Nissan: Bunz the Bunny, Ambassador of ‘Hoppy-ness,’ inspires Nissan car designers

  • Bunz is a four-year-old dwarf Lionhead bunny nicknamed the “Ambassador of Happiness” (or “Hoppy-ness”) by owner Jacqueline Reeve, a color and trim designer at Nissan Design America in San Diego
  • The design studio welcomed the bunny’s visit, “hopping” it would bring creative disruption to the fast-paced and demanding environment, perfectly timed with the Easter season
  • Nissan Design America, located in San Diego, was founded in 1979 as Nissan’s first overseas design center and provides creative contributions to Nissan’s global design operation in the areas of the interior, exterior, color and material design

SAN DIEGO Automotive design is a secretive world rightfully obsessed with keeping the prying eyes of the competition out. However, a peek inside Nissan Design America in San Diego proves inspiration comes from anywhere, even a bunny.

“Bunz” is a four-year-old dwarf Lionhead bunny visiting Nissan’s design studio with her owner, Color and Trim Designer Jacqueline Reeve. Bunz is symbolic of the open-minded culture designers require.

“Designing cars is a serious and competitive business,” said Taro Ueda, vice president, Nissan Design America. “Designers thrive in unique, fast-paced and creatively demanding environments, but it’s important to have an open mind and outside inspiration, even if sparked by a bunny visiting the office,” Ueda added.

Reeve brought Bunz to the office in a custom carrier made partly out of recycled fabric samples.

Nissan Design America is home to more than 60 employees, just part of 22,000 Nissan team members employed at locations throughout the U.S., including eight regional offices and major locations in Arizona, California, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

For more information about Nissan, please visit www.nissannews.com.

 

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.

 

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Contact

William A. Mattiace
Nissan Communications
615-879-8991
william.mattiace@nissan-usa.com