Today, automobiles have become deeply rooted in our society and our lives as a means of tremendously convenient transportation, and they have become an integral part of various societal activities.

In order to make automobiles that will benefit the people and society of the 21st centry, we must overcome obstacles to environmental protection and energy resource conservation. I believe these are the issues that will present the greatest challenges to technology toward the 21st century.
	Flame propogation in a conventional center plug engine.

Mazda Motor Corporation is striving to make its environmental technology R&D program successful by keeping two slogans in mind "clean and efficient" and "ecological recycling". Clean and efficient refers to engines. We are reducing hazardous chemicals in exhaust emissions significantly and promoting efficient use of energy. Development of the innovative, Miller-cycle engine as well as a full, lean-burn engine with a new 3-way catalyst are examples of these technologies. The slogan clean and efficient covers short-to-mid-term and long-term approaches. By the way, the Mazada Millenia that is equipped with a Miller-cycle engine, has just been introduced in Canada.

Surround combustion research engine uses three peripheral spark plugs to ignite a lean mixture beginning at the edges and moving to the center, where a fourth plug fires during acceleration to prevent knocking.

Short-to-mid-term R&D covers efficient use of energy including fossil fuels and alternative fuels such as natural gas, methanol and LPG.

Research and development on electric vehicles is also an important issue that is underway as a mid-to-long-term program. Since 1966, Mazda has developed electric vehicles and introduced more than 80 electric car units including recent Miata-based electric vehicles. Electric vehicles, however, still have battery problems. Although we have been testing various types, we have found nothing more promising than the existing nickel cadmium battery when we consider capacity, weight, life and cost.

Our long-term programs for the 21st century focus on clean energy in place of fossil fuels. We are placing emphasis on a clean car that uses renewable hydrogen energy for the "post-oil" era. Our confidence in hydrogen vehicles is based on the high compatibility of hydrogen with our rotary engine (Photo) and the development of our safe, durable and efficient metal-hydride fuel tank (Photo).

Mazda has recently started a monitoring test (see 1 Year Test Project) at Nippon Steel Corporation's Hirohata Works to observe practicality using a new hydrogen prototype based on the Mazda Capella Cargo (626 station wagon).

The Miata that you will take the wheel of today is also one of our test cars. This model's exhaust (Illustration) emission level is below one half of the U.S.A.'s ULEV standard.

To make the hydrogen vehicle viable, we must further improve the metal-hydride to increase running distance. But, the bigger issue is social infrastructure for hydrogen fuel supply. The Agency of Industrial Science and Technology of Japan, one of MITI's agencies, introduced a New Sunshine Plan last year. The core of the program is the WE-NET project, Canada is considered a strong candidate among possible sources for hydrogen energy. According to this project, start-up of the pilot system will begin 10 years from now after basic technologies such as hydrogen production, transportation and storage are developed. The program targets the general hydrogen use at approximately the year 2020.

Awareness of hydrogen energy will gradually increase. This is one of the reasons that Mazda and Mazda Canada are currently undertaking this ride and drive project. We understand that increasing the awareness of the public is a very important step in making the technology successful, and we are beginning this process now. We sincerely hope that the media will help increase public awareness of hydrogen as a viable and clean energy source of the future, and we are devoting ourselves to making our hydrogen vehicles viable for practical use before the end of the century.

Now let me refer briefly to the second slogan -- ecological recycling. Mazda has been using two approaches to promote recycling issues; new material development and vehicle design. One of the highlights of recycling technology is our unique, repeatedly-recyclable, plastic composite with liquid-crystal polymer fiber. The HR-X2, which has an easy to separate vehicle structure, will be virtually 100% recyclable when our new plastic material is used practically.

Environmental harmony -- this is a basic concept but a major challenge for us, and I believe it is the passport to making automobiles in the 21st century.

Thank you very much.