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The Street
The Street
Kirk O’Neil

Tesla Japanese rivals debut concept vehicles in latest challenge

Most Japanese automakers have been slow to enter the all-electric vehicle market, which doesn't bother Tesla's CEO Elon Musk one bit. The lack of a serious challenge by the Japanese auto industry, including in the luxury market, has allowed Tesla (TSLA) -) to dominate deliveries in the global market by hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

Toyota currently only offers one all-electric vehicle, the bZ4X, which retails for about $42,000 and has a 252-mile range. The company's luxury affiliate Lexus does not have an EV on the market yet.

Related: Mounting financial woes force rival of Tesla and BYD into bankruptcy

Subaru's only contribution to the EV industry is the Solterra SUV, which retails for about $45,000 and has a 220-mile range.

Nissan, on the other hand, was an innovator in the EV industry with its launch of the Leaf in 2010. The vehicle was the first mass-produced electric vehicle in the world and the top selling EV on the market in its first four years. However, the company's luxury brand Infiniti may not have an EV on the market until 2026.  

Some of the leading Japanese luxury automakers, led by Nissan's Infiniti, Toyota's Lexus and Subaru, will reveal their latest battery electric vehicle concepts at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo beginning Oct. 24. The show will be open to the general public from Oct. 28 through Nov. 5 after a couple of press and special invitation days.

Subaru Sport Mobility Concept sportscar model.

Subaru

Subaru reveals electric sportscar concept

Subaru (FUJHY) -) said it will showcase the company's vision of future mobility and communicate its efforts to strengthen its bond with society, as company president Atsushi Osaki on Oct. 25 unveils the Subaru Sport Mobility Concept sportscar model at the show.

"This concept model expresses the enjoyment that Subaru offers in the age of electrification, embodying the pleasure of going anywhere, anytime, and driving at will in everyday to extraordinary environments. Driving with peace of mind allows us to embark on exciting new adventures. This is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) concept that evokes the evolution of the Subaru Sport values," the company said in an Oct. 10 statement.

Subaru's other all-electric showcase at the show will be its first all-electric vehicle, the Solterra ET-HS SUV.

Toyota (TM) -) also arrives at the show for an Oct. 25 unveiling of its Lexus lineup of battery electric vehicle concept models, as part of its goal to transform into an all-electric brand by 2035. Lexus is expected to debut a sports car that it has teased for a year, as well as a sports hatchback, Electrek reported.

After viewing the Lexus concept models, guests are invited to try out the company's "Lexus Electrified VR Experience" virtual reality driving simulators, the company said in an Oct. 11 statement. The exhibit will allow visitors to experience a future world of driving where electrification and artificial intelligence technologies help cater to individual customer needs and connect with society. Guests have the opportunity to fully engage in a VR-exclusive setting, enabling them to encounter the personalized driving experience and enhanced lifestyle that Lexus delivers.

Infiniti unveils its Vision Qe Concept vehicle. 

Nissan

Infiniti unveils its first electric vehicle 

Nissan's (NSANY) -) luxury brand Infiniti on Oct. 24 will debut its first all-electric model, a new concept Vision Qe electric vehicle at the Japan Mobility Show that it expects to be ready to sell to the public in 2026.  Infiniti will also showcase other new models at the show as well. 

The newly designed Infiniti EV sedan is expected to have a longer wheel base with shorter overhang, new headlight and taillight design, single light strip across the width and a rear resembling a Porsche. The company has said it plans to produce its first electric vehicle at its Canton, Miss., factory, along with a new crossover EV.

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