Unusual promotional vehicle ideas needed.

[Dazed & Confused]

Hi,

My brother's starting a travel based business (can't give too much away), and he needs a promotional vehicle to drive round in. It'll go all across Europe, and maybe further, so LHD and reliability is a preference. It needs to be something unusual, but also practical for up to 4 people + equipment (cameras, etc.) over long distances. He's got a budget of about £30k. He desperately wants to avoid the Mini, Fiat 500, VW Transporter route, but also not go super crazy (bat mobile, etc.) He wants something that is eye catching and memorable, but is still friendly and endearing. I'm struggling to think of anything that suits, and is practical. So far I've come up with:

VW split screen camper van - stands out, friendly image, but crazy slow, unrefined and dangerous.
Isuzu Vehicross - Looks like it's from the future. Probably too off-road geeky image. Fuel consumption. RHD only.
Hummer H1 - Memorable. Too military/imposing. Too big.
Landrover Defender - Friendly, fun image. But unreliable, and not quirky enough?

Everything else I can think of is too car geeky, or too crazy.

As I wrote that, I just thought - Citroen DS?

Any ideas much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Steameh]

How about renaultsport twingos, they are cutesy but also good to look at.

[Wigeon Incognito]

How about a Toyota FJ Cruiser?



The above pic from Automobiles Review shows a 2009 car, they're left hand drive, cheap enough, unusual, memorable, practical, reliable, and likeable.

Edited by Wigeon Incognito on Tuesday 17th April 00:10

[Dazed & Confused]

Thanks, guys! The Twingo's a good idea, but too small for bags plus kit. The FJ Cruiser, however, looks ideal. Modern (so safe, reliable, comfortable, etc.), but still unusual.

Quick question - it's unusual here, but is it unusual globally (Japan, USA?)

[sherman]

[quote=Dazed & Confused]Thanks, guys! The Twingo's a good idea, but too small for bags plus kit. The FJ Cruiser, however, looks ideal. Modern (so safe, reliable, comfortable, etc.), but still unusual.

Quick question - it's unusual here, but is it unusual globally (Japan, USA?)
[/quote]

The FJ is for sale in both those markets IIRC. It may even be for sale in the rest of Europe just not the UK.

[Wigeon Incognito]

It was built for the US market but is still unusual however parts availability isn't an issue and there's an active club scene. They were never sold in Japan as far as I know as they were left hand drive only.

[smiffy180]

Nissan cube? Thats something different.....

[Steameh]

There's always a Ute;

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3788332.htm

[sherman]

How about an old coach.
http://www.usedcoachsales.co.uk/coach.ihtml?coach=...
Buy three old mini's and get them painted red,white and blue. Take the rear seats out of the coach and put the minis in the back of the coach.

It would get remembered anyway.

[0a]

When the brief is only that he's in 'travel' it's rather difficult to say.

[XKjimmy]

Mercedes G wagon

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3805900.htm

|http://thumbsnap.com/ohrtyMSx[/url]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Hummer H2
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3793982.htm

Renault Avantime

Eye catching and money left over

[crocodile tears]

big ugly dodge ram stickered up so it looks gay?

[james280779]

Wigeon Incognito said:

It was built for the US market but is still unusual however parts availability isn't an issue and there's an active club scene. They were never sold in Japan as far as I know as they were left hand drive only.

not true, here in Australia they are everywhere (common as muck) and all RHD. we are so close to Japan I would guess they have them there also!

[Dusty964]

james280779 said:

Wigeon Incognito said:

It was built for the US market but is still unusual however parts availability isn't an issue and there's an active club scene. They were never sold in Japan as far as I know as they were left hand drive only.

not true, here in Australia they are everywhere (common as muck) and all RHD. we are so close to Japan I would guess they have them there also!

...........and they litter the roads of Dubai, thousands of the damn things.

Been in a couple- comfy, spacious enough in the back, suprisingly brisk, and- by all accounts- supremely reliable. Oh, and well under budget too!!

[Hitch78]

The marketing value of a single vehicle plodding around Europe is totally negligable so his focus should be on reliability, comfort, cost and space.

A big diesel estate or SUB with an interesting vinyl wrap is probably his best bet.

[Fartgalen]

Steameh said:

There's always a Ute;

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3788332.htm

Failure to read OP !

[MagicalTrevor]

Going with the Twingo idea, how about adding half a Twingo to the back as a trailer?

I've seen it done with other cars but it wouldn't be too much bother to strip the back of a written off Twingo, get somebody to weld a trailer frame to it.

Quirky and memorable

[Bibbs]

Wigeon Incognito said:

It was built for the US market but is still unusual however parts availability isn't an issue and there's an active club scene. They were never sold in Japan as far as I know as they were left hand drive only.

They are for sale in Australia (and Japan). RHD. It's just the underpinnings from the LandCruiser/Hilux (so reliable and easy to get parts) with a retro body.

[Yiliterate]

Ford Mustang convertible (because it's friendlier )

Classic:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1910210.htm

New:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3826780.htm

[Truckosaurus]

Hitch78 said:

The marketing value of a single vehicle plodding around Europe is totally negligable...

I suspect the plan is to offer guided motoring tours in an interesting vehicle.