Click for dogtacular hi-res photo gallery
Honda has come up with a special edition vehicle that combines my fascination with all things kei with my love for our canine friends. It's all uniquely Japanese of course, which makes it even better. Seriously, stuff like this is the reason I keep an eye on JDM happenings. Getting to the point, I'm referring to the newly released Honda Vamos Travel Dog edition.
The Vamos, for those of you unfamiliar with Honda's home-market offerings, is a kei-class minivan (that incidentally can be made to look unbelievably cool with aftermarket help). The Travel Dog edition equips it with several features that make it easier to accommodate your furry best friends when they're along for the ride.
What's it consist of? Follow the jump for more.
[Source: Honda Japan]
The Travel Dog package nets drivers eponymous decals on the rear quarters and tailgate, wipeable mats for the rear cargo floor and second-row seatbacks (if you have dogs, you understand how key this is), water-repellent and odor-resistant seat/door panel upholstery, a removable pet seatcover for the back seat, antibacterial and tick-resistant floormats (complete with pawprint pattern), and even a little travel tote for Rover's gear and snacks.
Only in Japan, folks. I await Mitsubishi's response. How about a full-on Hello Kitty cat-lover's edition Delica D:5 -- complete with litter box, cat trees, catnip tray -- the works. Let the JDM animal-car war begin!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Barney @ Feb 1st 2007 10:20PM
The van looks very versatile and those look like very nice dogs. However, I am against taking animals in a vehicle without an appropriate seatbelt.
The rear seats appear to be easy to drop and make a flat floor. There don't appear to be a lot of room otherwise.
omar @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:09AM
i remember this on top gear. They hade so much fun of it and rightly so.
Jim @ Feb 2nd 2007 7:02AM
This was announced with a Honda press release dated April 24, 2003. That was 1381 days ago.
http://world.honda.com/news/2003/4030424.html
Thanks for the hot news tip. Really cutting edge.
Alex Nunez @ Feb 2nd 2007 9:00AM
Jim,
This Vamos is the refreshed version with the new front end. As such, this is a relaunched Travel Dog and the press materials posted are new as of 2/1.
http://www.honda.co.jp/news/2007/4070201-vamos.html
hondacura @ Feb 2nd 2007 10:50AM
I love Honda. They definitely are a unique company. Very positive innovator, overall industry leader and they are not trying to the automaker who makes the most vehicles. Take a note GM. Honda Japan make vehicles there definitely for those consumers.
Jayne @ Feb 7th 2007 6:47AM
All well and good for the pet owner... but it's too small to haul both my Rottweiler and my cattle dog to training whilst in their crates.
Lin @ Feb 7th 2007 8:12AM
Very nice.. Honda can figure out what the consumer wants..hmmm.. Wish I had a vehicle with a coffee machine.. Most important, perhaps the yahoo's who sit dogs in the bed of their pickups (and sometimes even passengers) might take note?
Cathy @ Feb 7th 2007 8:32AM
All these "dog friendly features" are also excellent for small children! Water repellant, odor resistant, anti-bacterial, wipeable mats (yeah - even the tick -resistant feature! ;-) Why didn't someone come up with this a long time ago?
pink13xoxo @ Feb 7th 2007 9:16AM
This is absolutly rediculus. You can just buy doggy saftey stuff at Petsmart.
Please Comment back.
Cathy @ Feb 7th 2007 9:21AM
How about a custom order being made available with purchase, making a safe built in travel cage for those of us with our lifelong feathered friends. It is difficult to secure travel cages safely. Nice manufacturers are remembering we have all different types of family and family members! Cathy
Larry P. @ Feb 7th 2007 10:36AM
I agree with the cage concept. Not only for birds, but dogs as well. This also acts as a restraint for "free flying" animals in the case of an accident. Built in cage, and built in pet restraints would be appropriate, as well as water wells, and remivable liners for the floors. Ps. I drive a pet taxi , and have for the last 10 years
Larry P. @ Feb 7th 2007 10:48AM
Thats the japan plant, Honda is in Alabama
Annabelle @ Feb 7th 2007 10:57AM
Honda is on the right track. But our two German Shepherds like to travel in luxury (not on the floor). Our van has all leather seats and luxury upgrades. The rear seat folds backward (rather than forward) to make a big bed (which is covered in sheepskin). The dogs look out the windows as they ride comfortably on the bed (or in crates atop the bed). Being able to control the rear windows/doors and heat/air from the driver's seat is a big plus. There are pockets for their toys, leashes and poop bags. Let's see a luxury version of the Vamos!
Puffruff @ Feb 7th 2007 11:26AM
One thing I know my dog would like is rear windows that roll down enough to stick his snout out.
BluZ @ Feb 7th 2007 11:28AM
It looks utterly boring. Where does anyone see the interest? Most van floors are washable and rubber mats are cheap. The upholstery may also be washable but it looks cheap. Where are the safety features for the dogs, for instance a back screen so puppies and young dogs they don’t come flying out when the back or front doors are opened? ? I don’t see much comfort or safety for the people either? Where is the fold-out spill proof water feature for long trips and hot days and for after romps?
Doggy van ? HA ! Inexpensive…perhaps… but definitely cheap looking and I don’t see any reason to call it a doggy friendly. Fancy marketing to make up for cheap merchandise.
beagle mm @ Feb 7th 2007 11:49AM
The van looks cheap, and I don't really see anything about it that is designed for a dogs comfort OR safety.
When I popped open this article I expected to see some new innovative design with safety harnesses for your dogs, new doggy-comfort seating, food and water dishes so you could care for them on long trips, etc.
This is nothing more than a regular van with rubber mats(available at Walmart), basic vinyl upholstery (In my day we called that CHEAP), and a little tote bag thingy for toys, (also available at Wal-mart $5.99)
I would LOVE to see some auto manufacturer actually come up with a "dog friendly" add on package for their vehicles. But I would expect it to be as I stated above, something specifically designed to add to the comfort and SAFETY of my pets. NOT just some crappy mats with paw prints on them.
Honda.. get real.
shananscot @ Feb 7th 2007 12:04PM
I like the idea but I just went out and bought the honda minivan for my dogs and it works just great. Middle seats were taken out and have been in the garage since day one. The third room seats fold back into the floor. I feel funny riding around in a minivan with out the human kids so I just put those little people sticker things with man, dog, dog, and me on the back window. Works great as a dog van. And my English Mastiff loves the room, and the back windows that go down. He is tall enough to stick his head out of them.
shananscot @ Feb 7th 2007 12:24PM
I like the idea but I just went out and bought the honda minivan for my dogs and it works just great. Middle seats were taken out and have been in the garage since day one. The third room seats fold back into the floor. I feel funny riding around in a minivan with out the human kids so I just put those little people sticker things with man, dog, dog, and me on the back window. Works great as a dog van. And my English Mastiff loves the room, and the back windows that go down. He is tall enough to stick his head out of them.
MKF @ Feb 7th 2007 2:17PM
For a pet- friendly vehicle from Honda, try the RidgeLine with an after market ($1500) cap. Keep your crate in the back. After wet,messy romps, dog goes into crate. On nice days, safety harness them in the (60/40 split) back seat. Keep a cooler full of goodies for you & pet in the in-bed trunk. Very versatile.
Catherine @ Feb 7th 2007 2:20PM
A truly pet friendly van would have a stay-cool (or warm) feature. My beloved rescue dog has severe separation anxiety, cannot be left home alone, and should not be left in a vehicle which magnifies the exterior temperature. All the rest of your ideas, while clever, are not life altering.
And why just pets? Many of us care for aging parents who, while wanting to join us on our travels and errand running, sometimes prefer to wait in the car.
Thanks for listening...
(Don't want to roast my dog or my mom.)
Catherine (Southern California)