It's said that some supermarkets pump the smell of baking bread around the store, enticing people into buying their products.
Does a similar tactic work with cars? Nissan may be about to find out at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, as its stand will emit what Nissan hopes will be its "trademark smell".
Rather than pumping car fumes around--not the best marketing tool for the Leaf, and a bit of a health hazard--the company is using "thé vert oriental", to evoke the smell of green tea "during Chinese spring harvest".
According to Automotive News, Nissan wants the smell to become something of a brand asset, drawing in visitors to its stand and being adopted by its dealers for use in their showrooms.
Nissan hopes the aroma will draw visitors back to its first full-scale Detroit stand since 2008. It pulled out altogether in 2009 when the market crashed, before returning in 2010-2012 with relatively small displays.
The stand will feature visual intrigue too, with a large, glowing, 150-foot long "halo" hovering above the multi-level booth
Detroit will mark the launch of the updated 2013 Nissan Leaf. Most significant is the introduction of a new, base trim level, with a lower purchase price and less equipment.
We published spy shots of the new base model back in October, highlighting its more basic interior trim, steel wheels with wheel covers, and simpler, non-LED headlights.
The new models will be produced at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee plant.
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