Japan's concept cars - the craziest of the noughties

By Alex Michaelides Motor Shows 19 August 2009 10:00 Here we are, celebrating the best cars that Japan has produced, but what about the ones it hasn’t? At many motor shows – and particularly ones in its back yard – the Japanese industry serves up some wild concept cars which boggle the brain and tickle the ribs. It’s hardly surprising that few of them hit the mainstream.

Skoda Fabia concept

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 06 March 2007 03:50 Skoda looks to the Mini for Fabia body kit Expect to see some Mini-inspired styling cues on Skoda's new Fabia, taken from this concept car unveiled today at the Geneva show. Tucked in a corner alongside a rally car concept, the funked-up Fabia had a silver roof and door mirror caps; although not yet officially confirmed for production, officials reckon the new look will make it to showrooms, unlike a Fabia Scout faux-by-four, which was ruled out. The Fabia goes on sale in May for around £8000.

White House pushes automakers toward 54.5-mpg target by 2025

The White House is pushing automakers to agree by Wednesday to a corporate average fuel economy target of 54.5 mpg by 2025--a figure 1.7 mpg less than the 56.2 mpg standard it floated earlier this month. The easing of the White House plan stems from a concession to makers of light trucks and SUVs, and particularly larger vehicles in that segment, such as Ford's F-150, sources said. The latest White House proposal, the most definitive of any it has put forth, calls for a 5 percent annual mileage increase for cars from 2017-2025, said industry and congressional officials who asked not to be named because their discussions with the White House are confidential.