Facebook Meets the Sixties

Volkswagen won't be the first auto manufacturer to integrate social media functions into their vehicles.

In the past year GM has added hands-free calling and texting, turn-by-turn navigation, and Facebook features into its OnStar roadside assistance system, allowing drivers to listen to their Facebook news feed, get directions, and respond to text messages via voice command. Prior to that, Ford introduced its Microsoft-powered Sync system, which provides drivers and passengers with hands-free calling and texting, voice-activated music selection, smartphone app connectivity, and GPS navigation.

But Volkswagen might be the first to retrofit these features - or some of them, at least in a manner of speaking - into a classic van or beetle.



One Facebook fan of Volkswagen Nederland will win the title to the Volkswagen "Fanwagen," which will come stocked with a "Feed-O-Matic" Facebook newsfeed printer in the dashboard, a gearshift in the shape of the Facebook "Like" symbol, a license plate displaying one's relationship status, a poke button on the steering wheel, a "Friend Finder" map with one's friends' hometowns plotted on it, a birthday notification system, and privacy settings (Facebook-blue curtains over the windows).

All of Volkswagen Nederland's Facebook fans get to help choose which iconic VW vehicle will come with all these trimmings. As of 8:00am this morning, the van was beating out the beetle with 69% of the votes.

Pretty fun idea from Volkswagen. Not because many consumers will get to enjoy driving a Facebook-connected vehicle (only one will win the Fanwagen, even if the vehicle's features do actually work), but because consumers get to chuckle about this whimsical mix of old and new, and get to vote for their favorite VW classic.

Folks (or "volks") enjoy whimsy, enjoy being connected, and enjoy a little bit of nostalgia. Combining these elements in a social-media campaign can be a great way to create a bit of fun for consumers - and potentially strengthen your fan base.