1. Vehicle Instrument Panel
2. Instrument Panel Cluster
3. Custom Instrument Panels

At the Tokyo Motor Show 2015, held under the auspices of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, commercial vehicles (trucks, buses and vehicle bodies) as well as passenger cars were exhibited. The 44th show theme 'Your heart will race' is based on the concept of 'Technology + Fantasy' and expresses the organizers' aspiration to provide a venue that delivers exhilarating experiences to visitors. Four heavy-duty truck manufacturers and 11 truck body builders (excluding small truck body builders) exhibited their commercial vehicles and trailers at the Motor Show. Among them, three commercial vehicles, namely the Hino Profia hybrid heavy-duty truck, fully-redesigned Isuzu Giga heavy-duty truck and Hino fuel cell route bus, made their world premiere. UD Trucks Corporation displayed an all-electric medium-duty truck prototype. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation's Canter-based power supply vehicle was exhibited to demonstrate the use of hybrid systems.

The truck body builders exhibited trailers with extended platforms and vans with metal panels (in place of resin panels). These trailers and vans conform to the revised safety regulations. Japanese truck market is picking up! Production and sales are steadily recovering In recent years, the Japanese truck market has been gradually picking up. In 2014, the market sentiment substantially improved.

This is because shippers' businesses took a favorable turn amid the economic recovery in Japan and the favorable move caused ripple effects on the business conditions of the logistics industry where the market for trucks has been the largest. In line with the market situation, demand for new trucks has increased after it bottomed out in 2009.

In 2014, production, sales and the number of owners of medium- and heavy-duty trucks (payload capacity: 4 tons or more) were also on recovery in Japan despite a slump, following the demand surge before the consumption tax hike. The number of newly registered trucks in Japan for 2014 increased by roughly 20% year-over-year to 88,000 units. By class, sales of heavy-duty trucks (payload capacity: between 10 and 15 tons) grew. By load-carrying platform, sales of cooler and refrigerator trucks as well as dump and mixer trucks increased while sales of wing body trucks remained flat. Sales of flatbed trucks slightly decreased.

Truck terminal regaining momentum to some extent Cluster of trucks waiting for freight In Japan, the number of hours, days and years for which trucks are used are on the rise. Meanwhile, the aging of truck drivers and security of the workforce are challenges to the industry. An increasing number of customers are placing more emphasis on the management of capacity utilization by the support of telematics or event data recorders to improve the utilization ratio. The items that customers place emphasis on when purchasing a truck include fuel economy, costs, payload capacity, safety, and confidence in manufacturer. (Source: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japan Auto-Body Industries Association Inc., and Japan Automobile Dealers Association) Amid growing demand for trucks in Japan due to the preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and economic recovery, this report summarizes the trucks exhibited at the Motor Show. Manufacturers unanimously promote their trucks, emphasizing the following selling points at the Show 1) Ensure cost efficiency by downsizing engines and improving fuel efficiency 2) Ensure environmental friendliness and safety through performance improvement and securement of quality and reliability 3) Total service support to ensure high capacity utilization.

Among the four heavy-duty truck manufacturers, Hino Motors, Ltd. Was the only manufacturer that displayed its exhibition theme simply in Japanese. President Ichihashi of Hino stressed that the company's pursuit of 'quality, durability and reliability' is indispensable to trucks and buses at the briefing.

Hino exhibited six vehicles-including trucks and buses that made their world premiere, and the truck that competed in the Dakar Rally 2014-and two engines at the Motor Show. Hino used display panels to demonstrate its advanced technologies for environment-friendly and safety devices as well as its service support. Hino Motors' booth Press briefing by President Ichihashi Profia Hybrid heavy-duty refrigerator truck (world premiere) Japan's first hybrid heavy-duty truck Designed under the concept of 'pursuing fuel efficiency for heavy-duty trucks running long distances,' the Profia Hybrid heavy-duty truck incorporates Hino's hybrid technology, which boasts long years of proven reliability. This refrigerator truck also has a hybrid electric refrigeration system, which was developed by Hino and Denso Corporation in February 2014. Hino's hybrid technology is used not only for vehicle traveling but also to power the hybrid electric refrigeration system. The Profia Hybrid is also equipped with various features for better aerodynamics, and a waste heat recovery power generation system to offer improved fuel efficiency.

The Profia Hybrid is capable of all-electric driving on flat roads. Platform: FW 4-axle low-floor vehicle; GVW: 25 tons; Engine: A09C, 8.8 liters, 360 PS, 150 kg-m at 1,100 rpm; Transmission: 12-speed AMT; Motor output: 90 kW Technology for improved fuel efficiency: Waste heat recovery power generation system This system does not discharge heat produced at the engine into the air, but collects the heat to generate electric power. The system charges the battery with the electric power for practical use. The electrically-powered refrigerator is placed neatly at the front end of the rear body. The refrigerator is visible behind the side skirt on the left of the vehicle. Converters are installed at the rear overhang. Technology for improved fuel efficiency: Components for better aerodynamics to lower fuel consumption = Components (1) and (2) are used to rectify airflow at the front and rear ends of the upper load-carrying platform.

(1) Wind deflector (The center section serves to rectify the current of air flowing into the refrigerator.) (2) Rear upper roof fin (3) Side and rear skirts and blade cross-section rear bumper Airflow is rectified at the lower sides, wheel housings and rear bottom of the vehicle. Rear bumper of blade cross section (4) Grille shutters The shutters close and open at grille openings in response to vehicle speed to control the volume of air flowing into the engine compartment. The shutters also control cooling performance and response to cold-climate environments. (5) Roundish front and corner panels that rectify the current of air flowing to the sides of the vehicle without corner vanes. ⇑ Shutters opened ⇑ Shutters closed Fuel-efficient, lightweight downsized engines A09C engine for heavy-duty trucks In-line six-cylinder, 8.8-liter, 360 PS, 160 kg-m at 1,100 rpm Since its launch in 2007, this engine has evolved, receiving acclaim for good gas mileage and high reliability. A05C engine for medium-duty trucks In-line four-cylinder, 5.1-liter, 250 PS, 85 kg-m at 1,400 rpm Based on the A09C, the A05C engine was downsized specifically for medium-duty trucks.

The world's first engine incorporating the Dimple Texturing on Liner Surface technology. A medium-duty truck fitted with this engine was launched on October 1, 2015. Dimple Texturing on Liner Surface: ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ (jointly developed with Nippon Piston Ring Co., Ltd.) This world's first cylinder liner production technology increases a vehicle's fuel efficiency by forming a dimpled surface on the cylinder liner's inner surface and reduces friction inside the engine. Hino's latest overseas model, 500 Series (cab chassis, Indonesia) As a commercially suitable vehicle, the Hino 500 Series was first introduced in the Indonesian market in January 2015 under the concept of delivering vehicles that 'meet various market needs outside Japan through modularization' in shortened lead times. The Hino 500 Series is primarily fitted with a J08E engine. Hino's 500 Series variants further include 4x2 and 6x4 models, and are adaptable for use as cargo chassis, tractor, dump and other construction equipment trucks. The truck in the photograph is the 500 Series 1628 6x2 with GVW of 16 tons, 280 PS and nine-speed manual transmission.

(Display panels) Vehicles that vary with markets are built near customer sites to meet various needs. Frame structure compatible with various fittings This frame features a grid hole design that provides fitting holes at regular intervals on its sides. This frame enables brackets to be shared for fixing different devices and auxiliary components. This frame also has a flat top surface. (Display panel for grid hole design).

Isuzu Motors Limited has been considering future trends and proposing new ideas of 'carrying.' President Katayama of Isuzu introduced business solution software (e.g. Mimamori telematics system) for improving the fuel economy and operating efficiency of vehicles at the briefing. Isuzu exhibited seven vehicles, such as the fully-redesigned Giga heavy-duty truck that made its world premiere, and six powertrains, including engines, at the Motor Show. Isuzu Motors' booth Press briefing by President Katayama Fully-redesigned Giga heavy-duty truck (world premiere) New Giga's interior and exterior This is a second-generation fully-redesigned model, succeeding the first-generation Giga that was launched in 1994.

The second-generation Giga was developed with the following five concepts in mind: drivers' comfort, fuel efficiency, total safety, loading capacity and remote assistance. The new Giga shares a large part of the cab frame and components with the Forward and Elf. As a result, the investment in molds and the development costs for the new Giga were reduced. The doors feature redesigned window trims and are fitted with convex under covers by bolts. The quarter panels are integrated with separate fenders.

As with the current model, the new Giga comes with a choice of four cabs, such as high-roof cab and bedless short cab. Parts, such as headlights and mirrors, are carried-over from the first-generation Giga. Front grille and peripheral components: The front grille is shaped like an inverted trapezoid and is separated into upper and lower segments. The front panel can be widely opened with a damper.

The fully-redesigned Giga has a new dashboard panel, cab mounts and tilt tubes. The hoses are neatly arranged along with the large intercooler radiator for higher cooling performance. The wide steps are positioned above the bumper to improve maintainability. New instrument panel: Although the same cab styling is used across trucks of all sizes, the sharing of the same instrument panel design between light/medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks makes heavy-duty trucks look cheap. Thus, Isuzu made a new instrument panel for the new Giga.

The new semi-round instrument panel provides all the switches near the steering wheel and has a 4-inch multi-information LCD monitor inside a cluster of meters to offer safe and easy driving. Acknowledged telematics system for commercial vehicles: Isuzu Mimamori (display panels) Vehicle operation information is communicated on-line. The Mimamori system uses the information to remotely analyze various data, such as vehicle condition, on the vehicles. With this system, Isuzu can offer various services, such as eco-drive advice and information on the state of the vehicle.

Isuzu can also offer a new support tool for the new Giga to secure stable vehicle operation. Exhibited model: CYJ 4-axle low-floor vehicle; GVW: 25 tons; Engine: 6UZ1-TCS, 9.8 liters, 380 PS, 185 kg-m at 1,000-1,200 rpm; Transmission: 12-speed Smoother Gx Fuel-efficient, lightweight downsized engine 'D-Core' The D-Core is Isuzu's next-generation, highly-efficient diesel engines designed to embody Isuzu's unique ideology, technology, and performance. 6UZ1-TCS (existing large engine) 9.8 liters, 380 PS, 185 kg-m at 1,000-1,200 rpm This is a compact, fuel-efficient, powerful engine which generates high torque even at low speeds with better fuel economy.

A new engine retarder is added (inside the red circle). Standard equipment includes a system which automatically stops the engine.

6NX1-TCS (next-generation large engine) 7.8 liters, 340 PS, 145 kg-m at 1,300 rpm This lightweight, compact engine ensures greater payload. The engine is equipped with a 2-stage turbo to provide highly-efficient turbo power at all speeds. Giga CNG-MPI (heavy-duty compressed natural gas CNG truck chassis) (reference exhibit) The Japan Gas Association has already developed a heavy-duty CNG truck prototype and has let a freight company drive the truck on a trial basis. Heavy-duty CNG trucks are being used in Europe, the U.S., China and Asia. Isuzu, as a truck manufacturer, began full-fledged development of its first heavy-duty CNG truck in consideration of energy savings, and will introduce it to the market in the future. The CNG-MPI Giga offers decreased CO2 emissions, low levels of NOx as well as almost non-existent levels of particulate matter (PM) during transport between cities.

It can be driven a distance between Tokyo and Osaka on one tank of fuel (800 liters). It is powered by a CNG-MPI engine that is based on the 6UZ1 engine. The exhibited model has eight tanks, including carbon fiber-made tanks, on its side frames. Installation of auxiliary components has not been enabled yet. Giga CNG truck (display panels). The theme for Mitsubishi Fuso's booth was 'Mitsubishi Fuso's intention to change for all customers!' With the intention of 'supporting customers' businesses' and 'supporting drivers who support Japan's physical distribution,' Mitsubishi Fuso divided its booth into two color zones: 'cool blue zone' and 'hot red zone.'

Mitsubishi Fuso exhibited three models: one existing heavy-duty truck and two reference models (heavy-duty special-purpose truck and light-duty truck). Booth displaying vehicle with dark tone and fluorescent stripes Press briefing by Vice President Miwa Super Great V 2016 heavy-duty truck (production model) Interior and exterior of Super Great V 2016 model This is Mitsubishi Fuso's flagship model launched in the fall of 2015. This heavy-duty truck is suitable for long distance transport, offering good gas mileage on highways. The Super Great V 2016 model achieves a 4 to 5% improvement in actual fuel economy over the predecessor (in terms of km per liter). No change was made to the interior and exterior of the cab. The Super Great V 2016 model comes with the Eco-Drive package for improved fuel efficiency and environmental performance. This truck is equipped with the 'Automatic Drivetrain Cut-off System,' which reduces fuel consumption in an inertial drive mode, and 'Optimized Auto-cruise Control' for optimized gear-shift timing as described in the lower left panel.

Exhibited model: FU (6x2) 3-axle vehicle; GVW: 25 tons; Engine: 6R10, 12.8 liters, 380 PS, 185 kg-m at 1,200 rpm Panel illustrating measures to increase fuel economy This panel illustrates how the Eco-Drive package model improves its fuel economy by 4 to 5% as described above. The Eco-Drive package model is a variant added to the 12-speed Inomat-II model lineup. Panel promoting Mitsubishi Fuso's transportation management system TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is actively promoted in Europe. This management system calculates lifelong costs by adding the three operating costs with other costs. The system then evaluates the calculated results. VALUE PARTS Many parts used in vocational trucks are consumables.The Value Parts displayed here are secondary genuine parts that are authorized by Mitsubishi Fuso to meet customers' needs.

These parts offer a compromise between quality and price. (Secondary genuine parts are distributed at discounted prices with their parts numbers altered in consideration of business custom although they function virtually the same as genuine parts.) Super Great V 'Spider' (reference exhibit) Canter power supply vehicle (reference exhibit) This concept model for the Motor Show projects the image of a multi-functional, powerful 'work vehicle.' This FV tractor-based concept model is equipped with four knuckle boom cranes, manufactured by Palfinger AG, Austria (Simultaneous operation of the cranes is not allowed). This light-duty truck is based on the Canter Eco Hybrid. The Canter power supply vehicle can generate 9.9 kW using its hybrid motor, and can supply power for up to 13 hours. The theme for UD Trucks' booth was 'UD Trucks' vision for the future.' Achieving Smart Logistics means providing customers with solutions for a sustainable, safe and profitable transport.

The truck manufacturer exhibited three models, including one existing model. Through these models, the company promoted improved fuel efficiency and minimum environmental impact, outstanding drivability and safety, and high uptime and productivity. Partial view of UD Trucks' booth Quon production model: CD, 6x2 heavy-duty truck; GVW: 25 tons; Engine: GH11, 11 liters, 350 PS, 147 kg-m at 1,200 rpm; Transmission: ESCOT-V 12-speed AMT Press briefing by President Murakami The FH 6x4 tractor (no photograph), developed by the Volvo Car Group (the parent company of UD Trucks), was exhibited next to the Quon. Quon Vision (tractor concept model) This concept model represents one of UD Trucks' symbols for its future vision. UD Trucks used the Quester (overseas model) to represent the image of the Quon Vision. UD Trucks, however, gave no further details on the concept model in terms of futuristic appeal and advanced technology. Since the Quon Vision is nothing but an image, no mechanical elements and auxiliary components were observed.

GH11 engine + Escot-V (12-speed electronically-controlled transmission) These powerline components are fitted on the Quon production model to lower fuel consumption and improve efficiency. The GH11 engine is based on the D11 in-line six-cylinder engine, mounted on Volvo Trucks' vehicles worldwide. The D11 engine underwent modifications; the shape of its combustion chamber and other sections were modified to suit the Japanese market. The GH11 engine is available in four horsepowers, ranging from 320 to 420 PS.

Vehicle Instrument Panel

Specifications of the main engine for cargo models: 11 liters, 380 PS, 175 kg-m at 1,200 rpm The GH11 engine is combined with the Escot-V 12-speed electronically-controlled transmission to achieve a 4% improvement in actual fuel economy. The powertrain further reduces fuel consumption with new features, such as the Economy E/D mode with cruise control and acceleration limiter as well as the Escot Roll for releasing the engine brake while coasting down hills. UD Electric Demonstrator fully electric emission-free truck (experimental motor-driven vehicle based on the Condor medium-duty truck) The UD Electric Demonstrator is powered by a full electric driveline (high-output small motor 130-150 kW + two-speed electronically-controlled transmission) that was developed by the Volvo Group and optimized for a medium-duty truck. The truck has lithium batteries (600 V) on both frame sides. The motor, DC-DC converter, motor-driven inverter, charging unit and the transmission are in the center of the vehicle. Truck body builders displayed their exhibits at a joint booth in a small outdoor area, held under the auspices of the Japan Auto-Body Industries Association.

The Hanover IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Germany is centralized by the German Association of the Automotive Industry that is empowered as a representative of the show. As a result, truck body builders are treated equally with vehicle manufacturers, and their products are splendidly exhibited along with commercial vehicles.

On the other hand, the truck body exhibition at the Tokyo Motor Show was small in scale and was less appealing to visitors than the commercial vehicle exhibition. No truck show is held in Japan; therefore, the Tokyo Motor Show is the sole opportunity for Japanese truck body builders to exhibit their products. Under the circumstances, only 11 companies (excluding small truck body builders) participated in the Motor Show. They exhibited products that improve transport quality. Some examples of the products that were exhibited were trailers with extended platform length, which comply with revisions made to the safety regulations in 2015, and reefer vans with metal panels. Trailers compliant with revised safety regulations In 2015, Japanese authorities revised the Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles to rationalize transportation and relax restrictions.

At the previous Tokyo Motor Show, some truck body builders exhibited container trailers that had already complied with the revised regulations. In the revised regulations, extension of the length of trailer platforms is permitted. Two companies exhibited trailers with extended platforms. (1) Win Gace Trailer (reference exhibit) by Nippon Fruehauf Company, Ltd.

Yesterday, I purchased a 2008 Isuzu NPR HD diesel. There is no owner's manual with the truck and I haven't been able to find anything online. There are some buttons on the instrument panel that I don't know what they are for.

Instrument Panel Cluster

Custom Instrument Panels

There are 5 buttons on the left side of the steering wheel and I think 2 of them have something to do with a PTO. On the right is one button that I think has something to do with the exhaust brake, however the lever on the steering column seems to turn the exhaust brake on and off. At least, the lever turns an indicator light on and off.

Can anyone identify these buttons? My apologies. I said Coolant Temp, but it is for the Engine Oil. Level, pressure, temp, or oil life monitor perhaps?After reading your first post, I started the truck, then pressed and held the Engine oil button, and a light with the same icon came on in the instrument panel, then after holding the button for a while, the light went off, and now it doesn't come back on at all. I assume it's an oil life monitor, and I reset it. And, when I turn on the PTO, the engine rpm changes, and I can speed it up with the upper button. I assume this truck may have a PTO, but I haven't looked for it, and there is no need for it, because it does have a box on it.

The top left makes sense for work lights, but there aren't any in the box. I'm not sure what the function of the ODO button is. I couldn't see where it changed anything.