# Italian City Cars The Fiat 500l Vans is Inspired by the Company's Iconic Shoes By Michael Hines | Published 2014-08-03 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiats-500l-vans References: [carbuzz](http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2014/7/27/Fiat-s-500L-Vans-Concept-is-an-Effort-to-Look-Cool-7721660/) & [autoblog](http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/26/fiat-500l-vans-concept-official/) Good words to describe the [Fiat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-500e-x-giorgio-armani) 500L Vans concept include "tubular" and "radical." The Italian automaker let the California shoe company modify its [four-door 500](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-and-deus-ex-machin), although the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine remained untouched. The changes were strictly aesthetic, save for the four LED daytime running lights and two foglights added. On the roof is Vans' signature checkerboard pattern, while the interior features a dashboard filled with the company's stickers. The seats are made out of canvas, just like the shoes, and feature palms black palm trees against a blue background. The pedals were also modified and feature [Vans' waffle sole pattern](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-future-clog). The Fiat 550L Vans model isn't likely to see a production run, so enjoy these photos while you wistfully wonder "what if." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 53% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Customized Collaborations:** The collaboration between Fiat and Vans represents a trend of car manufacturers partnering with lifestyle brands to create unique, customized products. - **Aesthetic Modifications:** The Fiat 500L Vans concept showcases an emerging trend of automakers focusing on purely aesthetic changes to attract niche markets. - **Branding Integration:** The integration of Vans' signature checkerboard pattern and stickers into the Fiat 500L Vans highlights a trend of cross-branding and co-branding strategies in the automotive industry. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive:** The Fiat 500L Vans concept opens up opportunities for car manufacturers to collaborate with lifestyle brands and tap into new target markets. - **Fashion:** The collaboration between Fiat and Vans presents a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for fashion brands to venture into the automotive industry and influence car design in a unique way. - **Advertising & Marketing:** The Fiat 500L Vans concept demonstrates the potential for creating impactful cross-branding campaigns and experiential marketing initiatives that merge automotive and lifestyle brands. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fashion Designer City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-500e-x-giorgio-armani.md) - [Panda-Inspired Retro Car Conepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/megapanda.md) - [Compact Off-Road EV Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-grande-panda-4x4-concept.md) - [Italian Architecture-Inspired EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lancia-pura-hpe.md) - [Colorful Vivid Small Automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-1.md) - [Limited-Run Electric Crossovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-600e-abarth.md) - [Artistically Rendered One-Of-A-Kind Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romero-britto.md) - [Compact Italian EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2022-abarth-500-ev.md) - [Bright Miniature Electric Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/topolino-ev.md)