Mitsubishi Motors has released the first sketches of its latest concept car, the Concept SportBack^®. Set to make its world debut at the Frankfurt IAS in September, the concept shows the company's vision for its next generation Lancer C-segment cars and debuts its design inspiration for a new European 5-door sports hatchback. The SportBack also features a new Mitsubishi Motors-developed platform, seen previously in the Dodge Caliber concept, which will spawn a range of new models over the next three years from SUVs to family hatchbacks.

Tokyo, Japan — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed a New Honda Hybrid System, which features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine that employs Honda's intelligent VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to provide three stages of valve timing (low-rpm, high-rpm, and cylinder idle mode), combined with Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system that has been made significantly more compact and efficient. The New Honda Hybrid System will be introduced in the all-new Civic Hybrid, to be launched this fall. more …

Tokyo, Japan — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has developed a new 1.8l i-VTEC engine to be introduced this fall in the new Civic that achieves both more powerful performance and improved fuel economy. The engine employs an intelligent VTEC system that switches the valve timing for maximum efficiency during startup and acceleration to achieve powerful, torquey performance, then delays intake valve closure timing during cruising and other low-load conditions for improved fuel economy. more …

Woodstock, ON — Toyota announced yesterday that it will construct a new plant here employing 1,300 workers to build the RAV4 SUV. The new plant represents an approximate C$800 million/US$650 million investment and will be Toyota's second Canadian assembly plant. The new plant will open in 2008 and will have the capacity to build 100,000 units annually. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, Inc. (TMMC) which builds the Toyota Corolla and Matrix and the Lexus RX330 in nearby Cambridge, Ontario, will manage the plant. This new facility will boost Toyota's manufacturing employment in Ontario to about 5,600. more …