July 21 – For Hannover 96 fans the often used football phrase “they came and parked their bus in front of the goal” took on a more literal meaning when 12 of them actually did it at the club’s HDI Arena.
The fans – winners of a competition – parked Volkswagen camper vans around the Bundesliga club’s pitch and stayed the night as part of a promotion run by club sponsor Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The promotion saw six original campers from Volkswagen’s T-series (including the class ‘California’ model) parked overnight.
The winners received an exclusive, one-hour sightseeing tour in the HDI Arena then took part in a penalty shootout with the winner off the stadium floodlights.
The winners then huddled around a large fire Basket and watched the cult film ‘The Bus’ and later sang along with the original singers the Hannover 96 anthem ‘Alte Liebe’.
The VW promotion was timed with a promotion for VW’s latest recreation vehicle. Ramsis Moussa, Head of Marketing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “It is a spectacular action with our cooperation partner Hannover 96 for fans to camp in the HDI Arena… What began with the Bulli as a rolling symbol of independence and freedom, has become the new California a true home on four wheels. The California is rightly the icon among camping and recreational vehicles, is like no other vehicle of its kind in over 60 years of independence, travel and fun. Of course, these days live on in the sixth generation of the new T-Series. “
The VW camper van is certainly an iconic vehicle and a symbol of lifestyle. And the Hannover 96 promotion was a step up from putting beach towels on deck chairs.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734830934labto1734830934ofdlr1734830934owedi1734830934sni@n1734830934osloh1734830934cin.l1734830934uap1734830934