Nissan celebrates 20 years of the ‘curry hook’
- Iconic dashboard bag hook debuted on the Nissan Almera in March 1996
- Same ‘simple solutions’ customer-focused design ethos continues today in award-winning Qashqai crossover and other Nissan models
- Complements hi-tech driver assistance systems such as Nissan Safety Shield
Nissan’s advanced driver assistance systems are available on many of its models, including the award-winning Qashqai crossover. Development of these hi-tech solutions is constantly evolving to improve the ownership experience, but Nissan engineers never forget that a simple approach can be just as effective. This month marks 20 years since the debut of one of its most iconic features – the much-loved ‘curry hook’.
The dashboard hook first appeared on the Nissan Almera compact family hatchback in March 1996, as a way of keeping hand bags or shopping bags upright. It was quickly dubbed the ‘curry hook’ by media who recognised it was the perfect way to stop takeaway food from spilling into the car’s foot well.
Today, it remains a feature of the brand’s award-winning crossovers such as the Qashqai and X-Trail. All that’s changed is the location of the hook; it has moved from the dashboard to the boot.
It’s just one of many simple solutions which Nissan has incorporated into its cars to make life easier for the driver. Another is the ‘Karakuri’ boot board – also known as the Flexi-Board – which is available on the Nissan Qashqai, Juke and Note. It allows owners to divide the cargo space according to their needs, and can be arranged in various configurations to support and protect items in transit. When not in use, it cleverly stores out of the way in the boot floor.
Nissan’s engineers have put just as much thought into the latest Navara pick-up. For example, it features a 12-volt power socket in the dashboard’s upper storage tray – ideal for customers who have their own portable sat-nav device to stick to the windscreen. It means no potentially hazardous trail of wires across the facia, keeping the driving environment tidy and unobstructed. Cleverly, for customers who choose a Navara with an integrated sat-nav, the socket isn’t there.
Such smart thinking isn’t a new element of the Nissan ‘customer-first’ philosophy. In September 1986, when the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off the new production line in Sunderland, UK, it had two analogue trip meters built into the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Why? So business users could easily separate and log their professional and private mileage. A unique feature at the time, it is now standard on the digital read-outs of almost every volume car brand.
Many innovations such as these began life in the minds of the engineering experts at Nissan’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield, UK.
David Moss, Vice President, Vehicle Design & Development, commented: “Whether its trip meters, power sockets, boot boards or the famous curry hook, Nissan engineers never forget that it’s often these clever ideas – which make life easier for drivers – that will keep our customers coming back time and time again.”
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About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 17,600 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. In 2014 Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 675,000 vehicles including award-winning crossovers, small cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, the world's most popular electric vehicle with 96% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends. Nissan now offers a strong line-up of 23 diverse and innovative models in Europe under the Nissan and Datsun brands.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2014, the company sold more than 5.3 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.3 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceana; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500, and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since March 1999.
