Japan

German automaker BMW has announced the introduction of an exclusive limited edition 7 Series V12 Bi-Turbo in Japan. Powered by 554 HP coming from its twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12, this Japan exclusive 7 Series sports an M aerodynamic package that comes with dark chrome finish for the exhaust tailpipes and kidney grille and 21-inch V-spoke alloys wheels. Inside, the German flagship vehicle will greet its Japanese cos... (continue reading >>)

The BBC World Service has released the 2013 edition of its annual Country Ratings Poll, which surveyed over 26,000 people in 25 different countries. [ more › ]

BBC Country Ratings Poll: China and Japan much less popular, North Korea stable

<a href="http://www.valetmag.com/the-edit/morning-report/052413.php?rss"><font color="#dadada"><img src="http://www.valetmag.com/gr/daily/the_edit/052413/art-morning_report_180x120.jpg" align="left" border="2" /></font></a> Summer's best suits, shopping in Japan and handsome wooden architecture.

On the very first day of the Caribbean Cup 2013 four national freediving records were set including a very solid performance by Ryuzo Shinomiya of Japan. Despite the swell and choppy conditions Shinomiya surfaced from 56m no-fins dive to receive a white card and a new Japanese title on May 23rd. Other accomplishments included another Mexican record for Alejandro Lemus with a pull down to 67 meters free immersion, as well as a brand new Columbian record for event organizer Carlos Correa who posted a clean free immersion dive to 55 meters. Announced performances for Day Two include some big dives from Will Trubridge and William Winram, as well as a couple of national record attempts from Walid Boudihaf and Iru Balic so stay tuned for more results and follow the action on twitter #CaribCup2013 . Photo © Lia Barrett The post Freediving Records Set on Day One of Carib Cup 2013 appeared first on DeeperBlue.com. Related posts: New Records from Greece at the Med Freediving Cup Nitsch and Trubridge: Two World Records Bennett and Benitez set a Pair of Freediving Records at Vertical Blue

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler will miss the Tokyo Motor Show for the third time running. The &lsquo;big three&rsquo; from Detroit have not shown at the Japan event since 2007. Poor sales figures have been cited, but the carmakers initially turned down the invitation back in 2009 due to the onset of the Global Financial Crisis. Last year, Ford sold just 3952 cars in Japan while GM could manage only 2732 sales (1255 sales for Cadillac, 1477 for Chevrolet). Chrysler fared slightly bette... Read more The Motor Report is Australia's fastest growing auto website. Click through to read the full article.

It has been hinted at since last year, but now it’s official. Yesterday, Ford Australia finally announced the intention to cease its local manufacturing operations, ending production at the Broadmeadows and Geelong plants in October 2016. The closure will directly affect around 1,200 jobs at the two plants. Production in Australia has been around since 1925, the company first assembling Model Ts in Geelong, Victoria. Ford Australia currently assembles the Falcon, Falcon Ute and the Territory SUV. The SZ Territory’s primary export market is New Zealand, though it is also being exported to Thailand in small numbers. The decision on ending local manufacturing was driven by increasingly challenging market conditions, including market fragmentation and the high cost of manufacturing. Ford losses in Australia in the last five years have totaled approximately AUD$600 million. The company announced an after-tax operating loss of AUD$141 million for the 2012 financial year. This follows a loss of AUD$290 million in 2011. Since November 2012, production has slowed from 209 vehicles per day to 148 vehicles per day, due to a lessening demand for larger vehicles. Nonetheless, the company said that plans to launch updated versions of the Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory in 2014 will continue. Despite the end to local production, Ford’s presence in the country will remain significant, and Australia is currently one of four product development hubs for Ford globally. The Australian product development team – more than 1,000 strong – has been responsible for designing, engineering and testing global vehicles, including the Ford Ranger. The post Ford Australia to close production plants in 2016 appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News. Related posts: Ford Escort Concept – production version rendered Import duties on cars from Japan, Australia to be reduced in stages to zero by 2016 – MITI Production European Ford EcoSport SUV revealed FPV Pursuit Ute, GT RSPEC on Ford stand in Sydney Mazda ends 20 years of US production, Ford to take over Flat Rock, Michigan plant Ford Territory – the SZ heads off to Thailand Ford to cease Aussie production by 2016, report says Toyota’s total vehicle production tops 200 million units Ford Focus – ASEAN production begins in Thailand Ford to end Phillipines production, close Santa Rosa plant by end of 2012

At least nine cars were torched and two schools and a police station were set ablaze as riots swept through Stockholm's immigrant-dominated suburbs early Friday for the fifth straight night, police and firefighters said. The riots, which have shattered Sweden's image abroad as a peaceful and egalitarian nation, have sparked…

Britain's newspapers on Friday paid tribute to the soldier brutally murdered in a suspected Islamist attack in London and demanded that the preacher suspected of radicalizing suspect Michael Adebolajo be jailed. It was revealed on Thursday that the soldier, who had served in Afghanistan, was 25-year-old Lee Rigby, known as…

Two elderly South Korean women forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels on Friday abruptly cancelled a meeting with Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto after he refused to withdraw remarks asserting the brothel system was "necessary" at the time. Hashimoto sparked a firestorm of criticism at home and abroad when…