Nissan’s Mixim Concept Car in detail

“But then we look at what we call the uncertainties. This is not about forecasting but just considering what the future might bring. For example, we know we are moving towards a more global culture... but will this culture be a mosaic or a melting pot?

“We have many uncertainties like this, especially on a political and social level, and we try to make the unexpected connection between them. Then we consider how it might impact on us as a company.

“As far as exploring core needs for the future, we are seeking those that are distinctive or unique, rather than predictable. Exploratory work is not about fulfilling the existing requirements of the market but answering new emerging needs, unexpressed needs.”

Following scenario planning sessions last year, the decision was taken to explore further the connection between the digital and real worlds. The brief included understanding what the word ‘real’ means to the younger generation.

“We discovered that they have a new sense of reality: they have become a virtual generation. They don’t need to have a physical connection with a product to own it. Take music: older generations still want to see or touch a CD, but the younger generation is happy simply to download its music from the internet.

“From this we developed an entire forward planning programme which we called Remix… actually we called it Remix Against the Machine, because it was an anti-machine message that was coming through,” says Bancon.

Mixim, Nissan’s concept EV for the Frankfurt, came out of the Remix programme. “But it is just one idea to emerge from the programme. We have other developments which might be seen at other shows, or might even appear on our roads… but if they do, it’ll be sooner rather than later,” he adds.