The Tokyo Motor Show has long been the home to crazy concept vehicles and corporate posturing to try and gain press and positive spin for shareholders.  However this year there is more pressure than ever before on Japanese automakers to wow the press and their competitors with cutting-edge ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV) designs.

Toyota, of course, is leading the pack with it's hybrid technology.  They first unveiled the Toyota Prius concept at the Tokyo Motor Show back in 1995 and they've gained momentum that's made Toyota the biggest-selling automaker in the world.  Still, investors don't believe the future lies entirely with hybrids.  Super fuel-efficient diesel engines are another viable technology.  Nissan plans to launch its first diesel in Japan next year.

So what does this mean to us?  Not much right now.  But competition between big companies is a good thing for us as consumers.  Regardless of what technology they use, we should be seeing a lot more fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles arriving on our shores over the next few years.

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