Volkswagen MY partners local streetwear brand to save endangered Malayan Tapir

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia has tied up with local denim streetwear brand Tarik Jeans to raise funds and awareness for the endangered Malayan Tapir with an exclusively designed capsule collection, “Modern Nostalgia”.

The collection marries modern and iconic Volkswagen models with local classic and vintage design elements. Among the list of items available in the collection include T-shirts, caps, bandanas, tote bags, key chains and clothing patches. A total of 50% of all proceeds generated from the sales of this campaign will be donated to the Kenaboi Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan on World Tapir Day on 27 April. The "Modern Nostalgia" is available at all Volkswagen authorised dealers in Malaysia, on Tarik Jeans' website, as well as on Shopee and Zalora. A+M has reached out to Volkswagen for additional information on the collection and its marketing initiatives.

Together with the Malayan tigers, Borneo elephants and orangutans, the Malayan Tapir is an endangered species. Erik Winter, managing director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia, said a key pillar for Volkswagen is sustainability, and the group is investing heavily in this cause with over 500 sustainability projects worldwide. "We are pleased to play our part in this meaningful project, and we will certainly not stop here as we will continue to explore ways to contribute to making a difference," he added.

Afiq Iskandar, founder and CEO of Tarik Jeans said the Malayan Tapir has always been part of the Tarik design aesthetics so much so that it was added as the brand’s logo. This was in addition to the the main logo of the mamak teh tarik, which were both created along the lines of the company's brand philosophy.

"In commemorating Tarik’s 10th year anniversary, we are honoured to partner with Volkswagen. ‘Modern Nostalgia’ as a capsule collection speaks a lot about the archetypal Volkswagen models and Tarik’s penchant for the retro-futurism Malaysian design scheme," he added.

The automotive brand recently played cupid to its users on Valentine's Day with a social media campaign “Score a Fling”. Inspired by the dating app Tinder, the campaign hoped to match its consumers to the car of their choice. The cars come with various personified descriptions that exhibit different traits, as one sees on dating apps.