The upcoming replacement for the ageing Captiva mid-size SUV, the Equinox, is undergoing its final stages of local trials before its launch at the end of the year. And honestly, there’s quite a lot riding on this one. Not only is the market very competitive - generally and especially now - but it will also pip the all-new Commodore as Holden’s first new vehicle introduction after shutting down its local manufacturing efforts.
Mark Harland, Executive Director of Marketing for Holden, said: “Equinox is a brand-new car for Holden but it’s been kicking goals in North America and winning multiple awards in the process. It’s the perfect vehicle for substance-driven, adventure-seeking families, thanks to its long list of high-tech features and practicality.”
But Holden doesn’t just want to spring the Equinox (hehe) on the waiting Australian buyers, and has chosen instead to get the car a little more acclimatised to the landscape, cityscape, and people - it will tasked with negotiating or transporting, and vice versa. This is why three Equinoxes will be roaming the streets of Melbourne. Openly.
Granted, as you can see here the car is wearing some camo, but rather than its purpose being to obscure and obfuscate, they’re encouraging passersby to take pictures of it and share them with friends and family, enticing them with a chance to win a trip for two to Noosa if their photo is picked as the winner. All they’d have to do is upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #HoldenEquinox.
You also might have noticed that the car’s disguise is a little more considered than usual - which is usually just some variation of urban came pattern or having everything blacked-out. That’s because Holden has partnered with actress and musician Natalie Bassingthwaigte, specifically her clothing brand Chi Khi, to design a more eye-catching pattern.
They’re going as far as calling it an ‘Art Car’, but we do have a couple of objections as to their definition of such. On a lighter note, this morning (22nd September), Holden ‘heroes’ were busy handing out bunches of fresh flowers at train stations across the country in addition to planting ad fresh living plant billboards in Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as painted wall design in Sydney.
For more on Holden cars, check out our Showroom.
