As it is the 1st of April today, we thought we would share our favourite (what we assume to be) April Fools Day prank automotive news stories:
Start Rescue Launches Touch-Free Winching with SPOOF Technology
Start Rescue has revealed some new (and potentially game changing) recovery tech in the form of a wireless system that tows cars without ever touching them. The new system, known as SPOOF (Special Protection Over Outer Frame), uses a kind of “magic” forcefield to recover broken-down vehicles, offering a gentler, faster alternative to traditional winching.
Designed to eliminate the risk of damage from hooks and straps, SPOOF is aimed at speeding up roadside recovery while keeping vehicles pristine.
The system is being trialled with the help of Highway Operations and Experiments (HOAX), specialists in touchless recovery systems. If testing goes as planned, the technology is set to roll out officially in April 2026.
“Many have tried to develop a touch-free recovery system, but SPOOF is the first and we believe it will make a mockery of traditional methods.”
Dr Lookma Nohands, lead designer at HOAX
Free Tattoo With Every New Volkswagen
Volkswagen is offering a free tattoo to anyone who orders a new car on April 1st. The one-day promotion, fittingly called All-ink from Volkswagen, nods to the brand’s existing All-in servicing plan.
Inspired by countless social media posts of tattoos celebrating everything from the iconic Beetle to GTI tartan seats, Volkswagen is giving new car buyers a chance to join the club. On the 1st of April, tattoo artists will be stationed at UK Volkswagen retailers, ready to create custom designs for anyone placing a new car order.
Whether it’s the timeless VW logo, a nod to the Polo’s 50th anniversary, or a stylised ID. badge, customers can request bespoke tattoos that showcase their automotive passion. Ideas even include features like the brand’s in-car wellness icons or a tribute to their massage seats, designed with orthopaedic input.
As part of the offer, Volkswagen promises proper tattoo aftercare and, true to form, plenty of tatisfaction- mirroring the customer peace of mind found in its All-in plan, which bundles servicing, MOTs, and roadside assistance.
Honda Launches Catnip Car Seats
Honda has unveiled a new way to keep both cats and their owners calm on car journeys: Catnip Car Seats. Available across the entire range from April 1st, the feline-friendly upgrade is designed to make vet visits less of a battle.
Honda’s solution for an angry cat in your car is to infuse seat foam with catnip.
The Catnip Car Seats are available in both cloth and leather finishes and fit every model in Honda’s line-up, from the Jazz to the CR-V.
This latest addition follows Honda’s ongoing push into pet-friendly features, joining previous creations like the Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat and the Pet-Activated Wireless System (PAW-S). Coming soon is said to be a gear lever scratch post, an infotainment fishbowl, and a ball-of-string glovebox.
“Honda has always worked tirelessly to ensure that all our vehicles are pet-friendly, and this latest innovation proves that nothing is im-paw-sible when it comes to keeping our furry friends happy on the move. With our Catnip Car Seats, we’ve taken the stress and scratches that are usually part and parcel of transporting family felines and turned every journey into a paw-sitive experience.”
Annie Mal, Honda’s head of Pet Products
OMODA&JAECOO UK Launches A Chopstick Holder Accessory
OMODA&JAECOO is launching an in-car chopstick holder. Priced at £82.69, this dealer-fit add-on caters to those who want to celebrate their love of Chinese cuisine while on the road.
Available for the OMODA 5, E5, and JAECOO 7, the holder is smartly integrated into each model’s cabin. In the JAECOO 7, it finds its place neatly beside the infotainment screen, while in the OMODA models, it tucks into the front cubby hole.
“Stylish innovation that makes life easier—and tastier—is what we’re about,” says Hugh More, Accessories Director at OMODA&JAECOO UK. A self-confessed chow mein enthusiast, More highlights the cultural nod behind the idea. “With over 45 billion pairs of chopsticks produced annually, we felt it was time they had a proper place in the car. This is our tribute to one of the world’s oldest and most elegant utensils.”
The chopstick holder is available now across the brand’s 72 UK dealerships and can also be retrofitted to existing vehicles.
It’s worth noting, though, that chopsticks aren’t included, and any resulting mess from mid-drive snacking is down to you.
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