Ahead of its time in the 1940s, the Citroën H-Van's unique design makes it a vehicle like no other – and that's exactly why many brands make it the focus of their on-the-road campaigns. But how can you tell if it’s right for you?
Read on to discover the benefits of Citroën H-Van hire, along with potential challenges, the models available, and a selection of our previous campaign wins.
Why should I hire a Citroën H-Van?
Here’s why the Citroën catering van is so popular for live events and multi-stop tours.
Its unique shape attracts a crowd
Vintage vehicles turn heads and get people to approach, but the H-Van takes this to the next level. Ideal for year-round activations, it’s the perfect way to amplify your message and present your brand to a live audience. The corrugated sides and iconic front cab already stand out, but with your logo and colours, it'll be a true showcase for your brand.
Great for local activities
While long journeys are best avoided, you can confidently take this vehicle out on the town. Capture pictures and reels near famous landmarks, run a ‘gifting’ or sampling campaign, or drive around for more exposure. Whatever you have in mind, the classic H-Van is highly versatile and more than able to take on local journeys.
The perfect fit for busy locations
Holding your event in a city centre? Our Citroën H-Vans (including our modern Relay Type-H) can fit in tight spaces inaccessible to larger vehicles. So, there’s more flexibility when it comes to venues, including high streets, festivals, shopping centres and even train stations. It’s compact and practical while still providing visual impact!
A budget-friendly option
Airstreams and double-deckers may be more ostentatious, but they’re also more expensive. Citroën H-Van hire suits tighter budgets, ensuring you don’t have to spend a lot to be seen. And because it’s smaller, you can potentially customise the interior at a lower cost, then use the money saved for props or a 3D roof sign.
What do I need to consider with H-van hire?
Every campaign has its challenges. Think about the below to get yours on the right track.
A compact footprint
Everyone loves the style of the H-Van, but the limited size means it can be hard for tall people to stand comfortably. It can also fit few staff members at once, especially with counters and storage chests installed. If you’re concerned about space, have no fear – we offer more than the classic van. The image shows one of our long wheelbase models, but we also have a classic horse box and modern Citroën Type H Relay!
Internal customisation
Most brands use the Citroën catering van to serve delicious food. This means thinking practically about the placement of freezers, griddles and beverage makers. You should also think about decorating. With Promohire, the whole vehicle is branded inside and out, so you can easily have a slogan along the back wall for a consistent finish.
While branding comes as standard, we also have a design and build service that could take your H-Van to the next level. See our guide to design and build for more info.
Engaging people around the vehicle
Why stop at samples? The most disruptive events engage with the public in unique and creative ways. Think about how you could reach a new audience, using the vehicle to achieve your goals. Examples include competitions and spin-the-wheel games, photo-ops and DJ booths.
Want some inspiration? The Snickers ‘forgetful when you’re hungry’ van featured reservation cards that guests could take for a free Valentine's Day meal.
Which types of Citroën H-Van can I hire?
With several options available, you’re sure to find the perfect van for your campaign.
Classic H-Van
At 4.4 metres long, our standard model is a true classic and the most popular simply because it is so timeless. Decorate it with a branded colour or go with a contrasting pattern; its unique look will get you noticed and encourage people to see what’s on offer.
Pair this decorative flair with welcoming brand ambassadors to give guests a positive experience they’ll be happy to share online
Long wheelbase van
With a length of 6.5 metres, the long wheelbase H-Van is the go-to choice for more ambitious campaigns. It’s one of the most efficient samplers in the fleet thanks to a serving hatch that runs the length of the chassis, while the bigger size allows more room for staff, storage and displays.
The Citroën catering van offers greater flexibility, and you can even create multiple serving stations for a bigger and more ambitious campaign.
Below: A video highlighting how Gaviscon used one of our long wheelbase H-Vans.
Citroën Relay Type H
Want a modern take on the classic? Our latest model, the Citroën Type H combines modern reliability with vintage appeal for the best of both worlds. It can be driven further, for more demanding campaigns where you need extra flexibility.
The Citroën Relay is also bigger than the classic, allowing a 6-foot member of staff to stand fully upright. It’s designed to resemble the vintage vehicle, so you’ll enjoy a more practical model that’s every bit as stylish.
Horsebox H-Van
With the most headroom, this horsebox van removes the height constraints for a more comfortable environment. The added height also makes it slightly more visible, while the horsebox style creates a rustic, country vibe that’s hard to beat.
Fenwick used this vehicle as a mobile cocktail and tasting bar, complete with A-board menus and a QR code which could be scanned for more info.
How the Citroën H-Van helped brands succeed
Check out the following projects to see how an H-Van can bring your campaign to life.
Fresh – Launching products made from plant-based milk, this American brand wanted to highlight the health benefits by handing out free drinks made from the same ingredients. But first, they’d need a vehicle that lived up to their brand name! Their café setup featured a fresh blue Citroën H-Van hire, a matching mobile cart, decorative flowers and a 3D roof sign.
See Fresh’s milk-based sampling activation
Google – In celebration of the Google Home Mini device, the tech giant aimed to hit London’s roads with a fully branded mini doughnut shop. Guests took away either two free treats or one of these fancy new devices. The van was decorated in a delicious icing pink colour inside and out, a bright neon sign, and featured a 3D doughnut with sprinkles to attract the crowds.
Check out the Google Home Mini doughnut shop
HBO – How do you celebrate the launch of a global TV show on home video? With a vintage vehicle, of course! This famous network picked one of our classic H-Vans, which was fully branded to match the show’s themes. This campaign (featuring Bran Stark himself!) was highly successful, with thousands of fans attending across the capital.
Learn more about HBO’s vehicle PR Stunt
How much does Citroën H-Van hire cost?
With our budget calculator, you can quickly get an on-screen estimate for H-Van hire based on your number of activation days. While the true figure depends on the details of your campaign, this is a great way to see how much you can expect to pay for vehicle hire, branding and standard logistics.
If you need extra support, see our campaign costs and services guide for a quick rundown. This will help you decide if it’s the best choice for your campaign!
