Jokes of the car industry

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Whilst April Fools’ day might have passed for this year, it remains the one day that the PR departments of some of the world’s biggest car manufacturers really try to outdo each other and dupe the public with prank press releases.

Over the years, they have come up with some truly memorable April Fools, from the almost believable to the completely ridiculous. Usually released in the form of adverts or press releases, and often about some new model or technological breakthrough, the big question is - will you fall for one of their pranks this year? 

Here are just a few of the best April fool’s joke that the car industry has conjured up over the years.

Introducing Adam C from Vauxhall
In April 2016, Vauxhall claimed to have solved the issue of zero running costs and emission with the launch of Adam C. the world’s first full sized wind up car. Not only were they quick to extol its benefits to the environment but also the health benefits for car owners. With 15 minutes of winding apparently running the car for 125miles they claimed that the average 65kg person would burn over 400 calories each time the car needed winding up again. With a name like “Mick Cannical” behind the design, of course this was just one big wind up!

Emoji Number plates
Honda tried to tempt the younger market with emoji number plates last year, with smilies and other emojis planned as a replacement for the more traditional number and letter combinations. They suggested they would be talking to the free vehicle history check experts at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency with the hope of launching in early 2019/2020.

BMW
Those clever PR people at BMW have been working overtime on the April Fools jokes over the years. In 1986 they announced that they had designed a moveable steering wheel which would allow drivers to move their steering wheel to the other side of the car when driving abroad. For those drivers who dislike a dirty enamel badge BMW presented the solution in 1988 in the form of their badgewash system, a small sensor activated wiper for the BMW badge. Of course, almost as funny as the jokes themselves are the names of the inventors credited with them; Aap Rilfühl, Dr. Jurgen Afalfurit and not forgetting Miss April Wurst who interested parties were advised to contact in the marketing department for further information. 

Prescription Windshields
Not the brain child of a car manufacturer but in 2010 Auto windscreens launched what they claimed was to be the first prescription windscreen service. Drivers would be able to get windscreens that matched their own ophthalmic prescription, thus ensuring they would never have to struggle to find their glasses again before driving.  

It's not an April fool. It's a Volkswagen.
That was the tagline used by VW in a 1991 advertising campaign for their environmentally, but highly impractical decomposable roof rack.

Whether you’re reading about fantastic accessories for your car or amazing technology that will help you make driving easier, remember before you get too excited, check if its April Fools Day first!