The Tokyo Motor Show is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, and normally sees more concept cars than actual production car introductions which is the reason why the auto press see the show as one of the motor show's big five (along with Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Paris).
The show, then called All Japan Motor Show was first held in an outdoor venue called Hibiya Park, the show was considered a success with 547,000 visitors over ten days and 254 exhibitors displaying 267 vehicles, but of the amount of vehicles only 17 of them were passenger cars as the show was dominated by commercial vehicles. In 1958, due to construction of a subway and underground parking lot near Hibiya Park, the show was shifted to the Korakuen Bicycle Racing Track. The show, as the previous year was marred by heavy rain, in 1959 the event moved indoor to its newly opened Harumi Showplace venue which was three times the size of its previous venue.
Onward from 1973, as the organizers decided not to host a show for the following year due to the international energy crisis and the show became a biennial event. The show relocated to its current venue, the Makuhari Messe in 1989 and due to high public demand for vehicles in everyday use and the fact concept cars dominate the show, the show returned to being an annual event from 2001 to 2005 with a show for passenger cars and motorcycle and another for commercial vehicles for the following year. However from 2007 onwards the event has once again returned to a biennial schedule which combines both passenger and commercial vehicles, including motorcycles and auto parts.
Gran Turismo is well known for many concept cars and production cars made in Japan which were intially introduced at this show.
Cars in Gran Turismo Debuting at The Show[]
- Isuzu 4200R Concept '89
- Mitsubishi HSR-II Concept '89
- Suzuki Cappuccino (EA21R) '95
- Nissan SKYLINE GT-R V • spec (R33) '97
- Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type-I) '01
- Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type-II) '01
- Mitsubishi CZ-3 Tarmac '01
- Nissan GT-R Concept (Tokyo Motor Show 2001) '01
- Nissan GT-R Concept LM Race Car '01
- Toyota Pod '01
- Daihatsu Copen Active Top '02
- MINI COOPER S '02
- Mitsubishi i Concept '03
- Nissan GT-R Proto '05
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package '07
- Subaru IMPREZA WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) '07
- Bugatti Veyron 16.4 '09
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV '09
- Subaru IMPREZA WRX STI spec C '09
- Toyota FT-86 Concept '09
- Honda CR-Z α '10
- Lexus LFA '10
- Nissan Leaf G '11
- Toyota 86 GT '12
- Scion FR-S '12
- Subaru BRZ S '12