"Shared Custody"

10 October 2023

90s

In the middle.

Divorce is never easy, especially when a child Toyota Hilux is involved. When the couple in this ninety-second commercial separate and the agenda turns to said pick-up truck, their lawyer says the only fair solution is shared custody.

Director Tim Bullock runs and runs with the concept, as the two 'parents' agree on to do what's best for the vehicle and . We just love the idea that a pick-up truck can handle rough terrain and heavy loads, but is vulnerable to emotional trauma.

At first the couple play favourites: she takes it to the beach, he takes it camping. She buys it a new chamois cloth, he installs a cheeky snorkel ("We said we were going to wait to get it a snorkel"). Still, no need to get the courts involved à la 'Kramer vs Kramer'.

The couple even warm to each other again when they realise just how empty the passenger seat is. Coupled with the cheesy as hell strains of 'Can't Fight This Feeling' by REO Speedwagon, it's a real pick-me-up of a pickup ad from down under.

Australia

Cars