Rising stars from the east

摘要

Japanese carmakers lined up a remarkable display of concept models and advanced engineering for the automotive industry's final international shopwindow of the 20th century. But the announcement of the shock treatment necessary to bring the country's second-largest carmaker back to health cast a shadow over proceedings at the prestige Tokyo Motor Show. It was coincidental, of course, hut Nissan's acceptance that it is in dire straits seemed reason enough to banish all the press day razzmatazz which usually sets this event apart. Despite the efforts of an army of beautiful "companion girls" to extol the virtues of the latest cars and environment-friendly technology; the usually vibrant halls of the Makuhari Messe remained strangely subdued.