7000 visitors experience world of Nissan as 'Nissan Technology Square' exhibition concludes in GCC

The exhibit, which was on display in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates from 4-10th October for the first time in the Middle East contained displays in four main areas of interest: Environment, Safety, Driving Performance and 'Life on Board'.

Takahiko Uchimura, Senior Manager, Technology Development Division at Nissan Motor Company in Japan, visited the United Arab Emirates to see how the exhibition was progressing and explained the reason behind it.

Uchimura said, "We wanted our customers and the public to understand Nissan technology and, of course, we also wanted them to like our cars. Previously, communication with the customer was based on the product but today we believe the technology itself is a very important part of the communication process. We wanted the visitors to understand the technology itself but also understand Nissan as a brand, and we particularly want young people to understand what Nissan represents as a brand. This reach towards the youth manifests itself in a presentation specifically for university students, but the messages being sent out by Nissan are aimed at the general public."

Speaking from a local perspective Nissan Middle East Managing Director, Atsuo Kosaka, commented:

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this technology event. The Nissan Technology Square has been a success taking into consideration the large number of visitors who were briefed on its contents and the interest shown by them in Nissan technological breakthroughs."

He added, "The university student sessions organised on the first two days of the event gave engineering students a valuable insight into Nissan's technology development spheres. The students showed particular interest in the evolution of the Electric Vehicle (EV), and we are delighted with the splendid response Nissan has received."

The Technology Square's four sections were all filled with information, models and interactive demonstrations. In the Environment section, audio visual information and an example of Nissan's battery technology sat on one side, with explanations on the walls showing how the technology works and its benefit to the public. Current Nissan electric vehicles can travel for 160km on a single charge while still providing ample interior room and providing performance comparable to a petrol-powered V6 sports car. A model of the Pivo2 electric concept car gives an idea of Nissan's forward thinking in the world of future transportation.

On the other side was an impressive, stylised model of a future town complete with moving electric cars. Behind it was a wealth of information on how such vehicles can benefit everyday life as well as ideas that can make the running of electric cars as smooth as possible. These include timed charges that take advantage of cheap-rate electricity where available, and quick charge stations outside shopping centres. Nissan also envisages electro-magnetic tracks in individual road lanes, where electric vehicles can recharge as they drive.

Of course, it's not just zero-emission vehicles that Nissan is focusing on. Widespread use of such technology is still in the future, and the company is working on technologies that will refine existing power such as engine efficiency and aerodynamics. Visitors to the Technology Square could see first hand, via interactive displays, what a difference these factors can make to a petrol vehicle's environmental impact.

One of the more immediately impressive displays was that of a new paint technology that automatically repairs scratches. A hostess demonstrated by rubbing the hood of a car with a wire brush. Simply by pouring hot water over it, the scratches disappear. Such a technology is set to appear on Nissan models in the future and should prove popular in a region where vehicles can be blasted with sand.

Nissan's approach to vehicle safety was also on show. The concept of the Nissan Safety shield explained how the company considers safety at varying distance from each vehicle to first avoid danger, to then avoid an impending accident and then mitigate the effects of a crash.

The October showing was the first time the Technology Square visited the Middle East, but there are high hopes that its success will see it return with even newer exhibits, to show that Nissan never stops developing.

Nissan also displayed its all-new 2010 Maxima sedan which is now on sale across the GCC.