Asian Consumer Intellegence
Nissan will add noise to its new electric car, the Leaf, to make it sound like cars in the cult movie Blade Runner. The sound makes the cars safer, so pedestrians can hear them coming, but will also act as a powerful marketing too, making the vehicles instantly recognizable, even if they are out of sight. i.e “That sounds like a socially responsible, trend-forward driver!”
[pinktext IDEA POTENTIAL:] Nissan has taken what was a dull safety problem and turned it into a fascinating opportunity to brand the leaf as a futuristic vehicle that will garner interest from anyone it passes. A true lesson in sensory marketing.
Nissan Leaf, due for release in Japan/US/Europe in 2010. http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com
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Browse Five by Fifty by Sector
Beauty & Wellness, Innovation
Japan is subsidizing “plant factories” that provide stable supplies of high-quality vegetables. The technology isn’t entirely “green”, but do consumers care?
More..»Consumer Shifts, FMCG
The new ILOHAS bottled water from Coca-Cola Japan cuts down on packaging and creates a new disposal ritual to make consumers feel good about going “green”.
More..»Beauty & Wellness, Consumer Shifts
Working out to look good isn’t enough for Japanese women, who are starting to set ambitious personal goals and making lifestyle-altering choices.
More..»Innovation
London’s city planners want to replicate Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing in the West End. It will be a sociological as well as logistical innovation for pedestrian management in the UK.
More..»Innovation, Newsletter
Japanese consumers were once famous for wanting the newest and best. The recession has changed that for good, forcing retailers to look at the used market as an area for growth.
More..»Innovation
Sanyo have scored a hit with their environmentally-friendly rechargeable battery line, eneloop, which are sold fully charged and can be recharged up to 1,000 times. Recent consumer consciousness of environmental issues, coupled with an expanded product line and successful ad campaign has boosted sales.
More..»Beauty & Wellness, Consumer Shifts, FMCG, Lifestyle Spending
Japanese retailers and consumers have been criticized for creating unnecessary excess waste, with many products individually wrapped in several layers of plastic. However, attitudes are changing, as evidenced by the Mottainai project operated by Tokyo-based Tatsumi Co. “Mottainai” means “you shouldn’t waste that” in Japanese.
More..»Innovation
A new environmentally-friendly sightseeing boat is operating in Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan, and a popular vacation site.
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