NISSAN AND THE BEIJING TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION CENTER LAUNCH INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Beijing Transportation Information Center (BTIC) jointly announced today that they have co-developed - “STAR WINGS” - an innovative prototype navigation system based on the concept of an intelligent transportation system (ITS). The system allows vehicle-to-infrastructure communication to ease traffic congestion..
The system provides drivers with information on the quickest route to their destination calculated using probe data collected from taxis. The input data is routed to the BTIC server to be processed into relevant traffic information. Employing telematics, the data is then delivered to the driver’s navigation monitor in the form of real-time maps indicating current traffic flow conditions. The system helps drivers in Beijing to avoid the most congested roads and contributes towards easing traffic conditions in the city.
Nissan and BTIC begun conducting tests on the ITS in Beijing from January 2007. Results from the tests show that the ITS was able to cut down commute times by an average 20%.
BTIC represents one of the largest probe data systems in the world, with information collected from about 10,000 taxis. In Japan, Nissan implemented the probe data system in its ITS test program by receiving probe data from taxis in Yokohama city, starting in September 2006.
Star Wings Prototype: Infiniti FX
Navigation screen showing the quickest route
The Beijing system is considered the most advanced system available through combining the most sophisticated ITS expertise from Nissan with the most dense probe data from BTIC. Nissan and BTIC will host a test-drive and demonstration of the system at the ITS world conference in Beijing from October 9th to October 13th 2007.
BTIC and Nissan plan to implement the ITS in preparation for the Beijing Olympic Game in 2008. BTIC intends to incorporate the system into its taxi network, while Nissan will study the potential opportunity to equip a select fleet of vehicles in Beijing with the system. The project is aimed at easing the elevated traffic congestion expected during the Beijing Olympic Games. Looking ahead, BTIC and Nissan will study the potential to expand the ITS to other cities in China.
The system provides drivers with information on the quickest route to their destination calculated using probe data collected from taxis. The input data is routed to the BTIC server to be processed into relevant traffic information. Employing telematics, the data is then delivered to the driver’s navigation monitor in the form of real-time maps indicating current traffic flow conditions. The system helps drivers in Beijing to avoid the most congested roads and contributes towards easing traffic conditions in the city.
Nissan and BTIC begun conducting tests on the ITS in Beijing from January 2007. Results from the tests show that the ITS was able to cut down commute times by an average 20%.
BTIC represents one of the largest probe data systems in the world, with information collected from about 10,000 taxis. In Japan, Nissan implemented the probe data system in its ITS test program by receiving probe data from taxis in Yokohama city, starting in September 2006.
Star Wings Prototype: Infiniti FX
Navigation screen showing the quickest route
The Beijing system is considered the most advanced system available through combining the most sophisticated ITS expertise from Nissan with the most dense probe data from BTIC. Nissan and BTIC will host a test-drive and demonstration of the system at the ITS world conference in Beijing from October 9th to October 13th 2007.
BTIC and Nissan plan to implement the ITS in preparation for the Beijing Olympic Game in 2008. BTIC intends to incorporate the system into its taxi network, while Nissan will study the potential opportunity to equip a select fleet of vehicles in Beijing with the system. The project is aimed at easing the elevated traffic congestion expected during the Beijing Olympic Games. Looking ahead, BTIC and Nissan will study the potential to expand the ITS to other cities in China.
Mazda Reports First Quarter Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2007
- FY2007 full-year forecast on track -
FY2007 First Quarter Highlights
- Consolidated sales revenue increases by 11 percent year-on-year to 814.3 billion yen
- Consolidated operating profit up 9 percent year-on-year to 32.3 billion yen
- Investment for the future steadily increasing
Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its financial results for the first quarter (April to June) of fiscal year (FY) 2007.
Mazda’s first quarter consolidated sales revenue increased by 11 percent year-on-year to 814.3 billion yen and consolidated operating profit increased by 9 percent to 32.3 billion yen. Favorable exchange rates contributed to the higher revenue. Consolidated operating profit rose from the effects of a weaker yen and successful cost cutting initiatives although these were partially offset by greater investment in R&D and higher depreciation costs. Consolidated ordinary profit fell 12 percent to 21.2 billion yen resulting primarily from forward exchange contract accounting effects caused by the depreciating yen. Consolidated net income was down 62 percent to 2.5 billion yen. Although ordinary profit and net income were down year-on-year, both figures are within planning assumptions and were budgeted at the beginning of the financial year.
Mazda’s first quarter consolidated global retail volumes were down one percent to 323,000 units compared with the same period in FY2006.
On a geographic basis, retail sales volumes in North America* reached 108,000 units, a 6 percent increase year-on-year, due mainly to the sales growth in Canada and Mexico. Retail sales in Europe progressed at a similar rate to last year -- when Mazda surpassed 300,000 unit sales for the first time in the 15 years since 1991 -- to reach 78,000 units. Mazda retail sales in Japan were down 7 percent, to 57,000 units, as a result of the drop in demand for registered vehicles. In China, local production of Mazda brand vehicles in Hainan Province ceased, resulting in a 44 percent decrease in sales of Mazda brand vehicles to 16,000 units. However, excluding the volume of Hainan-produced vehicles, Mazda3 sales pushed the retail volume up in China by 26 percent compared to the prior fiscal year. In other markets, the retail volume grew 15 percent to 64,000 units, with strong contributions from healthy sales of the CX-7, BT-50 and Mazda3.
Financial Projections for FY2007
Mazda’s financial forecasts for the full fiscal year remain unchanged. As announced on April 27, 2007, Mazda is forecasting a global retail volume of 1.35 million units in FY2007, a 4 percent increase over FY2006. Consolidated sales revenue is projected to increase by 2 percent to 3,320.0 billion yen. The outlook for consolidated operating profit is for an increase to 160.0 billion yen, up by one percent, and consolidated net income is forecast to increase by 15 percent to reach 85.0 billion yen.
Mazda Representative Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CFO, David E. Friedman, said, “Going forward, we are aiming for steady growth. During the first quarter under the Mazda Advancement Plan, sales in North America and Europe continued to be brisk. Following the successful launch of the all-new Mazda2 in Japan, we will be rolling out this exciting new car in Europe and other regions within this fiscal year. Our increased investment for the future and inventory streamlining initiatives are also progressing according to plan.”
* Mazda’s figures for North America include Mexico and Puerto Rico
FY2007 First Quarter Highlights
- Consolidated sales revenue increases by 11 percent year-on-year to 814.3 billion yen
- Consolidated operating profit up 9 percent year-on-year to 32.3 billion yen
- Investment for the future steadily increasing
Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its financial results for the first quarter (April to June) of fiscal year (FY) 2007.
Mazda’s first quarter consolidated sales revenue increased by 11 percent year-on-year to 814.3 billion yen and consolidated operating profit increased by 9 percent to 32.3 billion yen. Favorable exchange rates contributed to the higher revenue. Consolidated operating profit rose from the effects of a weaker yen and successful cost cutting initiatives although these were partially offset by greater investment in R&D and higher depreciation costs. Consolidated ordinary profit fell 12 percent to 21.2 billion yen resulting primarily from forward exchange contract accounting effects caused by the depreciating yen. Consolidated net income was down 62 percent to 2.5 billion yen. Although ordinary profit and net income were down year-on-year, both figures are within planning assumptions and were budgeted at the beginning of the financial year.
Mazda’s first quarter consolidated global retail volumes were down one percent to 323,000 units compared with the same period in FY2006.
On a geographic basis, retail sales volumes in North America* reached 108,000 units, a 6 percent increase year-on-year, due mainly to the sales growth in Canada and Mexico. Retail sales in Europe progressed at a similar rate to last year -- when Mazda surpassed 300,000 unit sales for the first time in the 15 years since 1991 -- to reach 78,000 units. Mazda retail sales in Japan were down 7 percent, to 57,000 units, as a result of the drop in demand for registered vehicles. In China, local production of Mazda brand vehicles in Hainan Province ceased, resulting in a 44 percent decrease in sales of Mazda brand vehicles to 16,000 units. However, excluding the volume of Hainan-produced vehicles, Mazda3 sales pushed the retail volume up in China by 26 percent compared to the prior fiscal year. In other markets, the retail volume grew 15 percent to 64,000 units, with strong contributions from healthy sales of the CX-7, BT-50 and Mazda3.
Financial Projections for FY2007
Mazda’s financial forecasts for the full fiscal year remain unchanged. As announced on April 27, 2007, Mazda is forecasting a global retail volume of 1.35 million units in FY2007, a 4 percent increase over FY2006. Consolidated sales revenue is projected to increase by 2 percent to 3,320.0 billion yen. The outlook for consolidated operating profit is for an increase to 160.0 billion yen, up by one percent, and consolidated net income is forecast to increase by 15 percent to reach 85.0 billion yen.
Mazda Representative Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CFO, David E. Friedman, said, “Going forward, we are aiming for steady growth. During the first quarter under the Mazda Advancement Plan, sales in North America and Europe continued to be brisk. Following the successful launch of the all-new Mazda2 in Japan, we will be rolling out this exciting new car in Europe and other regions within this fiscal year. Our increased investment for the future and inventory streamlining initiatives are also progressing according to plan.”
* Mazda’s figures for North America include Mexico and Puerto Rico
Mazda to Deliver Rotary Hydrogen Vehicle to Japan's METI
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the company is to deliver one dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine (RE) vehicle to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) on August 1, 2007. The dual-fuel system enables the driver to select either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch. METI will use the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in its daily operations. The delivery to METI will mark the eighth hydrogen rotary engine vehicle to be leased to government bodies and private enterprises and the first time that Japan’s central government has adopted a hydrogen vehicle for its daily operations.
Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Seita Kanai, Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of R&D, said, “Based on Mazda’s unique hydrogen technology, we have been advancing research and development of hydrogen vehicles for over 15 years as part of our initiatives for a future hydrogen society. We are extremely pleased to be delivering this RX-8 Hydrogen RE to METI. Hydrogen rotary engines demonstrate the still untapped potential of internal combustion. Going forward, we will continue to develop vehicles for hydrogen rotary engines and improve their performance in order to contribute to the realization of an eco-friendly, hydrogen-based society.”
Mazda has been developing the hydrogen rotary engine since 1991. By burning hydrogen, the engine produces only trace amounts of carbon dioxide, one of the primary causes of global warming. Mazda conducted public road testing of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE in 2004. In February 2006, Mazda received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and became the first company in the world to commercially lease hydrogen powered rotary engine vehicles. The vehicles delivered to date have been showcased at public events and used in daily operations. Mazda’s RX-8 Hydrogen RE has been praised for the outstanding convenience of its dual-fuel system and for its balance between eco-friendliness and exhilarating performance that only an internal combustion engine can provide.
Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Seita Kanai, Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of R&D, said, “Based on Mazda’s unique hydrogen technology, we have been advancing research and development of hydrogen vehicles for over 15 years as part of our initiatives for a future hydrogen society. We are extremely pleased to be delivering this RX-8 Hydrogen RE to METI. Hydrogen rotary engines demonstrate the still untapped potential of internal combustion. Going forward, we will continue to develop vehicles for hydrogen rotary engines and improve their performance in order to contribute to the realization of an eco-friendly, hydrogen-based society.”
Mazda has been developing the hydrogen rotary engine since 1991. By burning hydrogen, the engine produces only trace amounts of carbon dioxide, one of the primary causes of global warming. Mazda conducted public road testing of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE in 2004. In February 2006, Mazda received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and became the first company in the world to commercially lease hydrogen powered rotary engine vehicles. The vehicles delivered to date have been showcased at public events and used in daily operations. Mazda’s RX-8 Hydrogen RE has been praised for the outstanding convenience of its dual-fuel system and for its balance between eco-friendliness and exhilarating performance that only an internal combustion engine can provide.