The pint-sized, but still punching way above its weight, Suzuki Eeco van, has made a huge splash with small businesses right across South Africa since its introduction just over 12 months ago.
A value proposition that no other vehicle can match, the Eeco offers a loading bay measuring 1,620mm x 1,300mm or, in other words, the size of a standard pallet. A load capacity of 615kg means you don’t have to limit yourself to carrying feathers and a price of R212,900 means that it costs peanuts to buy!
It will cost peanuts to run as well, with a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine, developing 59kW and 104Nm to the rear wheels. This same engine has proven its reliability and power over many years of service in the Suzuki Super Carry pickup.
Low price doesn’t mean low specification; there’s air conditioning, dual front airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control. For ultimate loading practicality, there are twin sliding side doors and a large rear door.
So, that’s all lovely. But Suzuki South Africa is so pleased with the sales performance of the Eeco, that it has come over all generous with two initiatives.
The first sees Suzuki delivering an Eeco van to a number of pre-selected small businesses, which have been picked with the help of friends of the brand who shared the name of an entrepreneur who could do with a leg up.
Each of these entrepreneurs and small businesses will have access to an Eeco – rent-free – for three months.
“As with many of our other vehicles, the proof of the pudding is in the eating,’ said Brendon Carpenter, brand Marketing manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa. “We want entrepreneurs to drive the Eeco, see how much they can load and lock up in the loading bay and test for themselves how frugal the petrol engine ‘really’ is.”
#VanLife
The second initiative is called #VanLife. Suzuki recently challenged creative spirits and leisure equipment designers to create a ready-to-live camper van inside the Eeco.
This campaign saw the effective transformation of an Eeco where the designers, with the help of a third-party technical supplier, included as many homely comforts as possible, including seats, a bed that could convert into a seat, storage space and a basin with washing facilities. The two front seats could be left untouched.
The #VanLife campaign was inspired by social media stories of people who have converted large panel vans into mobile homes.
“Their novel use of space and unique ways of converting a start panel van into a homely living space drove us to try the same, but with a panel van that is compact and affordable,’ said Carpenter.
The budget-conscious approach Suzuki is taking with the Eeco #VanLife concept is already a big thing in India and Japan, with some of the creations having to be seen to be believed.
“In the end, the Eeco #VanLife concept shows that you don’t need a seven-figure budget and a heavy vehicle driver’s licence to enjoy the life of a nomad,’ continued Carpenter.
If you would like to get a closer look at the Eeco or Super Carry pickup, head to your local Suzuki dealer or to any one of the 318 Cashbuild stores around the country, where they will be on display and available for test.
For more information on both #VanLife and the Cashbuild initiative, visit www.suzukiauto.co.za
