Who doesn’t like a little gratuitous destruction every now and again?
The Motor1.com staff is passionate about cars. If we didn’t share a passion for cars and engines, we wouldn’t be ambassadors of all things automotive. Although tanks ride on steel tracks and wheels make the treads move around, there is a motor in there. The unfortunate Ford cargo vans in this clip are proof that not all things can be happy.
We are not sure why. WGN News Chicago gave a few of its vans a dramatic send off. It took place on November 14, during a primetime special of the station’s morning show. The morning crew at the station are a boisterous bunch. They even get primetime billing for events that involve gratuitous mechanical destruction. That’s fine by us.
We will assume that the vans were no longer in use and are being sold. The station decided to sell them instead of putting them on the used market. The used car market can be very lucrative for old work vans. These appear to be Ford E-Series models and could have sold for upwards of $12,000 depending on condition and mileage. Now the question is: Was WGN able to sell them their old work vans and gain $12,000 worth advertising?
We would have been tempted to say no if the vans had been simply hit with pianos or smashed by an SUV. But, bringing a Chieftain main battle tanks from the UK is a major game-changer. We believe Drive A Tank, the company that provided the green metal monster, was also keen to be in the limelight. We can’t help but agree. We love vans but also love destruction, so the plan worked.
This is what you might refer to as inspired marketing. It is better to lose than gain momentum.