Strange marketing campaign of the week: Buy a truck, get a goat

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In today’s economic climate, Peter Wilkins of Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand figured every little bit helps. And in the spirit of bizarre gift-giving, he launched a marketing plan designed to increase sales of the Mitsubishi Triton -- buy a Triton, get a goat. Absolutely free! From the Brisbane Courier-Mail:

Goats improved farm productivity by defending against weeds, were cheaper than toxic sprays, and there was no risk of goat flu affecting the tourism industry, [Wilkins] told NZPA.

‘We are aware that three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to float the goat?’’

If the purchaser already had enough goats, Mitsubishi would supply a no-goat package including a five-year/100,000 km extended warranty, five free warrant of fitness inspections, 5000 km road user charges, five years of roadside assistance and $500 of genuine or approved Triton accessories.

The free-goat offer extends through July and applies only to Triton purchases. The Triton is a ‘ute,’ defined by U.S. News & World Report’s automotive reviews section as ‘a vehicle with the front end of a family sedan and the rear end of a pickup truck.’ Hmmm...sounds like the more appropriate animal gift would be the mythical Chimera, a goat-lion-dragon hybrid. Too bad we weren’t consulted beforehand.

--Lindsay Barnett