Tokyo motor show - Nissan: something for the ladies

Car makers are becoming ever braver in their attempts to capture the increasingly important female pound, and the Nissan Pivo 2 is perhaps the bravest of the lot!

First things first, this is only a concept car and you're unlikely to see it anywhere other then on the set of a (female-orientated) sci-fi movie.

But the bravery comes from the assumptions Nissan has made about who it thinks a small commuter car like Pivo 2 might appeal to – young women.

The dummy navigation screen points out the ideal route for them via the mall, cake shop, flower shop and the movies.

When it comes to those who might struggle with parallel parking, the Pivo 2's cabin swivels around and a clever system allows the wheels to turn independently through 90 degrees, allowing you to drive sideways, forwards.

There's also an on-board robot, which will greet you and passers by with a series of lights that give it expression. It'll also recognise your facial image and assesses your mood before offering some cheerful or soothing advice.

According to Carlos Tavares, Nissan's product chief, Pivo 2 and all new Nissans have to be given approval by the company's female jury – even the cars that are targeted at men.

'Some cars are male, others are female,' Tavares said, 'but our female jury reflects the impact women have on all car-buying decisions.'

Pivo 2 does include some significant technology that will feature on Nissans as early as 2010, though. It's an electrical vehicle powered by a new type of compact lithium-ion batteries.

The batteries are flat rather than cylindrical, which means they can be located underneath the Pivo 2's seats, lowering the centre of gravity.

The batteries give the car a range of 62 miles, can be quick-charged in an hour and last five years before being recycled.

Expect an electrically powered Nissan to be on sale at the beginning of the next decade.

Pico 2 features electric motors in each of the wheels, and all controls for steering, throttle and brakes are controlled using X-wire technology – purely electronically with no mechanical connection.

As the car accelerates, the rear wheels will move further apart and backwards to improve grip and stability; likewise, as the car corners, the outside wheels move further apart to counter the natural load on the wheels.

That robot isn't just a gimmick, either. It will not only detect when you're happy and sad, but also when you're sleepy.

With Nissan also showing systems that will help keep your car in its lane if you drift off to sleep, and also sensors around the car that can detect whether you've been drinking and not allow you to start the car, it seems the robot is more than just a friendly face.