Japan’s top lead storage battery maker, GS Yuasa, on Wednesday showed off an electric car imported from the United States in 1917 at the firm’s head office in Kyoto.

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The company told Kyodo News it had restored the car to make it roadworthy in order to showcase it to promote its lead storage battery business amid growing public interest in eco-friendly electric cars.


The vehicle, named the Detroit, was imported by company co-founder Genzo Shimazu and put to company use for about 30 years. Thereafter, it remained on display inside the head office.


GS Yuasa’s engineers have equipped the Detroit with the firm’s lead storage cell, which can be recharged through a household power outlet, according to the company.

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