment to energising its Japanese portfolio and driving future growth.
Vision For 2035
Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled two vision models, the Vision X-Coupe and Vision X-Compact (‘X’ pronounced as ‘cross’ ), both embodying the company’s theme for this year’s exhibition: “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow” for 2035.
The Vision X-Coupe is a crossover coupe that embodies the further evolution of ‘Kodo-Soul of Motion’ design language.
It is powered by a plug-in hybrid system integrating a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with a motor and battery.
With a maximum output of 510 PS, the vehicle offers a driving range of 160km in motor-only mode and up to 800 km when operating in combination with the engine.
Forward-Looking Spirit
Mitsubishi Motors Corp unveiled the Elevance Concept, an electrified crossover SUV concept.
Overall, Mitsubishi is presenting a lineup designed to inspire a spirit of adventure and exploration.
Leading the showcase is the new Delica D:5 (prototype), an all-round minivan that has evolved with enhanced steering stability, improved road handling, and a more rugged design.
Also featured is the all-new Delica Mini, a super height-wagon kei car, which officially goes on sale in Japan on Thursday.
Super-N Sportlight
The headline act on Honda Motor Co’s stand is the Super-N, a near-production version of the camouflaged Super EV concept revealed earlier this year.
Based on the N-One kei car, it features a sportier, more muscular stance and a Boost performance mode with simulated gearshifts.
It’s big news for Britain, as the UK will be the only market outside Asia to receive the Super-N when it launches next year – set to rival the Hyundai Inster and reborn Renault Twingo.
Also debuting is the 0 Alpha prototype, the third model in Honda’s upcoming 0 Series of distinctively styled EVs.
It echoes the design language of the larger SUV and 0 Saloon concepts, though it is being developed primarily for Japan and India ahead of a 2027 launch.
Honda notes it will be offered globally, leaving the door open for a future European release.
China‘s EV Giant Goes Local
One non-Japanese carmaker that is generating a lot of attention is China‘s BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer.
BYD showed off its electric Racco mini vehicle model for the Japanese market.
BYD executives stressed that the company is “fully committed” to the Japanese market and introduced new models including the Racco set to launch next summer to win the hearts of Japanese consumers.
“We have developed the Racco to meet Japan’s kei minicar standards and this is BYD’s first overseas-exclusive model,” said Atsuki Tofukuji, president of BYD Auto Japan.
Overall, Japan Mobility Show 2025 underscores how Japanese automakers are repositioning themselves in the face of global competition and regulatory pressures.
As EV adoption accelerates worldwide, Toyota and Daihatsu are betting on a blend of electrification, intelligence and human-centred design to keep Japan at the forefront of future mobility.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
