Nissan giving away Leaf-shaped air fresheners that smell like the future

Sat, 14 Dec 2013

We had to check our calendar to make sure it didn't read April 1, but since it's not April Fool's Day, we have to assume that Nissan of Europe really has created a special air freshener scent to give away this Christmas. To create this original fragrance, Nissan looked to Dr. George Dodd, a master perfumer and aroma academy scientist who looks a tiny bit like Santa Claus (we seriously aren't making this stuff up).

Like a mad scientist, Dr. Dodd went to work blending chemicals and fragrances to design a smell that matches the Leaf's Earth-friendly, zero-emission attitude. Once the "scent of the future" is transformed into the lovely Santa-driving, Leaf-shaped air freshener you see above, Nissan of Europe will be giving one to its employees, Leaf customers and "select electric car fans." Sadly, EV – and scent – enthusiasts here in the US will be stuck with the tried-and-true pine tree air freshener.

We don't want to ruin exactly what Dodd finally came up with for the "scent of the future," but you can find out for yourselves in the video and press release posted below.

Nissan creates "Scent of the Future"

ROLLE, Switzerland – Nissan in Europe has joined senses with a world-renowned master perfumer to create an aromatic blueprint of what the world could smell like in a zero emissions (ZE) future.

Nissan commissioned Master Perfumer and Aroma Academy Scientist Dr. George Dodd to use his expert nose and concoct a scent that not only represents a zero-emissions future – a world where vehicles like the best-selling Nissan LEAF electric vehicle populate the roads – but is also scientifically proven to induce a positive sense of well-being to the sniffer.

With inspiration gained from long walks amongst the Scottish Highlands, Dodd has concocted Nissan's "future scent" with essences taken from cut green grass, myrtle oil, natural orange and the ineffable "light as air" molecule. The scent evokes clean, fresh and organic landscapes in the minds of its sniffers, designed to encourage nostalgic feelings.

Nissan approached Dodd after hearing about his esteemed career as a scientist of smell. His expertise started as a child. Born downwind of the Guinness brewery in Dublin, his sense of smell was brought to life at an early age before going on to study the science behind the sense and becoming a world-renowned expert.

The futuristic scent is to be doused onto a LEAF shaped car air freshener and given to select electric car fans, Nissan LEAF customers and Nissan employees in Europe as a Christmas gift to thank them for playing their part in a zero-emissions future. The innovative yet light-hearted gift celebrates the pioneering steps Nissan is taking towards an emission-free future and reminds recipients of what they are contributing to when driving their LEAF.

Creating a scent of the future was a first for the Aroma Academy. Their champion nose, George Dodd, commented: "We are very proud to have been asked to create such an abstract and innovative scent with Nissan. When Nissan came to me and asked me to create a scent of the future it was quite a scary thought, but it was a challenge I thoroughly enjoyed. This bespoke, futuristic aroma embodies a palate of smell sensations that have never before existed together and represents a future Nissan is helping us drive towards."

By Jeffrey N. Ross