That ILX is very unpretty too, reminds me of a stretched Versa sedan - and few cars are as boring and awkward as that. Who is going to buy it when a TSX appears superior for virtually the same money?
X6 has a particular demographic. For lack of a better term, we'll call them [non-permissible content removed]. From corporate lawyers to investor visa types to trophy wives, not many good people choose them. The ads have to aim at that.
That first object it breaks looks like a blown glass apple, but it's actually BMW's soul, as they just confirmed the next M5 will not even offer a manual.
I watched a show about the Porsche factory recently and the one big contrast is how manual the AMG assembly process is in comparison. The carts are pushed around, even.
I've been to that facility before And even snapped a prototype ML out for testing - AMG gives tours to owners or probably anyone who knows where to ask. It's a very cool place. The engine building room isn't entirely "by hand" like the marketers want people to believe - it is modular, but all of the component assembly is by hand.
Nowadays I think the powertrains are made there and shipped to Bremen or something to be put in cars - back in the day gutted cars were sent to Affalterbach for final assembly, my W210 was made that way. AMG has made a number of promo videos over the years, here is a period one for the W210: http://youtu.be/c3TzxYzB6J4
I think the hand-built idea is romantic, but I was more impressed with Porsche's automation. The robots that move parts around were particularly impressive.
I understood 3 words: "just in time".
Cool to see the wheel lug nuts torqued by hand. That's the only way for me, in fact I re-torque them if anyone else touches mine.
The handbuilt thing is a good mystique builder. When I was there I asked/begged for one of the nameplates placed on top of the engine, which was met with a typical humorless German rejection.
Seeing the cars built there makes it easy to believe that AMG seem to be less troublesome than normal counterparts - overbuilt mechanicals, and maybe more assembly care.
Cool to see the wheel lug nuts torqued by hand. That's the only way for me, in fact I re-torque them if anyone else touches mine.
Had one of our vehicles in to the dealer for an oil change during last winter. Dealer does "free" inspection of things such as brake pad thickness, tire tread depth, etc. Marks the data on a form attached to the receipt.
Had snow tires (on dedicated wheels) on the car during oil change. I am the one who puts on, takes off snow tires, puts on summer tires. Have used torque wrenches for many years to tighten lugs to spec. So, in early March, found that lug nuts on snow-tired wheels on one side of car way, way over-torqued. Had to use an 18 inch bar with socket AND an extension water pipe to break.
Went to dealer. Have known the Service Manager for many years. Talked to him. First asked how they check brake pads. He said they look at wheels on one side. Ah hah. Told him what I found. He apologized and said they ONLY use torque wrenches, do by hand. Showed me torque wrenches at various mechanic work stations.
Of course, too-tight lugs will cause warped rotors, pulsating, perhaps customer going back to dealer and THEN service people saying some kind of brake job is needed.
I suspect quality is pretty much uniform, and there is not a huge amount of room for error in the modular assembly. Germany is a first world country (unlike much of this one) with apprenticeship programs and vocational training - many of the workers there were actually fairly young, starting off in a specialized facility from the beginning, trained right out of school, with a job progression supported by their employers even though the costs are high. Funny how that can work under the right leadership. No doubt the bar is higher to get in there, but maybe they don't want those set in ways learned in a normal factory - as it isn't one.
Sad really. And, probably, the makers and sponsors of this ad are patting themselves on the back exclaiming the creativity of this ad. NOT. Just another of zillions of variations on a theme that has been done by them and others for many, many years.
Commercial starts with a beach scene, birds flying around, then from stage right comes a sliding sideways Mercedes C250 (a W something?) kicking up sand and water. Little boys, teen age boys probably rate this commercial highly.
Sales tell the story. C-class continues to move off the lots at a healthy pace. Something is working, or at least not offending. These cars aren't selling to 12 year olds, in fact, I see plenty of older people in them.
Speaking of stupid, the recent Acura TL "aggression in its most elegant form" spot was moronic, as a new TL is neither aggressive nor elegant.
Loving the new Volt commercial with the airhead who says she hasn't bought gas in so long that she doesn't remember how to put gas in her car. That's the smart image you want. :shades:
It's live. Please visit this thread for the link and to talk about it (since it couldn't possibly be bad or annoying and thus off-topic in here :shades: ):
Range Rover has a good commercial made in Times Square New York. Very creative. Artful. Desirable. Final scene shows a red and a white Range Rover driving "slowly" down the street.
Range Rover, Mustang and other vehicle manufacturers show that appealing commercials can be made without sliding sideways, kicking up sand on a beach or in a desert, etc. and other idiotic moves.
Funny. Just as I was typing this, a commercial for a Mercedes C250 was on the TV screen showing it sliding sideways at a beach somewhere.
Comments
That ILX is very unpretty too, reminds me of a stretched Versa sedan - and few cars are as boring and awkward as that. Who is going to buy it when a TSX appears superior for virtually the same money?
Agreed. In any case, the OP is just trolling- as usual...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgoCetJqiTE
Cheesy music...and look how he's dressed. Inseam is about half a foot too short. Sort of like the vehicle, i.e. hatchback on stilts.
Or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3sqDRq-Mek&feature=related
I think they stick their heads out the window because there's no head room inside.
CNET's Cooley correctly calls it "More a fashion than automotive purchase" with "stingy...NO visibility".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BthK122ryNo&feature=related
The vehicle doesn't make much sense (you could get an M3 coupe and an X5 for that sort of money), so no surprise the commercials don't either.
Cheesy but I bet it's effective with the target demographic.
The "Holiday Road" Toyota ad makes me laugh, the Sienna is the 21st century Family Truckster, probably even available in metallic pea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRRb7wPnzm8&feature=player_embedded
At what point are you no longer driving, and it's 100% autonomous?
Still, I want to see the A-class here, priced right, they will sell without issue.
Maybe the non-existent base model will be $27k.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDuxWGHA-Z4&feature=player_embedded
Love the high speed cam work.
That first object it breaks looks like a blown glass apple, but it's actually BMW's soul, as they just confirmed the next M5 will not even offer a manual.
Americans will prefer the GLK anyway. I bet that does better in other markets. Here volumes will be small unless the pricing is lower than expected.
GLK gets expensive pretty fast, shooting past 40K with any normal options. They do seem to be selling though, common sight here.
The A will sell, just as a cheaper way into the brand for those who must have a new car.
The original Kompressor engine was really rough. The later ones were better.
It really needed 5 doors to sell in volume. 3 doors don't have the visual appeal that a coupe does (in the US).
Reminds me of the crash test one that breaks through the wall. Good sense of humor to these.
I'm sure the Kardashians will trade up.
I watched a show about the Porsche factory recently and the one big contrast is how manual the AMG assembly process is in comparison. The carts are pushed around, even.
Nowadays I think the powertrains are made there and shipped to Bremen or something to be put in cars - back in the day gutted cars were sent to Affalterbach for final assembly, my W210 was made that way. AMG has made a number of promo videos over the years, here is a period one for the W210: http://youtu.be/c3TzxYzB6J4
I think the hand-built idea is romantic, but I was more impressed with Porsche's automation. The robots that move parts around were particularly impressive.
I understood 3 words: "just in time".
Cool to see the wheel lug nuts torqued by hand. That's the only way for me, in fact I re-torque them if anyone else touches mine.
Seeing the cars built there makes it easy to believe that AMG seem to be less troublesome than normal counterparts - overbuilt mechanicals, and maybe more assembly care.
Nein!
I wonder if there was any variation, i.e. one builder's engine typically better than some other?
I'm sure AMG hand picked the best from Mercedes' existing factories, though.
Had one of our vehicles in to the dealer for an oil change during last winter. Dealer does "free" inspection of things such as brake pad thickness, tire tread depth, etc. Marks the data on a form attached to the receipt.
Had snow tires (on dedicated wheels) on the car during oil change. I am the one who puts on, takes off snow tires, puts on summer tires. Have used torque wrenches for many years to tighten lugs to spec. So, in early March, found that lug nuts on snow-tired wheels on one side of car way, way over-torqued. Had to use an 18 inch bar with socket AND an extension water pipe to break.
Went to dealer. Have known the Service Manager for many years. Talked to him. First asked how they check brake pads. He said they look at wheels on one side. Ah hah. Told him what I found. He apologized and said they ONLY use torque wrenches, do by hand. Showed me torque wrenches at various mechanic work stations.
Of course, too-tight lugs will cause warped rotors, pulsating, perhaps customer going back to dealer and THEN service people saying some kind of brake job is needed.
Sad really. And, probably, the makers and sponsors of this ad are patting themselves on the back exclaiming the creativity of this ad. NOT. Just another of zillions of variations on a theme that has been done by them and others for many, many years.
I'm kidding, of course.
(Don't all wives say that?).
Sales tell the story. C-class continues to move off the lots at a healthy pace. Something is working, or at least not offending. These cars aren't selling to 12 year olds, in fact, I see plenty of older people in them.
Speaking of stupid, the recent Acura TL "aggression in its most elegant form" spot was moronic, as a new TL is neither aggressive nor elegant.
Must be something in the air of advertising agencies. Acura agency copies silly commercial styles of some European brands.
It certainly appears that both Chevrolet and Ford are intent on portraying their customers as amiable idiots- if not total imbeciles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Edmunds "Ask the Car People" Commercial
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The Lexus CT ad "Miles": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMnOd5yF1U
The Acura ILX ad "Airport": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAx7EEL-gv4
Both are winners for the music chosen.
I like that Dodge Dart ad noted in a previous post as well. Clever.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Range Rover, Mustang and other vehicle manufacturers show that appealing commercials can be made without sliding sideways, kicking up sand on a beach or in a desert, etc. and other idiotic moves.
Funny. Just as I was typing this, a commercial for a Mercedes C250 was on the TV screen showing it sliding sideways at a beach somewhere.
goodyear tires
But, let's get real.... it's a professional driver in a 3-series... He could have pulled that off on Pep Boys specials....
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The outcome of the whole comparo? Styling... :sick:
Meanwhile, Subaru's Indiana plant is pumping out Camrys for Toyota to help keep up with demand. What's that about biting the hand that feeds you?