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In the “culture of cute”, pink cars appear to sell remarkably well. At least that is what the figures coming out of Japan suggest. The “cute” Nissan Pino, actually made by Suzuki, comes in at 8600 dollars and 5500 models were sold the first month they were out – twice more than what was projected.

The picture above is a sample snapshot from Nissan’s website that gives you an image of your car accessorized however you choose. Perhaps if I read Japanese I’d understand why they want me to accessorize with stuffed animals and my Pino interior wouldn’t end up looking so, well, cute.

The way I figure it, if I am ever stalled on the freeway, road service will have an easy time spotting me. After all, how many 11′ pink cars with a matching zoo are there?

“Ayano Sasao is defying the conventional wisdom that cars targeted to a niche consumer category like young women are doomed to fail.

The 18-year-old Japanese hospital worker just bought the Nissan Pino, a toylike minicar just 3.4 meters (11 feet) long with star-stamped upholstery, a hook for a handbag and a chic “milk tea beige” exterior — although she says she almost went with the pink.

“It’s so cute. I just love it,” she said.

To make sure women like Sasao get the message, Nissan Motor Co. launched a merchandise line for Pino, including pink bear-shaped cushions, seat covers with hearts, a CD case that looks like fat red lips, and a colorful cover for a tissue box.

Ironically, Pino isn’t even made by Nissan, Japan’s third biggest automaker. It’s made by Suzuki Motor Inc.

But under a manufacturing agreement, Nissan packages Suzuki’s Alto model differently, with fancier seat fabric, a distinct front design and a hubcap inspired by a snowflake so the wheels appear to sparkle on the road — all touches to give the car that cute look.”

(source)