Asymmetrical Cars? They Can't Do That!!

Driving past my local Nissan dealership yesterday, I noticed the new Nissan Cube (a new vehicle for the US which has been in other markets in the previous generation).  I was struck by the fact that the windows are not symmetrical -- the back window wraps around on the right side of the car, but not the left side.

 

 

I first saw one on vacation in Los Angeles in March, where I was struck by the fact that the windows are not symmetrical. Can they do asymmetrical design of a car exterior?

Well they did. 

 

It seems so simple -- a rather common design feature in other categories and industries.  Yet I can't think of any other cars with windows that aren't mirror images from side to side. 

Borrowing new ideas from other categories and industries is a great way to create innovation.   Get curiousabout what's happening in unrelated fields and see what you can bring into your world that hasn't yet been done.

Over 100 years of the automobile, and how come this is the first?  Likely it won't be the last!

So, is it innovative?  What do you think?

Comments

[Victoria Cliche]

Tim,

I was so psyched to see the Cube on TV that we stopped at the first dealer we saw who had one. The disappointment is it is an optical illusion as they really can't (or didn't) wrap around to create more visibility. As you know, there is a corner structure that interrupts the window.

The car is spacious and fun - if you like shag on the dash and bungy cords to hold your parking slips or the ability to change the color of interior lights. It is not too expensive but isn't hip enough in the green space to make it compelling.

A great step on the way to more innovation but I think it falls short!

[Tim Dunne]

WHy is it asymmetrical I wonder. Is there a reduced blind spot in an important place.

[Shane Sasnow]

Totally cool. I think it is innovative because it is taking something that already exists and applying practical creativity to it to make it better. Does it make it better? Is there a safety issue that this helps with (blind side?) or is it just aesthetic?