 Image search results - "messe" |
About the Tokyo Motor Show...Makuhari Messe is near Kaihin Makuhari Station on the Keiyo and Musashino Lines. The huge show occupies the entire Makuhari Messe consisting of the North, East, Center, and West Halls, and Event Hall. Admission was 1200 yen. The show sees over 1.4 million visitors.
Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show." The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year. 2005 is actually the 50th anniversary of the motor show.
In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center where it would remain until 1987 when it moved to Makuhari Messe in 1989. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.
In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000. The motor show for passenger cars and motorcycles would continue to be held every two years from 1999. So there would be a Tokyo Motor Show every year, but the purpose would alternate between passenger cars/motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
During the 1st motor show in 1954, when most of the vehicles displayed were for commercial use, the attendance was 547,000. In 1963, it exceed 1 million over 16 days. It hovered around 1.4 million in the years following. The record attendance was attained in 1991 with over 2 million visitors during 15 days. In 2003, the total attendance was 1.424 million.
In 2000, at the first Tokyo Motor Show dedicated to commercial vehicles, attendance was a mere 177,900 over 5 days. In 2004, attendance was 248,600 over 6 days.
The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times. Their hairstyles, wardrobe, skirt length, make-up, etc. The Tokyo Motor Show is not only a showcase for cars, it is also a fashion showcase. Therefore, in this online photo gallery, you will see not only cars, but also women. Enjoy!
|
|
Toki Messe's tower is the city's tallest building at 140 meters.
|
|
Toki Messe is a multipurpose complex which includes a convention center, exhibition hall, hotel and office tower (the city's tallest building), art museum, and an observation deck on the 31st floor.
|
|
The observation deck is about 125 meters above the ground. The tallest building along the Sea of Japan coast. Fine view of Shinano River.
|
|
In the foreground is Bandaibashi Bridge, spanning Shinano River.
|
|
|
|
Too hazy to see Sado island.
|
|
Toward the mouth of Shinano River.
|
|
|
Ferry to Sado island.
|
|
The best-looking lady at the show...A Lambo of course. Lamborghini, everyone's all-time, ultimate dream car. (Besides Speed Racer's Mach 5.) This is the Murcielago.
|
|
|
|
|
Fishing boats
|
|
|
|
|
Central Niigata
|
|
Lamborghini MurcielagoNo price was listed. But if you have to ask, then it's too expensive.
|
|
Lamborghini MurcielagoOnly with a Lamborghini would I tell any pretty woman standing in front of it to move away so I can see and photograph the car better. Actually, I'm not that rude, so I just waited until she went away.
|
|
Lamborghini Murcielago. Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show.&quoThe best-looking rear at the show...
|
|
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year.The Murcielago attracted more attention.
|
|
Toyota stage. In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center.Toyota had a large spread in the Center Hall.
|
|
Toyota Fine-X. In 1989, the show moved to Makuhari Messe. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.All the major car makers showed concept cars or prototypes. This one is by Toyota. All four wheels can turn. Makes it easy to parallel park in tight spaces, but how do you steer it?
|
|
Toyota Fine-XThe driver's seat swivels outward.
|
|
Toyota i-swingA single-seater, reminds me of a Segway with a seat. Controlled with a joystick and shifting your body weight. It has 3 wheels. If they don't allow Segways in Japan, I wonder if they would allow this on Japanese streets. Would it need a license plate? And would we need a license to operate it?
|
|
Toyota i-swingI waved to her, and she waved back...
|
|
Nissan Pivo with swivel topElectric car with a top that swivels 360˚ so you can drive forward or back without turning the car around. Seats three people. The driver sits in the middle.
I waved to her, and she waved back...
|
|
Nissan Pivo
|
|
Nissan booth
|
|
Nissan GT-R Proto
|
|
Honda Sports 4 ConceptI like this picture.
|
|
Honda Sports 4 Concept
|
|
HondaThis is what she looks like up close.
|
|
Honda Sports 4 ConceptI smiled at her, and she smiled back...
|
|
Honda W.O.W. ConceptHonda had nice women posing, but I was hoping they would bring out the Asimo robots to introduce the cars.
I smiled at her, but she never noticed me...
|
|
Suzuki LC. LC stands for Life Creator. These girls were dancing and hopping around the car before they settled down and posed.
|
|
Suzuki LCI looked at her, and she looked at me. I didn't wave, so she didn't wave...
|
|
Suzuki IonisA real ballerina-type model danced in front of the car. I like this picture.
|
|
Subaru 360 (from 1958). Nicknamed "Ladybug."
|
|
Subaru R1 and Subaru 360The new ladybug meets the old.
|
|
Subaru Impreza WRC 2006 PrototypeIn 2004, Subaru won the Rally Japan 2004 (the first FIA WRC hosted in Japan). The car was driven by Petter Solberg. It is a race on public roads.
|
|
Subaru
|
|
Daihatsu HVS
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
Daihatsu SK-Tourer
|
|
Daihatsu SK-Tourer
|
|
Daihatsu. I smiled at her, and she smiled back...
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
DaihatsuDaihatsu had the best show performance. The models and performers wore a variety of costumes.
|
|
DaihatsuA show worth seeing twice.
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
Daihatsu
|
|
Mitsubishi Motors
|
|
Mitsubishi Motors
|
|
Mitsubishi MotorsShe attracted a big crowd of snapshooters and oglers.
|
|
Kia Sports ConceptFirst-rate model who knows how to smile.
|
|
Kia MotorsA crowd favorite. Kia (not her name) is from South Korea.
|
|
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
|
|
Ferrari F430 SpiderLamborghini set out to build a better car than Ferrari, and he attained his goal. I like Ferrari (especially the Testarossa), but I like Lambo better.
|
|
Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleCorvette, but why no Camaro at the show too?
|
|
Chevorlet Corvette Z06
|
|
HummerShe was charming...
|
|
General Motors Cadillac STS-VI yearn for the days when Cadillac had more elegant car names like Fleetwood, Eldorado, and Seville. Now it's all three-letter names. I can hardly remember them. And the cars look so ugly (in my opinion).
|
|
Rolls Royce Phantom
|
|
Porsche 911 CarreraRed was definitely the most popular car color at the show.
|
|
Porsche
|
|
SLR McLarenBest-looking car with gills.
|
|
BMW Z4 Coupe ConceptMatte paint finish, no gloss.
|
|
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
|
|
Volkswagen
|
|
Volkswagen Golf
|
|
Volkswagen
|
|
OpelYes, some girls don't need to smile to look good.
|
|
Clarion. The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times.I approached her and she struck this pose instinctively.
|
|
ClarionDefinitely Miss Photogenic.
|
|
PanasonicAnother nice one.
|
|
PanasonicAwful costume I thought.
|
|
Fujitsu
|
|
Alpine + iPod
|
|
AlpineShe had horde of photographers crowded in front of her. But she managed to find me and smiled.
|
|
Honda S600 (1964)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s. This Honda was from 1964.
|
|
Toyota Corolla (1967)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s.
|
|
Daihatsu BEE (1951)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s. Three wheels.
|
|
Harley-Davidson VRSCD Night RodNice curves...
|
|
Harley-Davidson FLST Heritage SoftailWorld premiere of this bike.
|
|
Harley-Davidson. In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000.
|
|
Harley-Davidson FXDI 35th Anniversary Super GlideWorld premiere of this bike.
|
|
Kawasaki MotorcyclesKawasaki had a bevy of leggy beauties promoting their cycles. They didn't dance, but served well to attract attention.
|
|
Kawasaki ZZR 1400 ABS motorcycleI looked at her and she smiled.
|
|
Kawasaki MotorcyclesOne of the best-looking motorcycle models.
|
|
Kawasaki MotorcyclesI wasn't one of them.
|
|
Honda Motorcycles
|
|
Honda E4-01 motorcycle
|
|
Honda E4-01 motorcycle
|
|
Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle
|
|
Yamaha MotorcyclesYamaha's booth was the most elegant in the motorcycle section.
|
|
Suzuki Stratosphere motorcycleSuzuki put on a great show with a bunch of girls doing hip-hop dancing.
|
|
Suzuki MotorcyclesSuzuki put on a great show with a bunch of girls doing hip-hop dancing.
|
|
Suzuki Motorcycles
|
|
Yamaha MotorcyclesAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
|
|
Honda MotorcyclesAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
|
|
|
|
