V (drink)
V is an energy drink brand produced by Frucor (Frucor Beverages Ltd) since August 1997. V has a market share over 60% in New Zealand and 53% in Australia [citation needed], making it the most popular brand of energy drink in both countries. V is made in New Zealand and Australia by Frucor. V is available in four varieties, each sold in both 250 mL cans, 350 mL glass bottles and limited edition 300 mL aluminium bottles. V is also exported to the United Kingdom in cans and bottles, where it has seen increasing popularity since 2001. In 2007, Frucor also started to export its energy drink to the Netherlands, where it is becoming more and more popular. It is extremely healthy interms of health and nutrients. [citation needed] Even though this is the case the amount of sugar seemingly outways the benefits.
Key Ingredients
Brand portfolio
V
Released onto the New Zealand market in 1997 and Australia a short time later, V was something particularly different in the cold drinks market, with a distinct bottle and can it served as contrast against other drinks (which contained caffeine) that were on the market in 1997.
Black V
This was released in 2004 in both Australia and New Zealand. V Black is distinct in comparison to other variations of the V product in that it is not an alternative fruit flavour; rather it is a coffee flavored drink.
It's primary target market when released in Australia was studying students and was advertised as having a less acidic flavour. The intention being that a tired body tends to get an upset stomach more easily and while having twice the taurine of the other flavours was much gentler on the stomach. The taglines for the advertising campaign were Taste the smoothness and Release the night monkey.
Berry V
Released in New Zealand firstly in 2005 Berry V contains a distinct flavour of berries added to the core V flavour of the drink.
Berry V was released in Australia in 2007 giving Australia the same choice of V drinks as New Zealand.
Lemon V
Lemon V was released June 2008, with a yellow/gold themed label.
| V | Sugar free V | Black V | Berry V | Lemon V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 31 mg | 31 mg | 31 mg | 31 mg | 31 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.49 mg | 0.49 mg | 0.49 mg | 0.49 mg | 0.49 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.9 mg | 2.9 mg | 2.9 mg | 2.9 mg | 2.9 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.46 mg | 0.46 mg | 0.46 mg | 0.46 mg | 0.46 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.57 µg | 0.57 µg | 0.57 µg | 0.57 µg | 0.57 µg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg |
| Taurine | 200 mg | 200 mg | 400 mg | 200 mg | 200 mg |
| Glucuronolactone | 25 mg | 25 mg | 25 mg | 25 mg | 25 mg |
| Inositol | 20 mg | 20 mg | 20 mg | none / unstated | 20 mg |
Competitors
V's major competitors, in Australia, are Mother and Red Bull. Within New Zealand, the Mother brand of energy drink is virtually unknown.