Automotive companies teaming up with companies outside of the automotive world rarely works out. Tech companies, clothing designers, and video games don’t really get the complex world of cars they’ve been thrust into. And who could blame them? They can’t all be Eddie Bauer Ford Explorers, after all.
Last week, we asked readers what they thought the most pointless automotive partnerships were. These were their responses.
In 2011, Porsche and Blackberry came together to try and capitalize on what was an emerging — and ultimately dumb — market segment: luxury phones. The result of the partnership was the Blackberry P’9981; the first in what would be three designer phones made in conjunction with Porsche Design.
It was definitely a luxury item, with a frame made from a single piece of stainless steel while the back of the device was wrapped in leather. Of course with this being a Porsche collab, they weren’t cheap. Each one cost $2,300 a pop. In 2013 a custom 24-karat gold version was unveiled and only 25 of the $25,000 phones were ever made.
Suggested by: Chance
No, not the MCU Ironman. Around the turn of the century, Isuzu partnered with — and sponsored— the Ironman Triathlon to create a limited edition version of it’s fantastic VehiCROSS SUV. Only 1,000 of the Ironman Edition were ever made. Aside from “Ironman” badging on the rear tailgate and on the Recaros in the interior, there was nothing too special about it.
Suggested by: Cam Mancuso via Facebook
One of the weirdest things I’ve seen from a car company is a collaboration that Bugatti did with Black Desert Online. Black Desert Online is a Fantasy online roleplaying game, so it’s really odd for them to team up with a car company. They had in game horse armor and character armor that could be purchased based off of Bugatti.
This is really one of the weirdest, most random things ever. The in-game content consisted of a Bugatti Chiron inspired skin for both the rider and the horse. I have so many questions.
Suggested by: Khalin
Chevy attempted to take on Ford and its successful Eddie Bauer line of SUVs with a North Face Edition of the Trailblazer. In addition to a choice of a few different two-tone paint options, the Trailblazer North Face came with unique 17-inch wheels, wheel flares, leather seats with “North Face” logos, what was described as an underbody shield package and amber marker lights for the roof rack.
Submitted by: Eric Simmons via Facebook
I’d really like to pinpoint when exactly Jeep became a lifestyle brand. The brand has all kinds of collections, from Grand Wagoneer specific apparel to watches and backpacks. One of the most puzzling things the off-road brand offers are strollers. Because when you think of off-road vehicles, you think of baby carriers right?
Suggested by: Knyte
An explosion of tackiness occurred in 1973 when AMC partnered with Gucci. The result was 4,800 Hornet X Sportabout Wagons getting special Gucci editions. Outside the wagon came in green paint with white side stripes. Inside was where the Sportabout shined. Or shocked.
The front seats and door panels were covered in beige, green and red vinyl— Gucci’s signature look. The icing on the cake was a double G logo headliner.
Suggested by: Stu Chohen via Facebook
What exactly do an entry level, Brazilian market Volkswagen and one of the world’s most popular rock bands have in common? Beats me, but in 1995 VW debuted a Rolling Stones Edition of its Gol sub-compact. The special edition was meant to commemorate the Stone’s Brazilian leg of their Voodoo Lounge Tour. It came with a standard radio antenna, a radio cassette player and stickers that featured the album art of the Stone’s Voodoo Lounge album.
Suggested by: edu-petrolhead
Ford seemed like it may have wanted Nautica to be to Mercury what Eddie Bauer was to Ford: an outdoorsy apparel brand that could be used as a special edition trim. That’s what Mercury did in 1993 with the Villager Nautica. Initially, you could tell a Villager Nautica apart by its dark blue and white two-tone exterior paint with yellow pinstripe. Inside, there were blue leather seats with white/gray inserts with the Nautica logo, and a custom set of Nautica designed duffel bags. Unsurprisingly, the Nautica branding never went beyond the Villager.
Suggested by: Eric Shoup via Facebook (and a few others)
In 2001, BMW decided that it wanted to get in on other means of mobility. Rather than getting an early start on things like EVs or autonomous cars, engineers at the brand decided they wanted to make a skateboard. Thus, the Street Carver was born.
BMW designed it so that riders could “experience the thrill of surfing or snowboarding. Wherever there’s pavement.” It featured a fancy steering system that was taken from the first gen 5 Series and safety features like rubber grip tapes on the sides to prevent slipping and wear indicators on the wheels so riders knew when they needed to be changed. BMW made the Street Carver from 2001-2004, selling them for $500 a piece.
Suggested by: Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
Want to guess what clothing brand Chrysler paired with for a special edition 200? You mean, you didn’t immediately guess workwear brand Carhartt, a natural choice for a pseudo-luxury rental car staple, two brands that seemingly have nothing in common besides being from Detroit?
Back in the early 2010s when Chrysler was trying to get back on its footing, the brand was running its “Imported from Detroit” tagline. During this time, the brand collaborated with Carhartt, a Detroit based brand known for making durable work clothes and boots. The two brands came together in a special edition version of the Chrysler 200. Aside from seats covered in water resistant black fabric with a triple seam stitch pattern, gray and black interior accents, the 200 Special Edition was just your usual, run of the mill Chrysler 200 S.
Suggested by: Maymar