Pivo2 electric car concept

Shiro Nakamura likes to think that designing cars is like making music. As Nissan Motor's chief creative officer and an active cello player, Nakamura should know.

Since he began heading up design at Japan's third-biggest automaker nine years ago, the youthful 57-year-old has transformed the company's image as a technologically savvy but generally form-blind outfit into one known for its design flair.
"Nissan draws hints from contemporary Japan -- things like animation, and 'manga' (comics)," Nakamura said. The bubbly Pivo2 electric car concept, which has an egg-shaped cabin nestled inside four small, swivelling wheels, is a perfect example.

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