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Japanese automakers ramping production for renewed American sales

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan took quite the toll on the automotive industry in that nation. Not content to lean on that tragedy as excuse for slagging sales, the Japanese automakers are planning on a major production expansion in North America. The aim is to reclaim the market share lost from the Tsunami-based dip, and overcome a dollar/yen exchange rate that makes exporting to America unprofitable.
Following the Tsunami, Japanese automakers ramped up production in their North American facilities to compensate, but according to Automotive News, Nissan, Honda and others have all reported plans for still-further increased production in the year ahead. As part of this ramp-up, Mazda will open a facility in Salamnca, Mexico before March of 2014. Part of that increase in output is 50,000 units of a Toyota-badged compact car, which Mazda will produce.
Other Mexican production facilities opening include a Honda plant, which will open in Spring 2014 in Celaya, and a Nissan plant, set to open later this year in Aguascalientes. Nissan also said that it will need another plant in North America within the next five years. According to Nissan Boss Carlos Ghosn, the company aims to raise its stake in the US market from 8 percent to 10, and adding production will help achieve that goal. Even Mitsubishi is aiming to boost production at its Normal, Illinois plant. Production of the Outlander Sport is currently at 50,000, which Mitsubishi wants to raise to 70,000.

Hyundai Tucson Adventuremobile ready for camping at SEMA

A troop of customized 2016 Hyundai Tucsons will be making their way to the company's SEMA Show display in Las Vegas, NV, this year, and now there'll be one more in attendance, too. Joining hardcore offroad and high-horsepower takes on the crossover is the Adventuremobile from tuner John Pangilinan for those that love the outdoors but still need a vehicle to commute to work during the week. The Adventuremobile has everything for a camping excursion. There's no worry about where to rest in the wilderness thanks to a roof-mounted tent that sleeps two, and solar panels keep electronics topped up. An LED light bar should mean no problems finding the perfect spot, either. Even the cabin is a comfy place for a drive to the campsite with an upgraded stereo and Katzkin leather upholstery. The crossover looks rugged thanks to a coat of army green paint, but this tuned Tucson keeps the rest of the mods fairly realistic for the average adventurer. For a little added ability offroad, there's a 1.5-inch suspension lift and Toyo Open Country A/T II tires on some Rays wheels. The powertrain also gets some small tweaks with some new plumbing by AEM and a Magnaflow exhaust. The whole package seems like a great tool for spending a weekend in the woods. JOHN PANGILINAN CREATES TUCSON ADVENTUREMOBILE FOR SEMA FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 19, 2015 – John Pangilinan, the renowned Southern California tuner known for creating vehicles that blur the lines between lifestyle and automotive, has released details on his 2016 Tucson SEMA build. Dubbed the "Adventuremobile," the vehicle blends Hyundai's new crossover platform with a passion for the great outdoors, perfect for the weekend getaway. The car will be revealed at Hyundai's SEMA press conference on November 3 at 11:30 a.m. PT, in Las Vegas. The "Adventuremobile" is just as home on the daily commute as it is lugging gear up into the mountains for the weekend out of town. Most obvious is the addition of a Treeline Tamarack roof-top tent, with ample room to sleep two campers, and Goal Zero solar panels to power all of their accessories. The exterior has been beefed up with the addition of an Aries bull bar and side steps, Rigid Industries LED lights, and the vehicle has been finished in a BASF army green paint scheme by Strasse Sport. A custom 1.5-in.

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf earns IHS Loyalty Award, people actually care about the environment

The Nissan Leaf has earned the IHS Automotive Loyalty Award. It won the award for best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car, and it is the only plug-in vehicle to earn the Loyalty Award. IHS Automotive analyzes loyalty and gives the award for vehicles that bring households back to buy the same make or model. "Our Leaf fans are some of the most loyal customers in the world, and we're thrilled to see that validated with this IHS award," says Toby Perry, marketing director for the Nissan Leaf. Read more at Hybrid Cars or in the press release below. A new study shows that environmental benefits could be more influential than money when purchasing EVs. The study, called "Altruism, Self-Interest, and Energy Consumption," found that subjects conserved more energy when reminded that it helps air pollution than when they were only told it would save them money. This is despite more subjects saying that they thought messages about money would be more influential at the beginning of the study. Researchers attributed the results to the dual benefit of clean air to oneself and to others. See the study at the PNAS website and read more at Green Car Reports. Group Bollore will receive government backing to build a nationwide EV charging network in France. The French conglomerate will spend $172 million to build 16,000 semi-fast chargers over the next four years. "Wherever you are on the map there will be at least one recharging point every 40 kilometres (25 miles)," says Bollore. The network will also provide wifi hotspots and carpooling services. Bollore's Blue Solutions division also already operates EV carsharing services and is working with Renault to build EVs in France. Read more at Reuters. Nissan LEAF only plug-in vehicle to receive 2014 IHS Automotive Loyalty Award NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following a record-breaking sales year in 2014, the Nissan LEAF continues to earn praise and was named the best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car in the annual IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards. The all-electric LEAF – the only plug-in vehicle to be included in the IHS Awards – received this honor during the Automotive News World Congress at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards are presented annually to automakers and brands that demonstrate a manufacturer's ability to retain owners over repeat buying cycles. They are the only fact-based awards of their kind in the industry.