Tokyo - Japanese carmakers are using their automotive show in Tokyo to introduce new electrical cars in the absence of foreign competitors.

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show, which was opened to the press Wednesday and is to open for the public Saturday, has been demoted to a regional show this year in the wake of the global economic crisis.

Its participant list numbers 108 companies, the lowest ever. Only three are foreign firms: Germany's Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH and Britain's Group Lotus PLC and Caterham Cars.

The big carmakers from Europe and the United States are staying away, preferring instead in this time of tightening belts to participate in the Shanghai Motor Show in April as car sales surge in China's dynamic market but languish in Japan.

For Japan's car companies, however, it's business as usual at their home car show. As in years past, they are unveiling whimsical, futuristic concept cars that not only aim to be friendlier to the environment but also stress the fun of driving.

Hybrid cars continue to be a popular trend, but the focus of this year's show has turned to emissions-free electrical cars.

Nissan Motor Co was exhibiting its fully electric Leaf family car, which is to come out at the end of next year in Japan, the United States and Europe and is to be mass-produced around the world by 2012.

The Leaf, as the world's first affordable, emissions-free car, would cause a furor in the car industry, Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn predicted.

"The race for zero emissions has begun," the chief executive said.

Japan's third-largest carmaker is also exhibiting its Land Glider, a two-seater in which the passenger sits behind the driver in the cocoon-like car whose wheels can tilt up to 17 degrees on curves, much like a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, Nissan's bigger rivals, Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co, announced plans to expand their palette of popular hybrid models, such as Prius and Insight, while also venturing into the electrical age.

Toyota presented its FT-EVII, a 2.7-metre-long electrical car just a bit shorter than its already available iQ mini at 2.9 metres.

Honda, which had long been sceptical about electrical cars, preferring instead to develop fuel-cell technology, has changed course and announced the introduction of an electrical car, EV-N, into the US, Japanese and European markets.(dpa)