On March 20, 2008 the Nissan Denki Cube Concept car made it’s first world wide appearance at the New York Auto Show.  Nissan is always looking for new ways to make their cars more environmentally friendly and the Nissan Denki (Japanese for electric) is an attempt to create another, greener, electric powered vehicle that is  practical for the whole family.  Nissan plans to make the Cube Car as a gasoline powered car first, and it will be available to drivers in the United States in 2009.

This boxy appearing car does not appear very cool to me, but many people find the minimalist design and practicality of the Nissan Cube just perfect.  We’ll see in 2009 how well the Nissan Cube does in the United States.  I am hedging bets that this is one concept car that we won’t see around too long.  It just seems too ugly.

Tags: toyota, hummer, cheap auto parts, chevy, corvette

Ok, so I wrote my last post with the idea that I was going to talk about how I have only had a few cars in the ten years my spouse and I have been together and I ended up blathering on and on.  My issue is WHY in the WORLD does my spouse need to BUY a new car every other year.  I counted…

Me:  Nellie, truck, Saturn, Lil  4 cars, 2 beaters, 1 used, 1 new.

Him:  New Toyota Tercel, New Nissan Altima, New Honda Accord, Used (Barely) Ford Explorer, New Ford Mustang, and then finally, a used, but completely pimped out, heated seats and the works Ford Explorer.  So that is:  4 New Cars, and 2 Barely used.  6 Cars in 10 years is one car every 1.6 years….and he wonders why he is upside down on his current car loan.

I know why.  Because when you BUY a NEW car every 1.6 years, all that you ever pay for is interest!

What is it in some people that they NEED to have a new car so often?  Why?  Please, somebody help me because I can’t stand to spend my time in the car dealerships.  Be happy with what you have, isn’t that what is really cool? 

The Pivo 2, from Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has created a new, advanced electric concept car and it is the Nissan Pivo 2.

Powered by four motors, one in each wheel, the Pivo 2 is designed as an urban commuter vehicle that seats three.  (I would love to meet the three people that fit inside this car).  The Pivo 2 is powered by advanced Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and employs “by-wire” technologies for breaking and steering.

Although cute, the car may not be able to survive on looks alone.  With a cabin that fully rotates and tires that turn 90 degrees, the Pivo 2 has made driving in reverse obsolete.  Parking is no longer a problem either, turn the wheels ninety degrees and drive sideways.  Now the only concern is finding a parking space.

Not only can this car drive sideways and do an about face, due to a highly innovative Robotic Agent, this car can talk to you as well.  The Pivo 2 can converse with passengers in either Japanese or English, making the commuter’s trip a little less stressful.  Not only can the Pivo 2 talk you down from ramming the car in front of you, the Pivo 2 can locate the nearest available parking. 

The Pivo 2 has a moon-eyed talking head on the dash that watches the road and navigates.  Your facial expressions are also read by the moon-eyed head and watch out, the car will try to cheer you up if you look agitated.  I am not sure about anyone else, but if my car could talk in certain situations, it might find itself parked into the nearest garage until it could behave itself.

The Pivo 2 is not slated for release any time in the near future.  A good concept, but not very practical.