AUTOMOBILES
Production base of 1,500,000 vehicles
Kyushu is called “car island”, due to the large area of automobile industries concentrated here.
The scale is expanding every year, with annual production volume reaching 1,000,000 units *1 in 2006. Further growth to 1,500,000 units is expected by 2009.
*1The actual production volume total of Nissan Motor Corporation Kyushu Plant, Toyota Motor Kyushu, and Daihatsu Kyushu Corporation in 2006.
Kitakyushu allows easy access to production bases of vehicle manufacturers and major automobile parts manufacturers. A number of automobile companies are concentrated here since the city has various logistic and functions including an international trade port, the Port of Kitakyushu, and the 24-hour operating Kitakyushu Airport.
Changes in automobile production volume in northern Kyushu
| 2004 |  |
770,000 units |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  |
900,000 units |
| 2006 |  |
1,010,000 units |
| 2007 |  |
1,080,000 units |
| 2009 |  |
1,500,000 units (Estimated) |
Production bases for complete vehicles in the northern Kyushu
| Base | Production capacity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Motor Corporation Kyushu Plant | 530,000 units | * The largest Nissan production base in Japan * Production models: Teana, Murano, Presage, etc. |
| Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant | 120,000 units | * Scheduled to begin operation in February 2009 * Production models: Elgrand, Quest |
| Toyota Motor Kyushu Miyata Plant | 430,000 units | * Production base for hybrid vehicles * Production models: Lexus RX, IS, ES, etc. |
| Toyota Motor Kyushu Kanda Plant (Engine Factory) | 440,000 units | |
| Toyota Motor Kyushu Kokura Plant (Parts Factory) |
- | * Scheduled to begin operation in 2008 * Products: transaxles for hybrid vehicles |
| Daihatsu Kyushu Nakatsu Plant | 460,000 units | * Production models: Mira, Hi-Z, Atrai, Be-go, etc. |
| Daihatsu Kyushu Kurume Plant (Engine Factory) |
200,000 units | * Scheduled to begin operation in 2008 |
Investigated by Kitakyushu City
Research & development bases for car electronics
Currently, there is a growing need for electronic parts in the automobile industry for engine and auto body control. Technological innovation is in great demand, focusing on safety, environment, and comfort.
Approaching such a need in the automobile industry, Kitakyushu opened a car electronics center in July 2007 to promote industry-academic cooperation, recruit human resources, and establish technology development systems. A comprehensive approach to the automobile industry resulted, in addition to the existing manufacturing area. The role of Kitakyushu in automobile industries is expected to grow further.
Examples of research & development
- Basic ergonomic examination of shapes/placements/functions of various switches used in automobiles
- Development of power generation devices to send tire monitoring information
- Improvement of vehicle operational safety by integrating multiple in-vehicle sensors and applying a driver's psychological profile.
- Development of systems to follow images, which is resistant to changes in the visual environment
- Development of biological systems to detect alcohol on the breath of drivers
- Study of safe design guides and form validation for functionally safe in-vehicle systems
- Study to develop large-scale in-vehicle software
Outline of the Car Electronics Center
