I THOUGHT Boris Johnsons hairdresser had the easiest job in the world.
But it turns out, no. Its the strategy chief at Nissan.
Because he does nothing.
Take the 370Z. That car is ten years old and should have been replaced yonks ago. Were still waiting.
The new Juke. Great little motor but two years late. And dont get me started on electric.
Nissan pioneered zero-emission motoring in 2010 with the Leaf, long before Dieselgate and Volkswagens ensuing quest for redemption.
But it dropped the ball. It sat back and allowed others to catch up and then get ahead.
Today, both Kia and Hyundai have two long-range electric cars in their line-ups, as well as hybrids, while Nissan still only has the Leaf.
Until next year, that is, when this electric SUV finally joins the party.
Its called Ayris and its a cross between Qashqai and Leaf, just much cooler and faster.
Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show yesterday, Ayris is all-wheel drive with two electric motors, one on each axle, and enough torque to give a sports car a bloody nose.
You can expect a 270-mile range from an 80kWh battery and a price tag around 39,000.
You can also expect it to have acres of space inside thats the beauty of electric cars, the battery pack is hidden in the floor.
Add in the minimalist widescreen dash, self-driving tech and over-the-air software updates and youre looking at a cut-price Tesla.
Well done, Nissan, but keep them coming now. Maybe one bigger and one smaller?
In other news, Toyota showcased robots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a new-look Mirai hydrogen car with 30 per cent more range and a two-seat e-Racer. Yes, please. Lexus unveiled the LF-30, an electric car for, er, 2030.
Honda rolled out the hybrid-only Jazz. Unashamedly designed for Nanas, comfort is king here. Better seats, better visibility, chunky dials, wider centre console for handbags. Out March.
Therell also be a rufty tufty Crosstar version with raised ride height, roof rails and water-resistant seats.
Suzuki’s Hanare is a self-driving hippy van with no steering wheel
Mazdas first electric car badged MX-30 will hit the road early 2021 with a 35.5kWh battery and a 130-mile range. Hmmm. Doesnt sound so impressive. But Mazda knows its onions.
It says its average UK customer drives 26 miles a day and a smaller battery is lighter, has a lower CO2 footprint and charges faster. Itll cost around 29,000.
Now for the silly stuff. Someone at Suzuki clearly got s***-faced on sake and came up with the retro Waku Sports coupe. Press a button and the rear section rises up to transform into an estate. I kid you not.
Exciting. Or wakuwaku as they say in these parts.
Parked next to it was Hanare, a self-driving hippy van for 2040 with no steering wheel.
And finally, Mitsubishis outlandish Mi-Tech dune buggy has four electric motors, counter-rotating wheels for 180-degree tank turns, and a jet fighter windscreen. Impressive.
But put a roof on it and youre looking at the 2021 ASX. Itll come in two flavours: all-electric and mild hybrid.
The rear section of the retro Suzuki Waku rises up to transform into an estate
