If you want a fun way to add Eastern style into a UK activation, you won’t find better than a branded tuk tuk. This compact vehicle is perfect for mobile sampling and brand awareness tours, and with a striking appearance, it’s instantly recognisable. But does that mean it’s right for your campaign?
This guide covers everything you need to know about tuk tuk hire, from the key benefits to practical considerations, plus how these vehicles have been used to gain new fans.
Why should I hire a promotional tuk tuk?
Here’s why tuk tuks are great for all kinds of mobile activations…
A style from the Far East
Dating back to Japan in the 1930s, these vehicles are now mostly associated with Thailand. When you think of a tuk tuk, it naturally conjures ideas of quaint mountain villages and a different way of life – and that’s exactly why people gravitate towards them. This also means they’re ideal for Asian brands looking to promote in a fully authentic way.
Compact and agile
While you shouldn’t take a custom tuk tuk on extended journeys, they can easily navigate tight roads and back alleys. So, a branded tuk tuk lets you reach audiences in busy locations where large setups might struggle. And with a smaller footprint, you can hire multiple tuk tuks with matching designs, all so you can get disruptive with your campaign.
A very cost-effective option
Because of the vehicle’s size, tuk tuk hire is one of the cheapest options around. This means you could have the money to brand multiple tuk tuks for your event, or you could hire a tuk tuk to complement a large vehicle and take your campaign to the next level.
A great addition to any city-based event, a branded tuk tuk will get people talking without breaking the bank.
An interactive vehicle
With an open-sided design, tuk tuks break down barriers between the brand and audience – creating a more personal vibe. Its design also means you can hand out freebies on the go or pick up and drop off guests in the local area.
We wouldn’t recommend extended trips, but promotional tuk tuks can be the perfect choice for doorstep campaigns.
What do I need to consider?
Make your activation sing by thinking about the following….
Branding and customisation
With tuk tuk hire, you get a fully branded vehicle that’s fun and eye-catching. But with limited surfaces to decorate, you’ll have to think about how best to get your message out there. Bold colours and wild imagery will grab attention, but with our bespoke design and build service, you can always take things further.
Check out what we did for Carabao as inspiration. It featured an abstract bull’s head, a closed rear for extra branding, and a flatscreen TV for extra impact.
Taking your activation online
Once you’ve got your branded tuk tuk, you’ll naturally want to shout about it. So, why not take your campaign online with a photoshoot for social posts? A custom tuk tuk always looks the part in pictures and reels, and by shooting your vehicle at various stages of the campaign, you allow online viewers feel like they're part of the fun.
You’ll also want to encourage social sharing to expand your reach. Our content capture service can show your campaign at its best and your your branded tuk tuk in action.
See how Rubicon used tuk tuk hire to advertise its colourful range of street drinks.
Staffing and restocking
It’s important to get the right event staff, especially if you’re looking to forge connections. That’s why we have a robust staffing network that understands our vehicles and can encourage guests to dive right in. Visit our staffing guide to learn about brand ambassadors, event managers and more.
There’s also restocking to think about. If you’re handing out samples, then a custom tuk tuk probably won’t have room for all your items – making a fulfilment service essential! We can store your products for as long as you need, then send them via support vehicle when you need them.
Which types of tuk tuk can I hire?
There are three tuk tuks in our fleet, just waiting to be customised. Each is about 1.7 metres tall and between 2.5 and 3 metres long. All three tuk tuks can be hired at once, allowing you to run a creative campaign that’s very different from the norm.
Your vehicle will be transported by loader to your event space, and if you choose to have more than one, we can ensure your branding’s consistent across each vehicle.
How tuk tuk hire helped brands succeed
These brands used tuk tuks to stand out and meaningfully engage with their audience.
Belvedere Vodka
With a pop-up called ‘Café Belvedere’ for London Fashion Week, this famous vodka brand wanted a way to shuttle editors and fashion-goers between venues. They hired 3 branded tuk tuks, each featuring vibrant blue colours, high-class logos and a white tree design. We managed delivery, provided drivers, and stored the vehicles safely away when they weren’t in use.
Raise a glass to Belvedere’s Fashion Week shuttle
Chang Beer
This Thai brand advertised its beer with a promotional tuk tuk for a busy summer festival. Knowing the vehicle’s potential on social media, Chang encouraged people to take photos with the hashtag #ChangBeer and gave entertainers a chance to hop on board. It’s a great example of what tuk tuk hire can do for customer engagement!
Tap into the Chang tuk tuk case study here
How much does it cost to hire a tuk tuk?
Our budget calculator shows that the price for tuk tuk hire starts at around £6,800 for a 7-day activation. This price excludes VAT but includes logistics and the branded wrap.
If you’d like a better idea of how much your campaign will cost overall, check out our promotional costs and services guide. You can also see the 8 steps of campaign planning for help getting started.
Click below to see if tuk tuk hire is the most cost-effective choice for your activation!
