After so many years, the much-awaited 41^st Tokyo Motor Show that took place late October through the first week of November 2009, was participated by automakers and their only visitors are two powerhouse European carmakers, Alpha and Lotus which fashioned out a remarkable display of great rides.

Due to financial debacle that gripped and affected global economy, top American and European begged off from participating in what is considered to be the Asia’s largest showcase of great motoring experience. Even top Korean car makers decided to skip the spectacle.

Held at the Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls in Chiba, Japan, this year’s edition will be considered the smallest since the show began in 1954, revealed by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the event’s organizer. Although, this year’s number of participants had dwindled to its lowest in so many years, expectations are geared toward the Japanese Automakers to give the industry the much-needed lift it needs.

A twist was hatched and initiated in this year’s conclave of fierce car maker competitors, instead of highlighting great technological innovation and advancement in auto making, Japan’s top automakers diverted on alternatives, displaying topnotch cars that are eco-friendly yet packed with great punch, ala Manny Pacquiao, pug-in hybrid electric vehicles are cinched to dominate the show as well as the roads in the years to come.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are literally charged by plugging it to an electrical outlet.

Mitsubishi Motors provided the fireworks early this year when the company paraded a production version of the Mitsubishi Innovative. Electric Vehicle of iMiEV versions of this kind of cars was unleashed in Japan, and versions of these vehicles will soon be made in the future. iMiEV are battery powered, zero-emission and has a compact four-seater.

Another Mitsubishi brand of car is the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which is designed with similarities to both SUV and Sedan. It boasts off two motors and has plug-in hybrid system that is expected to be economical. Also employing Mitsubishi’s all-new Super All Wheel Control that has electric powered Active Yaw Control. The vehicle automatically shifts torque to the rear and right wheels when it encounters worse road conditions.

Another notable hybrid plug-in model is the i-MiEV Cargo Concept, which is packed with a cube-shaped luggage compartment at its rear. Versatile as its name suggests, this type of car is expected to meet the demands from using it for business, leisure and for recreational purposes. The world’s largest automaker is not to be outdone; Toyota Motors will be presenting its very own plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is the Prius.

The Prius Concepts has similarities with that of the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the current Prius, but instead of nickel-metal hydride battery pack, lithium-ion battery, which are smaller, lighter and could hold more electricity.

Nissan Motor prides itself with its own version of hybrid plug-in car as it unveiled the “Leaf,” a five-seater, hatchback electric car and it is tipped to be launched by volume production by late 2010.

Leaf was engineered and built to be affordable, and could be a force to reckon with in auto making in the coming years, where zero-emission is tipped to be a dominating factor.

Integrating regenerative braking system and lithium-ion battery that is expected to travel a driving range of more than 160 km while full charge.

Honda also responded to the challenge of the auto show’s theme. Honda’s CR-Z Concept 2009 which is set to be unveiled and groomed to be a sporty hybrid type. Using a 1.5 li gasoline engine combined with the updated version of Honda’s popular Integrated Water Assist System, this car is armed with the world’s first six-speed manual gearbox that Honda built to produce the best mileage and providing driving excitement at the same time.

My eighth hub in the November HubChallenge (third batch)...