Once again, it is April 1st, and that means it's very wise to take a breath and check any and all stories appearing in your news feed for actual, verifiable facts. That's pretty good advice for any day of the month, of course, but especially so today, April Fools' Day 2025. It's the day when many a car maker's marketing department gets an attack of the comedies and tries to fool us with gag press releases that vary from the pretty funny to the downright cringy. Here's the pick of 2025's April Fools news stories...
Skoda's texting grille
Skoda really has introduced new styling for its electric SUV lineup of Elroq and Enyaq, called the 'Tech Deck' face with its slim digital light panel that runs just under the leading edge of the bonnet.
However, the claim made today that this panel can be used to broadcast helpful text messages to others is somewhat wide of the mark. “If desired, owners can programme a series of sentences to deliver a longer message, a reminder to perform a household chore or even a favourite poem. And, for owners who don't have the time or inclination to write their own messages, the system also contains a selection of pre-programmed sentences,” claims a Skoda spokesperson memorably called April Prima.
Honda's cat-friendly car seats
Having trouble getting your family pet to get on board for a long journey? Well, Honda has the perfect solution - catnip car seats, on which your precious pussycat will happily perch without the need for a struggle to get them into a hated crate.
Honda's (entirely fictional) head of Pet Products, Annie Mal, commented: “Honda has always worked tirelessly to ensure that all our vehicles are pet-friendly, and this latest innovation proves that nothing is im-paw-sible when it comes to keeping our furry friends happy on the move. With our Catnip Car Seats, we've taken the stress and scratches that are usually part and parcel of transporting family felines and turned every journey into a paw-sitive experience.”
Scalextric high-speed caterpillar
Remember the very hungry caterpillar? Well here comes the very rapid caterpillar, as Scalextric appears to have taken some - ahem - inspiration from Marks & Spencer's famous Colin the Caterpillar cake to create Carlos the Caterpillar, a high-speed Lepidoptera which the company says is: “Here to shake up racing, and we have no doubt he'll be a fan favourite - especially among those with a taste for something sweet.” Hard to be-leaf? I'll get my coat...
Help with towing?
Getting a broken-down car onto the back of a recovery truck can be difficult. It requires high-strength winching gear, and a highly trained operator to do it without damaging the car or the truck. Well, no longer! Now, Special Protection Over Outer Frame (SPOOF) technology, developed by Start Rescue services is here to wirelessly lift your car up onto the back of the recovery truck, rather like a Star Trek tractor beam.
And if the acronym didn't give the game away, then consider the words of, ahem, Dr Lookma Nohands, lead designer at Highway Operations and Experiments, or HOAX for short, says: “Many have tried to develop a touch-free recovery system, but SPOOF is the first and we believe it will make a mockery of traditional methods.” Indeed.
Toyota's greeting cards
Toyota decided to celebrate April Fools with a set of phony greeting cards, which even included a traditional Hallmark-style rhyming greeting inside: “Valued customers and brand fans anew,
it seems we've pulled an April Fool's Prank on you. We regret to inform you that these cards are not real, but don't fret just yet, because here's the deal. Share these fun cards around to your mates, we want to be part of the moments you celebrate! Perhaps in the future we'll make these for real, but for now, it's a prank, from your favourite brand on wheels.”
The gag included a mocked up 'Have a Supra Birthday' complete with an image of the straight-six sports car wearing a party hat which we would 100 per cent buy for our friends if only it were real. C'mon Toyota, make this April Fools come true.
Leapmotors exercise mat
Finally, there's another which really could and maybe should be true. Leapmotor might be a newcomer to the European market but clearly has its April Fools stuff well worked out, with a phony press release announcing the 'Leap Mat charging device,' which will “enable customers to charge their car while exercising. This expertly crafted charging technology allows consumers to keep fit and healthy on the go.” Seems like a better idea than spending an evening in a wet supermarket car park, hooked up to a slow charger.
Omoda/Jaecoo chopsticks
The Chinese brands are really getting into the swing of the whole April Fools thing, and newly arrived Omoda and Jaecoo (neither are in the Irish market just yet) have launched a rival to Renault's (very real) baguette holder in the shape of a special clip to hold your chopsticks. Just the thing for roadside ramen. Commenting on the introduction of the chopstick holder accessory, Hugh More, Omoda & Jaecoo's UK Accessories Director, said: "At Omoda & Jaecoo, we're all about stylish innovation that makes life easier and tastier."
Volkswagen's free tattoos
Another which we kind of wish was true is Volkswagen's promise to offer a free tattoo to everyone ordering a new VW today. Today being April 1st, of course. “Customers can request their own bespoke designs, perhaps including the VW logo, the Polo badge - to celebrate that car's 50th anniversary - GTI tartan, a Beetle, a Golf with turbo ink-jection... or how about the letters ID. or something to celebrate a favourite feature, such as the atmosphere icons from the new Wellness in-car app, the phrase 'hello IDA' or super-comfy massage seats developed with the help of leading orthopaedic specialists?” suggests the VW press office official, whose suspicious name is the brilliant Tatiana Prankster, Fabrication Process Manager at Volkswagen UK.
Autoglym body-care products
Finally, there's another April Fools product which we really wish was a real thing. Autoglym, the maker of high-end car cleaning products, has launched (not really) a range of body-care accessories for those who'd like to look and smell as good as a freshly-valeted Bentley.
The lineup includes Polar Wash shower gel and even an Autoglym cologne. Just dab it behind the steering wheel... er, ears. Dee Taylor, Head of Bodywork Formulations (Human Division) at Autoglym, commented: “We've been leading the car care industry for the past 60 years, and our customers are now telling us they want us to bring the same passion for perfection to their skin and body care regimes. Our lab has been working tirelessly to create products that have market-leading formulations which are synonymous with the Autoglym brand. Who wouldn't want to look as amazing as a freshly cleaned and polished car?”