Disney teams up with Volkswagen for the Zootopia 2 Sequel

People watching the holiday blockbuster movie Zootopia 2 will notice some vehicles that closely resemble Volkswagen models. That is because Disney and Volkswagen embarked on a cross-promotion for the movie. Bud Brown Volkswagen gives you the details.   

Since the beginning of animation itself, anthropomorphic animal characters have been used to represent humans and particular human characteristics. The Zootopia movies take this to the extreme, imagining an entire world where there are no humans, but every animal species can think and behave like humans. It explores what a modern society like our own would be like if run and populated entirely by such animals who still retain their species-specific characteristics. 

The first movie saw the pairing of Jennifer Hopps, a rookie policewoman (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) who often isn’t taken seriously because she is a bunny, and Nick Wilde, a grifter fox (Jason Bateman). Together, they solve the mysterious crime of what is making predatory species significantly more predatory.   

The second film features the same two characters as they solve another mystery in the city of Zootopia. Along the way, they encounter characters voiced by Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Alan Tudyk, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, and Shakira, who also sings the movie’s theme song. While most of the characters in the film are mammals, a new snake character appears as an antagonist. 

Three identifiable VW models can be seen in the film, though they have the brand of “Wolfswagen”, which combines an animal reference and VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters. The three “Wolfswagen” vehicles in the movie are all EVs, including the ID.4 and two models not sold in the US, the ID.3, a compact hatchback, and the ID.7 Touring, a luxury midsize wagon.   

“Cooperation plays an important role when it comes to effectively implementing emotional storytelling for the Volkswagen brand and reaching new customer groups. ‘Zootopia 2’ shows how important it is to question prejudices and break new ground together in an entertaining way; these are values that Volkswagen also embodies. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Walt Disney Animation Studios to ‘Zootopify’ our brand in the film in a perfectly funny way.” – Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of Volkswagen. 

Prior to the film’s theatrical release, Volkswagen released its co-branded campaign commercial. The 30-second spot builds anticipation for the new animated adventure and shows the Volkswagen models with a ‘Zootopified’ look to match the film. It also features the Shakira song “Zoo”.  

Visit Bud Brown Volkswagen to experience the non-Zootopified ID.4 and the great models in the Volkswagen lineup.