This contest closed today, Wednesday, July 4th 2012 at 2 pm Eastern Time.
Please stay tune for the results.
I am not on a press trip. I am at a place off-limits to outsiders. Only a chosen few ever had access, under strict security measures. I am instructed that I will have to wear protective clothing. I will be under constant surveillance. Pressure, no presents. Find out where I am, and you can win an iPad that was given by someone else to another TTAC writer at another location.
The iPad is a 16GB White iPad 2, WiFi only. It is preloaded with a press kit. Hint: The press kit has nothing to do with the location where I am. Not even close.
From July 9 through 13, TTAC will run a five-part series based on the location in the picture. By way of this five-part series, readers of TTAC will receive unprecedented access. You will receive a behind-the-scene look, exclusive, never before published proprietary pictures, and a glimpse into the future
The contest ends July 4th, 2012 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
The location and the winner will be disclosed after July 4th, 2012 at 2 p.m. Contestants can submit multiple guesses. Only one guess per person after July 4th, 2012 at 10:02 am. Correct guesses will not be acknowledged before contest ends. Official Rules apply.
Deepwater Horizon oil platform
“I am not on a press trip. I am at a place off-limits to outsiders. Only a chosen few ever had access, under strict security measures. I am instructed that I will have to wear protective clothing. I will be under constant surveillance. Pressure, no presents.” Hmm…on the toilet after an all night bender?
My guess is something to do with testing electric cars that the regular press doesn’t get invites to, too often. From googling, I’ll guess the Ford Dunton technical center in Duntan, UK.
B.S., get out of that Japanese nuclear reactor or you’ll be glowing for life.
GM Warren Technical Center
To get Bertel near a General Motors center would require protective clothing in the form of a white straight jacket to get him in the door of GM.
Definitely points for the best laugh of the article.
Prius plant in Toyota City.
None even close.
Toyota’s top secret fuel cell laboratory where these nat gas fed peak oil supply-vs-demand gap fillers are researched.
Higashi-Fuji Technical Center
He is seeing president Hu Jintao speak in Hong Kong -OR- he is a pro-democracy protester 8^)
A medical care facility within another facility, perhaps Brazilian? Or getting a Brazilian?
I’m going with Volkswagen’s tech development center in northern California
The Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
Cold, very cold
Obamacare Test Facility, DC.
Fort Knox
Frau Schmitto-san’s doghouse.
Intel’s automotive innovation and development center
Saudi Aramco headquarters.
Baikonur Aerodrome, getting ready to test drive a Soyuz.
I will go with being at the Shibetsu Proving Grounds.
* Protective clothing as in helmet and race suit.
* Bertel spending a lot of time in Japan.
* All the Toyota buzz (GT 86, recent BMW-Toyota performance ties, fuel cells)
NEVS battery plant, where they are producing the batteries for a grand new generation of SAABs.
…pyeonghwa motor corporation’s joint venture facility in nampho, phyeongannamto…
North Korea
Nissan GT-R engine plant.
You’re at some sort of clean room in a semi-conductor plant in Asia that manufactures aautomotive computer chips or rare earth magnets. My other guess is that you’re playing American football today, but 1 guess is enough for today.
The curving ceiling suggests an aircraft interior. Could this be a ride in the reduced gravity aircraft (aka Vomit Comet)?
I am definitely not playing American Football today. Never did. Never. No soccer. No baseball. No sports.
One is a little closer ….
Korean DMZ
Television station somewhere in China?
A Renesas facility, observing chip production yield data. No?
Zum Himmel!!
Scheisse! I was going to say that… Although I don’t think that really fits to the pic.
An Ikea test market store?
Is it a Shaker room at an auto manufacturer?
(2nd Guess) Prius PHEV battery manufacturing facility.
Hyundai-Kia’s Namyang R&D Center
Tibet?
At the global consortium of automakers test lab that has made the perfect 6 speed diesel stationwagon? Watching PowerPoint slides on why they won’t release it. Your handouts must stay in the test lab. Someone had to say it.
Area 51, NV
And it’s time for Final Jeopardy. The Final Jeopardy category is just answer the question, ‘Where are you right now?’ Just write down where you are right now. It could be California, or a game show, or Earth, or the word “here.”
Or, write a number. It can be a one, a two, a three, or how about a four?
Area 51 wind tunnel?
Nice, however it would not surprise me if Area 51 has some kind of autonomous vehicle in the skunkworks. A drone car for Afghanistan, adding new meaning to the words ‘car bomb’.
Mountain Pass Mine, California (rare earth mining)
Foxconn factory
“(2nd Guess) Prius PHEV battery manufacturing facility.”
No.
Packing bags now.
The Infiniti hybrid-power labs? No? Ach, quatsch!
North Korea!
Are you at Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. , better known as Foxconn?
I’d say Akio Toyoda’s private car collection? But we already saw his personal Lexus LFA…
The big clue is the Japanese character in the background. Has to be some place within that region…
It looks like a Japanese gas station, except for the strange pump. From the color scheme, a Japanese BP electric charging station?
Walter White’s meth lab from “Breaking Bad”?
Large Hadron Collider, France
South-Korea Seoul, GM design center
Clearly Japan, since that kanji in the background looks like “Lift”.
I was going to say one of those stupid Better Place battery swap stations but then you said we’d get a glimpse of the future, not a load of wank.
a subaru facility in japan, im guessing in shinjuku tokyo, maybe looking at the 2013 BRZ?
From the comments you said are “a little closer” the only two making sense are:
– NEVS battery plant
– clean room in a semi-conductor plant
You dismissed my “battery plant” answer and my “fuel cell laboratory” answer. So the semiconductor remains.
The Doctor has right about the Japanese letter, obviously.
You’re touching something round, so touching it has to reveal some of its characteristics. Like temperature? Vibrations? The orange color in front of it likely symbolises the process happening inside it (heat?), and you try to experience its traces by touching the casing.
What new technology is researched in Japan that meets above criteria, is at least a bit ground breaking and is not battery/fuel cell?
Japan.
North Korea, the special economic zone near the South Korean border.
Probably some electronics manufacturing facility.
Either that, or in jail :)
Panasonic battery plant?
SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility, Toyota Beamline office.
I laughed at the Hadron supercollider guess, but i also realized that i need a hint. Does it have to do with cars?
The hard hat symbol means that’s your protective clothing. Hard hat area where Acura builds the NSX?
You are at the Ise Grand Shrine
Do they have a Gatorade Performance Center in Japan? Because it looks a lot like you’re on an exercise bike with a headband and other accoutrements to measure heart rate, etc. I’m gonna guess some sort of Japanese driver fitness training or evaluating center, but could no more name it than I could name a pharmacy in Kuala Lumpur.
You are in front of a private STD clinic in Seoul, South Korea’s red-light district for furries about to get yourself, Fozzie Bear, and Ray Wert a full battery of tests.
Best of luck!
Don’t hate Bertel because he’s beautiful.
The factory containing Toyota’s circular loom where they make their carbon fibre/composites?
In Japan, in a first-aid station/ hospital. Protective clothing are bandages, constant surveillance are the nurses.
The restricted access sounds like surgery. And in Japan, aftercare is usually still the hospital.
So you are having surgery.
If it’s not a hospital. Then I will guess to a Fuel Cell Development Lab. Either Toyota or Honda. Maybe also Mitsubishi beacause they are heading for hybrid and electric cars…Dammit this is tough.
Virgin Galactic spaceport
Nissan GTR production facility?
Minami-torishima island.
Possibly under water.
The Mustang Ranch?
Your’re in japan!
Ford car/truck proving grounds in Arizona.
You’re on Planet Earth. Please e-mail me for the address to send the iPad.
Where are you? Hmmm,pastel button down shirt,backward baseball cap,non-sunglass-tinted eyewear,Green Cross first-aid box. You sir,are at a rave chill-out station at some recently closed Japanese industrial park.
I’m guessing it started out professionally enough at the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of auto journalism,Toyota City’s Joyous Buttersoft Dashboard Plastics Research and Indulgence Facility #3E,Level A,Bifurcated Nitrosamine Lab,NW.But your guide’s(Keiko)club trash little sister Asuka showed up unexpectedly,and in vintage Dittos,no less.Hey,its one to tell the grandkids.Just relax,avoid listening to any dubstep,perhaps some Mr Little Jeans,M83,or The Byrds,you’ll be fine.
How do you know the letters are Japanese? They could be Chinese.
Bertel, surrounded by Chinese on board of CX521
Because the combo of the green first aid box and the font says Japan, not China.
You’re on an exercise apparatus and have a monitoring hookup of some sort, so I’m guessing you’re in a biomed research facility of some sort.
My thoughts also went to a clean room, but your’e obviously not in a clean suit.
The kanji could be Chinese but you said you were going to show us the future and, as far as I’m aware, the last original idea to come out of China was that you could support an economy through piles of copper.
I’m guessing this is still car-related since the framing of the photo suggests you’re posing next to something
Taiwan
Dang,just missed your comment after my post,or I would have replied and grilled you for details…On your flight from JAPAN,to Hong Kong.I also spend in L.A’s San Gabriel Valley,a Chinese expatriate mecca.That new pic with the hair net,smock,and mustache,gives me no new info.However it does remind me of the lunch ladies from my elementary school. It sure looks like a battery & bento box new technology yummy special funtimes! I’m guessing Building 20R?
The kanji look simpler than what is normally used in the Chinese language, and though he’s a popular character, I don’t think a Doraemon calendar would be found on the walls of a super secret Chinese facility. Now I just need to figure out which character you’ve got your hands on there as the hair profile does not match any character I recall in the aforementioned series.
You were in Japan, also your apparently photo-chromatic glasses show you might be in a place open to natural light.
This is my guess one: Nissan’s Secret Zama Operations Center
Might as well be Honda’s or Toyota advanced research / test facility.
So you spotted the second car powered by Mr Fusion…
Your flight must have arrived a couple of hours ago.
Honda – GE aircraft engine production…in Burlington NC
You say the press kit has nothing to do with the location where you’re at. But perhaps the iPad does. My first guess today is that you’re at a Foxconn factory in China where they make Apple products, for specificity I’ll guess the large one in Longhua, Shenzhen.
You are in one of Elon Musk’s production or testing facilities:
I want to guess Tesla since the battery is supplied by Panasonic and that might explain the Japanese character. Also, I believe tesla is using an ipad in the car somehow.
I also think it could be Space-X because of the protective clothing, if you are around rocket fuel or haz materials. They are also revolutionary, but I dont know what TTAC would be doing at Space-X.
The big touchscreen in the Tesla Model S is an Android-powered thing, not an iPad.
Protective clothing could be anything from a hard hat and closed shoes to a space suit.
You are in the Nissan factory where they are making Jukes into super cars.
Definitely Korean letters. You’re at Renault Samsung Motors?
You are visiting…
Nippon Steel Corporation
Technological Development Center
20-1 Shintomi, Futtsu City,
Chiba Pref. 293-8511, Japan
Are you going to show us the latest in SiC Wafer or Fuel Battery technology?
Hmm, somewhere in Japan for sure. Considering
Bertel’s apparent fondness for all things s&m I was
going to suggest night24’s studio somewhere in Japan.
But seriously the clue “TTAC will run a five-part series
based on the location in the picture” suggests something
automotive. I didn’t think Bertel was all that big a fan of
BEVs so i’d say battery factories are out. That leaves
just the mainstream car manufacturers, of which only
Toyota and Mazda have anything interesting these days.
Bertel has been giving us some pieces of Mazda news lately
so I’m going to guess Mazda’s SKYACTIV research center.
Full disclosure: I’m not a resident of north america so I can’t
win so anyone who wants to copy my guess is free to do so
You are at JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Probably looking at their satellites or NEXT (concord replacement). I know I’m pretty awesome at guessing. Sorry everyone else.
TOYOTA CENTRAL R&D LABS., INC. 41-1, Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1192, Japan
Kowloon YMCA
Donfeng Nissan Technical Centre, 12 Fengshen Road Huadu, Guangzhou, 510800, China
Ray Wert is going to get on you about tracking and kerning again.
GAC Toyota Motor Co. LTD. No.8, Huang Ge Duan, Shi Nan Rd., Pan Yu, Guangzhou.
Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant?
If that is all he is wearing for protective gear into Fukushima… I am concerned.
Your in front of a computer just like me.
3-1 Shinchi Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture 735-0028 Japan
Zoom Zoom.
Nissan’s Iwaki plant, near Fukushima reactor.
Osho frozen gyoza factory.
You are at the Chosun Computer Center in North Korea. Good Bye, Mr. Schmitt
Sungri Motor Plant Tokchon, North Korea.
Joint security area of the North South Korean Demilitarized Zone.
The Joint Security Area is located at WikiMiniAtlas
37°57′21.60″N 126°40′36.50″E / 37.956°N 126.676806°E / 37.956; 126.676806Coordinates: 37°57′21.60″N 126°40′36.50″E / 37.956°N 126.676806°E / 37.956; 126.676806 lying within the village of Panmunjom.
Mordor.
One does not simply iPad into Mordor.
I am going to say JARI Or Japan Automobile Research Institute. Not sure what division specifically but I would say….
ITS Research Division/FC-EV/JNX. 1-1-30, Shibadaimon, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-0012, JAPAN
The admin bodies are also located there.
Mitsubishi plant where they are manufacturing new batteries for the Pike’s Peak MiEV
Nissan’s all-electric Leaf plant >
Are you at the Lio Energy Systems battery manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China?
Nissan plant, Iwate prefecture. :)
Or you may be at the JARI Japan Automobile Research Institutes test track Shirosato
Located at.
1328-23, Takabeta, Osaka, Shirosato-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki, 311-4316, JAPAN
But really it is all part of JARI, so I wonder if that counts as one guess or two?
Pyeonghwa Motors, Nampo, North Korea
GS Yuasa Corporation, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
Guangzhou Honda Automobile Research and Development Co. LTD No.1, Guangben Rd., Huangpu district, Guangzhou.
Japan, obviously, not so much hinted by the characters written on the signs (could be Chinese, too hard to tell), but by the look of the flag/banner on the wall and what looks like the top of the head of some sort of giant cartoon mascot the Japanese are so fond of.
Bertel seems to have a good relationship with Toyota – I’d say he’s visiting the plant of Toyota’s partner Primearth EV Energy in Miyagi prefecture.
Foxconn
Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. in Nagakute, near Nagoya in Aichi, Japan.
Toyota Technical Development Cooperation Headquarters, 1-21 Imae, Hanamoto-cho, Toyota, Aichi, Japan
Im modifying my original guess to the Tesla battery source:
Suminoe Factory, Energy Company, Panasonic Corporation
1-2-63 Hirabayashi-Kita, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
What Bertel said:
“kimono”. That’s a giveaway. Kimono is Japanese. If Bertel was referring to China, he would have said “qipao”. Or “hanbok” for Korea. Bertel is too culturally astute to make that simple mistake.
“five-part series”. Somehow I don’t picture TTAC running a five-part series on nuclear reactors, semiconductor plants and LOTR:TFOTR references (nice one, Replica). So it’s got to be about cars, cars, cars, cars, cars
“a glimpse into the future”. This one is a red herring. Future could mean next year or next month. An early look at the 2014 pre-production models would constitute “a glimpse into the future”.
Whomever invited Bertel to this location has given “unprecedented access”. Obviously that must have been in return for publicity. So that suggests a company that wants to reach out to the readers of TTAC. That means a B2C. Not a B2B and not a pure research or educational entity.
Which only leaves mainstream car manufacturers. Either Toyota or Mazda are likely candidates. I’m betting on Mazda.
Location? Coordinates? Beats me.
You are over analyzing this I think.
I like your analysis.
Bertel says “a few came close to the secret […]” Only one person mentioned Mazda although “a few” mentioned Toyota related facilities.
But as a contrarian I am going to throw this into the ring: Mazda R&D Center, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima
Seems likely. You have to read the corporate iconology behind him. The text appears more Japanese than Chinese, though it’s hard to tell at this resolution, and the icons don’t seem the same as the ones Toyota or Mitsubishi use.
Hyundai plant
Ulsan, South Korea
Panasonic Automotive Systems Development Tianjin Co., Ltd. No.10, Huayuan Road, Economic Technology Development Zone
Tianjin, Tianjin 300457
China
I’m thinking Taiwan, some semi-conductor manufacturer there.
Possibly Taiwan Semiconductor in Hsin-Chu Science-Based Industrial Park, Taiwan.
However another possibility occurred to me. An automotive LED supplier.
Chi Ming Electronics, Zhubei City, Taiwan
Renesas chip plant in Japan
Panasonic Motor Zhuhai Co. Ltd.
No.115, Xinghua Road, Xiangzhou District
Zhuhai, Guangdong 519002
Mama san Wu’s home for wayward boys.
Nah, I think it is the local house of ill repute.
Miyoshi Proving Ground – Hiroshima, Japan
Latitude and Longitude : 34°47′52″N 132°52′1″E
You are riding in a 1982 Plymouth Sapporo with Murilee Martin somewhere in California. I hear cassette tape hiss in the background. And coughing.
This is going to be a little bit of an out there guess but I want to say that this is in Taiwan, possibly Yulon Motors/Luxgen?
The only thing I’m sure of is that you’re not in mainland China.
Mazda Ujina plant, Ujina District, Hiroshima, Japan
Illegal kidney transplant clinic in Hong Kong. Are you buying or selling?
The banner behind you looks what we see around gas stations, perhaps something to do with oil refiner company. Cold means something like CNG plant?
I was going to say Timbuctoo, California, near my old air force base, but according to the map, that’s not the case.
I’ll take a stab at it and say Okinawa City, Okinawa (formerly Koza City).
Enjoy an Orion beer while you’re there, just keep it ice cold as it is somewhat green…wish I had a couple! Brings back good memories from my time on Kadena supporting our missions with the SR-71 in the early ’70’s.
Honda Automobile R&D Centre (Tochigi) 4630, Oaza Shimo-Takanezawa,
Haga- Machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi-ken
Nissan Advanced Technology Center, 1-1, Morinosato-aoyama, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa
Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in Tsukuba. This is the center of Japan’s space network. It is involved in research and development of satellites and rockets, and tracking and controlling of satellites. It develops experimental equipment for the Japanese Experiment Module (“Kibo”). Training of astronauts also takes place here. Let me know when the iPad is on its way. =P
Yulon Motors Taiwan?
Protective clothing? any number of manufacturing places.
Green circle w/ white cross –> just medical care/first aid cabinet, probably in a common area for employees. What is that thing you are touching? Mascot-y. But room looks austere – a Toyota trait in the Nagoya area, specifically Toyota City in Aichi prefecture.
Austere except for that garish banner on the wall – again a Nagoya area trait.
“…TTAC will run a five-part series based on the location in the picture. By way of this five-part series, readers of TTAC will receive unprecedented access. You will receive a behind-the-scene look, exclusive, never before published proprietary pictures, and a glimpse into the future” –> Toyota City would probably keep you busy for a five-part series.
Yeah, maybe you’re in Toyota City. So, you’re in one of Toyota’s R&D facilities.
You’re at a Samsung semiconductor plant in South Korea where they build the Exynos ARM chip, and you’re going to see Android based in-car entertainment and communication systems.
Guangzhou Honda Motor (China) Investment Co.,Ltd Automobile R&D Center
Built in 2007 with a test track and the goal to develop a vehicle just for the China market by 2010; I don’t think they hit that date,
but are now ready to reveal info about this development.
This guess is based on the head of the mascot in the photo.
At the Lexus LFA assembly building. I see the oil filter housings and a cartoon of Toyoda San. What a relief. No? Zum teufel!!!!!!!!!!
Gib’s auf, Bertel. I can read the LFA which you guys pixelated on that wooden thingyama.
Come on, Bertel. I got it first. Motomachi. Figuring it out from the oil filter cover is a car ability. No I can’t figure out the street address or XY; an internet ability. I guess you guys are doing a piece on Toyota’s carbon fiber weaving processes getting more economically viable. The reason I say this is that when I sat in LFA I was most impressed by the thin A pillar. Oh well, I never win anything, anyway. Goodbye cruel world.
kuozui motors in Taiwan?
Toyota’s Lexus LFA production facility.
Lexus LFA production facility
Lexus LFA production facility –
Toyota Motor Corporation Motomachi plant (Toyota City)
Coordinates: 35°4’19″N 137°7’59″E
Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation, 1 Motomachi, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture 471-8573
the edit function failed me.
Btw if I win, I’m sending this to my father who is in the USA. I do know the wooden thing translates to warehouse of some type.
On the right you can barely make out the front of a car of some type. I’m just not recognizing it.
35.077455878126 137.12916718021
Toyota Motomachi Plant , Toyota , Aichi , Japan
Plant where the LFA is manufactured
I can’t use street view at work but I think these are slightly better coordinates
35.072055878126 137.13316718021
I can’t use street view at work but I think these are slightly better coordinates
35.072055878126 137.13316718021
Lexus LF-A assembly plant:
Toyota Motomachi plant, Toyota City
3-60 Nishimachi, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken 471-8501
Takanezawa R&D Plant – Where they built the original NSX
2021-5 Hoshakuji, Takanezawa, Shioya District, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Ieie.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&ll=35.08263,137.156174&spn=0.002436,0.003449&t=k&z=18
Toyota City Office, downstairs. Just off Lida highway. I like that Akio Toyoda likes his own cartoon!
Haven’t got a clue as to street address.
BYD Shenzhen Yanfa Center
3001号 横坪公路
Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
35.067675,137.128129
Hyundai Eco Technology Research Institute, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 446-912, South Korea
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Development Department
MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower 20F, 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 212-8554 Japan
Tel: +81-44-520-5260
Fax: +81-44-520-5263
GRMN
Higashi-Fuji Technical Center
Onjuku 1200 Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture 〒 410-1193
Some place where they built cars which can only be purchased used because those vehicles are out of production and the facility has been repurposed for a new function.
Hondajet engine plant?
My iPhone typing finger just tells me… Hold on… That this guess was made by my mom who lives in USA.
Hmmmm must have something to do with Toyota and racing
Sheezus, Bertel. I just called Lexus and all they have is Motomachi, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Even they don’t have the street address. You are a hard master, Bertel.
Toyota technocraft
4-8-3 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Lexus LFA plant. Motomachi, Toyota Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Japan?
Latitude = 35.0737, Longitude = 137.1300
http://ameblo.jp/kanekochihiro/entry-10774165587.html
See the Wooden sign
35.077169,137.125533
35.066302,137.130913
Toyota Technocraft Co. LTD
507-50 Shintakara town Tokai, Aichi Prefecture 〒 476-0005
Motomichi Plant where the LFA is assembled (this building)
35.077169,137.125533 (〒471-0855, Aichi Toyota, 7, Kakimotocho 3-Chōme, Japan)
Behind the Toyota Century Hotel, and a block down the street from the McDonald’s.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=35.077169,137.125533+(%E3%80%92471-0855,+Aichi+Toyota,+7,+Kakimotocho+3-Ch%C5%8Dme,+Japan)&safe=on
SAAB North Korea Electric Car Research and Development Center
Pyongyang, NK
Kitty-chan Puro Rando, Tokyo.
35.076945, 137.128193
My guess: 35.073064,137.132877
LFA oil filter cover was dead giveaway. You got the LFA Works tour, eh?
http://www.lexus-global.com/craftsmanship/index.html#../magazine/meetTheElite02
1, Motomachi, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
35.075007,137.128955
Toyota Hirose Plant
Nishi-Hirose-cho Kirigabora, 543, Toyota City, Aichi-ken 〒470-0309
35°9’51″N 137°12’31″E
You are aboard the Red October, and we sail into History!
Objective covers approximately 10,000 sqm. Place aiming reticle in front of door to win.
35.075483,137.129921
Go inside, aim
35deg 4’31.83″N
137deg 7’48.28″E
Please don’t turn it into a lottery.
LFA production facility at Motomachi, Aichi Prefecture; Japan – 35.067694,137.128158
a flat guess: 35.077167 by 137.125534
I’m with topgun, LFA fab facility, it jives with the cleanroom decor, what with the carbonfibre manufacturing. Maybe an LFA derivative, or gasp… a Hybrid LFA with astronomical torque figures, and a pricetag to match.
coordinates: 35.067694, 137.128158
Gazoo Racing.
35.075615, 137.132258
Motomachi Plant Entrance: 35° 4′ 31.90″ N 137° 7′ 53.47″ E
Here is a picture of it: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20133209
35.075931, 137.132227
+35° 4′ 33.35″, +137° 7′ 56.02″
LFA Works
Toyota Motor Corporation Motomachi plant (Toyota City)
Aichi, Japan
Coordinates: 35°4’42.28″N, 137°8’10.41″E
LFA carbon fiber assembly plant, Toyoda City, Japan.
Toyota Motor Corporation
LFA Works (Motomachi Plant)
1 Motomachi, Toyota, Aichi Prefecture 471-0854, Japan
Behind this door you will find Bertel…
35° 4’47.89″N
137° 7’51.95″E
35.079864, 137.130392 Is the only other place I can think of.
Toyota Motor Corporation Motomachi plant (Toyota City)
LFA Global Production center
Coordinates: 35°4’19″N 137°7’59″E
35.076001 North,137.132099 East. At the Motomachi LFA production facility.
35.073946
137.129416
You are right where the LFA Carbon Fiber loom is present. One of the only two in the world.
The only way to beat other contestants is to go inside, and to put the crosshairs in front of a door.
Bwahhhaaaaa? But we dun have access to spy satellites that have X ray vision! Well maybe I do have this friend of a friend who thought I was pretty hot at one time that works for ..mumble mumble mumble…..
35.078833, 137.130693
Now I am going for a walk! A day long walk! I think that is a door….
35.077608,137.129878
Behind the door is the ToMoCo carbon fiber rotary weaver? Toyota City, Japan.
35.073808,137.13245
best guess I can make. This is more then a bit silly though. I named the facility and its GPS coordinates before 10am, and did both before anyone else. (even if it was only by a minute)
The contest runs until July 4th ……..
Please try using decimal degrees, makes my life easier … TKS, B
The best I can do, Bertel San.
35.075508 North
137.130078 East
I am also polishing my Tanto to preserve honor. You are invited.
Hai.
35.077015, 137.128241
+35° 4′ 37.25″, +137° 7′ 41.67″
35.074052,137.13
In trying to research where you are I came across your old article. https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/12/how-to-build-a-lexus-lfa-supercar-–-in-seven-not-so-easy-steps/#more-421553
35.070296,137.128617
Latitude = 35.0771, Longitude = 137.1282
Behind the door is the secret underground train leading to the new Hooters on the Ginza.
This is so great!
Forget the IPAD, I’m looking forward to the write up.
Motomachi, Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Motomachi Plant
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/environmental_rep/03/cyotatu12.html
“Clean Vehicles from a Clean Plant
Eco Mark on the rooftop of the plantThe Motomachi Plant, which began operation in 1959, produces the Crown and the Brevis, as well as ultra low-emission hybrid vehicles (the Prius, Estima, and Crown), and has been promoting environmental preservation activities based on the concept of “Clean Vehicles from a Clean Plant.”
35.068467, 137.128172
+35° 4′ 6.48″, +137° 7′ 41.42″
By now i’m sure we are all aware of where he is. Now it’s just a guessing game of which building and room he was in. Her is my best shot.
Toyota Motor Corporation Motomachi Plant
1, Motomachi, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
The plant is actually large (8 million square ft): http://wikimapia.org/#lat=35.0741063&lon=137.1351567&z=15&l=0&m=b&show=/545041/Toyota-Motor-Corporation-Motomachi-plant
You can see the test track that they run the LFA on in between the buildings
I found the plant layout here: http://www.autointell.com/asian_companies/toyota_motor/toyota-mfg/japanese-plants/motomachi_plant.gif
So here are my coordinates, based on the crosswalk
35.079886, 137.129797
Good luck everyone else
Alrighty then, straight from the OEM’s website:
Nissan Zama Operations Center:
10-1, Hironodai 2-chome, Zama-shi, Kanagawa 252-8502
I pay for the shipping down here. Canada Post/US Mail only.
Oh well, I give up. Never wanted an IPad anyway…
Meijo Koen Subway Station. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. Higashiyama Motomachi 3-70, Chikusa-ku 052-782-2111.
lat=35.0750611N lon=137.1311656E
Ok, this has been an entertaining hunt. My best guess based on wild assumptions, your photo and that autointell link.
Google Coordinates:
35.076379,137.128244
+35° 4′ 35.04″, +137° 7′ 41.67″
I think that’s the front door and exit for finished cars which I see in your photo. You really threw me off name-dropping that flight to Hong Kong, Herr Schmitt.
Looking forward to learning who was closest.
Relative bearing 35 degrees, position angle 6.
All hands prepare for air action starboard.
Motomachi plant in Toyota City, and Akio Toyoda’s cut out in the doorway
35.079214,137.129223
Well, the center of that map photo is at
+35° 4′ 25.06″, +137° 7′ 45.91″
In decimal degrees that’s 35.073632, 137.129419
The street address appears to be
1 Motomachi
Toyota, Aichi Prefecture 471-0854
Japan 0565-71-5811
Of course it’d be kinda hard to guess which room you’re in =p
Lexus Development Center Z department
Aichi-ken, Toyota-shi, Motomachi, １
Japan
Definitely Toyota, since there’s a Lexus logo there in the picture. I think you’ve got it.
Ok, bet-hedging time. Perhaps in the Motomachi plant at this Google location:
35.076721,137.130015
35° 4′ 31.90″ N 137° 7′ 53.47″ E
Motomachi plant in Aichi, Japan
35.075528 Latitude 137.131519 Longitude
The west entrance to one of the buildings at the north of the plant:
35.078986,137.129631.
Final round.
Only entries below this comment, in decimal degrees, count. Only one try per!
This was a lot of fun. NSA level of satellite photo interpretation! Long time reader, first time poster.
I’ll guess: 35° 4’38.78″N, 137° 7’50.22″E.
Figure they would have laid out manufacturing of the halo car with direct access to the test track.
Thanks!
Steve
35.074265, 137.132613
This was a cool contest. Good luck to everyone!
35.078804,137.131243. Final answer.
My Final Offer, Mr. B
35.079483 N
137.129669 E
Latitude = 35.0796, Longitude = 137.1297
Final answer.
Ugh, Thought my walk was long enough! Ok last guess.. that is it…35.072012, 137.132619
I just could not help myself, damm puzzles.
I enjoyed this and I think Bertel is here…
35.074599, 137.135373
Final kick at the can:
35.079421,137.129113
35.075528 Latitude 137.131519 Longitude
Why the front door? I was aiming for the room that you actually took the picture in.
Tough. The picture was taken right behind the door …..
Have to be in it to win it.
35.074899, 137.130156
34°47’43.456.357″N
132°52’15.009.75″E
I know this isnt right but I am hoping and praying that you are at Mazda testing their “first ever hybrid/diesel” in the new Mazda 6, for the US market. First I am sure they aint building it, but a fan can dream.
35.07572, 137.13045
Ok here is my real entry.
35.079935.5626, 137.1306001.8714
There you have it. Bang, your dead.
35.077015, 137.128241
+35° 4′ 37.25″, +137° 7′ 41.67″
This contest is now officially closed. Any entries received after this notice will not count.
Thank you all for participating. Please stay tuned for the results.
Thank you for coming up with something this fun. Please do it again in future. Even without the prizes, guessing games on your travels make for an entertaining way to engage and communicate with us.
Whoever actually wins I think mitchw should be honorably mentioned since he was the first one who came up with LFA plant.
I have to agree with b787 that mitchw should be honorably mentioned. Other than that it has been a mind whacking hoot. I love puzzles, and riddles and such. I had to do allot of digging to make my guesses, from interior shots of the Works to reading what little info there is out there on it. But I have to say thanks for the chance to play.
I am going to have to agree with b787 and Peerson.
1) mitchw should receive recognition for initially proposing the LFA plant.
2) Thank you very much, Bertel. This was an extraordinary amount of fun!
Thanks gents. This was a lot of fun. I did have an edge though, in that I have been up close to an LFA with its hood up. I recognized the double oil filter cover image in Bertel’s post, and from there it got a lot harder. Congrats to the winnner!
Aboard the main battery fire control space aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro, CA.
And the winner is…
Did a winner get announced?