Car Commercials, the good, the bad, and the annoying!

fezo

They are saying if you buy a Pontiac you must be blind? There could be some truth in that.

Toyota commercials are the most consistently annoying and that one on the empty highway with the guy spinning every which way has me screamin "it's a CAMRY for Pete's sake! Get a grip!"

andys120

The Cayenne ad where the guy in a taxi tells the driver to follow the Cayenne (as if it's anything to look at). The strain of the "pursuit reduces the cab to a wreck.

I don't get the point either.

carguy58

I like that ad because its fun. I know its a Camry but its still a good ad. It would have been better had they used the celica instead of the camry in that commercial wouldn't it?

fezo

Would ahve been better if they'd used almost anything other than a Camry..... The idea of trying to push excitement as a Camry virtue is just too much. Maybe Buick will be next...

andys120

This ad features Michael Andretti as a passenger playing "back-seat driver" and giving directions to the young man (son?) who's driving.
After about the third left turn the kid asks "an we make a right?
Michael's reply is "why would you wanna do that?"

Non-racing fans won't get it but I thought it was hilarious. The S2k looks great drifting tail out thru the turns, too.

I agree with Fezo about that annoying Camry ad which interestingly totally misses the target demo of the car, the S2000 ad hits the target square on the nose by contrast.

speterson1

Pontiac is big on advertising the pure thrill of driving with their Grand Am & Grand Prix lines. The blind woman ad shows that she's driving out in the barren, flat desert, with a companion. That's the whole point, she's not going to hit anything and can just enjoy the feel of driving a car, something she never gets to do. I'm not a huge Pontiac fan but I can see their point in that ad. Now if the ad were anywhere else where a blind driver would be dangerous, like Al Pacino's Ferrari test drive in "Scent of a Woman", that's a different story. But c'mon, you really can't say with a straight face that Pontiac is advocating blind people to take to the streets with this ad.

loncray

Nascar's got a new ad - one of their drivers (I don't recognize him) is a driver's ed instructor in HS - tells the kid driving to pull up next to "Mr Martin" - Mark Martin as another driver's ed instructor. They proceed to race - old Ford Tempo against what I think is a Chevy Cavalier - mass mayhem ensues - pretty funny!

pdalpsher

Is Jimmy Johnson...in his second season he's doing very well. Finished in the top 10 last year and currently in 7th place. He drives the number 48 car for Lowes
Nascar's ads last year for how bad have you got it were funny...the 'is it in you' series is just getting started
;-)

fezo

True story. I knew a guy who had lost his sight in a car accident of his own making. All things considered he had made the adjustment to that life and last I heard still held out hope that he'd see again before his life is through but was OK as he was.

Well, one day he just feels that he HAS to drive. His brother's car is parked in an open field nearby and he managaes to find the keys and take off, having a ball driving around the field. There was one tree in the field. You can guess the rest.....

i_luv_toyota

the Cayenne ad where the driver of an RV (which is moving, BTW) actually gets out of the driver's seat, goes to the back and runs back to the front again to see the Cayenne passing him?

Dumb, yes? Dangerous, yes? Should the marketing genius behind this be fired? YES!

swschrad

IMHO the ad agency should be forced to move to Iraq and market designer fashions there as penance for that irresponsible, dumb, offensive assault on our society.

yes, this IS my reduced-rage, think-of-your-blood-pressure opinion. I would have been thrown off the Hell website if I'd thought to post anything right after seeing that for the first time... user policies, you understand.

no, I didn't care for that ad, thanks.

i_luv_toyota

where that ad was posted before.

When I see a dumb car commercial that comes up during my TV viewing, I immediately think of this group and hence like to share my thoughts on it for all of your enjoyment! LOL!

i_luv_toyota

"Toyota ads must really be seen as stinkers by the car-buying public.
That's probably why they can't seem to sell any cars. What are they thinking?"

I'm sure you being a Toyota owner like myself can understand that Toyotas can (and do) sell massive amounts of cars without the help of these ads. These ads are on every commercial break and can great on one's nerves.

That's the point I was trying to make.

suvshopper4

I got your point, and I think you got mine.

Seems like Toyota's ad philosophy is, "Just keep our Camry name out there, and don't worry if the commercial is good or bad. The car's reputation will sell it."
Apparently the Camry's commercials do get noticed.

a_l_hubcaps

I think I've mentioned this before here...I really liked the "Everyday People" ads used in the 1997 Camry campaign. Sure they might have made the car seem boring, but at least it's an honest assessment of the Camry's strengths - reliability and everyday usefulness. Trying to make a Camry seem like fun on wheels just turns out corny, like that Camry SE ad.

-Andrew L

xccoachlou

bad Toyota advertising?

You, the Toyota car owning public.

BTW, a friend of mine says the VW commercial where the guy licks the door handle was filmed at the Crestmong VW dealership in Northern NJ. Any trivia buffs out there know if this is so?

swschrad

most taste like spearmint. don't take my word for it, try it yourself.

(hee, hee, hee... what other reason would there be???)

andys120

from the Cayenne commercial is "only an idiot would go out of their way to see one".

"Don't try this in your motorhome." Duh!

nvbanker

The "everyday people" ads Toyota ran worked adversely on me, reminding me of how not special they are. I guess that works on the mainstream, and I figured out a long time ago that I don't think like "everybody" else. Bottom line, If I were considering a Toyota, the ads reminded me they're not for me. The Lexus ads work well on me though.....

lemko

I'm sure everybody's seen the commercial with the red Toyota Camry on the empty Los Angeles freeway. I doubt very many Camry owners are likely to be enthusiasts driving the car in such an aggressive manner. I might as well hope for a day the Schuykill Expressway is empty so I can make such maneuvers with my girlfriend's 1999 Olds Cutlass sedan - a vehicle that is about as exciting as a Camry.

swschrad

no news helicopters stacked three high overhead showing the stunts live

nvbanker

excellent observation.....on both your parts....

leomaccord1

Uh huh. The same state that's shared with Chevy, Buick, Pontiac, Cad, GMC, Saturn, Suzuki, Opel, Holden and soon to be Subaru...

nvbanker

Subaru, Gracie? Haven't heard that rumor yet...

leomaccord1

95% Subaru WRX, GM having 20% controlling interest in FHI.

nvbanker

Oh, I see.

suvshopper4

Anybody else notice one VW Wolfsburg ad, previously discussed here, is now different?

When the guy comes out of the store with his shopping bag at night to find the two shady characters lurking around his car, the rough-looking, large guy with the Eastern Euro accent used to say, "It's a Wolfsburg, right?"

Now he just says "It's a Wolfsburg."

I saw the changed ad twice last nite (on Fox Phila). It is a bad editing job, too. You can kinda hear the last bit of "right", but the full word has been removed.

Wonder why they would do that - unless my local station is now just running a worn-out sloppy copy.

swschrad

there is a squeeze technology that gets an extra commercial in the same size break space being sold to TV stations that generally cuts all the pause times and speeds up the pace of the speech. there is no tell-tale a viewer can use to determine if the technique is in use. that's been out there for a couple years now, and sports stations have been targeted for the sale of the geegaw according to an article I read a year ago.

they could have also upcut that commercial to hack an extra second out... either at the station or in a re-release of the spot. like, for instance, the Greater East Norther VW Flash Dealers could have had the spot tickled a little for size, so they could get their tag, "See Your Blue-Tag VW Dealer Today" in the 30-second limit. in that case, there would be a couple other little issues that would probably be 6 frames lost here, 10 frames there... if you had both versions of the ad on a video editing bench, you could see it.

or it could have been hammered into a 20-second from a 30.

all kinds of ways to do it, and it's legal. ads used to change from a 30 second to a 27 second all the time when TV stations ran 'em on three rolls of filmed ads for a day's programming, because you'd occasionally hack a frame or two off one end or the other of the ad in re-editing the reels for Tuesday's spots. you could always tell if the front of an ad was upcut by the sound being hacked (sound leads picture in 16mm optical film by 28 frames, or 1-1/6 seconds in the US standard... 32 frames in magnetic, if you're scoring at home)... and the end of filmed ads always had 1 to 1-1/2 seconds of no further action and decaying sound track so if the back end got up-cut, it wasn't noticeable to the viewer.

bksward

Almost as bad as the Camry driver doing reverse donuts on the LA freeways, I saw this honda commercial this morning:

Meter Maid staring at a red accord coupe. Including low angle shots of her from behind. She writes something in her ticket book and puts it on the windshield. The ticket just says "Michelle 555-1234"

Yeah right...

nvbanker

Very cute idea for an ad, and I would like it if the car warranted it. But I agree, no amount of advertising can convince me he Accord is sexy, nor would I expect to see a meter molly expecting to get a good date from the owner thereof. Same would go for Camry's, Tauri, Impalas, or Crown Vics.

ab348

Y'know, I really like the Porsche Boxster, wish I could own one and all that, but the ad they're running for it right now has started to turn me off. You know the one: a couple of high-dollar yuppie types are rousted out of business meetings by bogus cellphone emergency calls so they can go frolic in their Boxster.

The first few times I saw this my only thought was, "OK, cute". But the more I see it the more I dislike the 2 people. The guy especially seems like a pretty slimy character (check the look on his face as he's driving near the end of the spot) but both of them reveal themselves to be fairly reprehensible by their behavior. Is this supposed to motivate one to want a Boxster? Would you really want to be that duplicitous? Is that how Porsche sees their customers, as shallow, lying, phony, money-grubbing sleazeballs?

i_luv_toyota

Saw the stupidest Honda ad. It's for a lease for the Accord coupe. The guy is asking the salesman "Are you sure this is legal?" just because there are no stupid ballons in the showroom.

Gimme a break.

And yes "SUVShopper4" that's what I was trying to say (post#1710). The car's name and rep will sell it better than any marketing company's failure of an ad will. But if it's done just to get noticed, they are doing a good job.

i_luv_toyota

I like those ads myself. I even liked the guy who was a TV set (may have been a regional (Northeast) thing).

But I hated it when they seperated "every" and "day."

Can't explain why, but I did.

nvbanker

The only people I know who have Boxtters are my attorney & my landlord, and they both fit the profile that ad portrays, so it must meet the goals of Porche. I don't like it either.

I also hate the Toyota Everyday ad. The message is lost on me I guess, but it doesn't cause the feeling within me that would be positive toward the car.

I like Mitubishi ads the best right now.

speterson1

To me Mitsubishi ads are more like music videos these days. They barely say anything about the car, they just show arty shots set to good music. Not that there's anything wrong with that, that's one of the oldest, most reliable methods of advertising there is. I'd rather know something about the vehicle and why it's better than other vehicles, but that's just me. I would love to know how many people own Eclipses just because of "seizure-woman" in the front seat...

kenjabi

Along the lines of post #1725:

Saw an ad with an average looking guy and hot woman sitting in a diner-style restaurant. They're chatting about their jobs, and the woman wonders if he likes his job, since it requires him to drive so much (can't remember the specific job). He says, "Yeah, I just got the new Accord coupe, so I don't mind driving at all." <shot of red Accord in parking lot> Woman looks man in eye and says, "I find that _very_ attractive." PUH-LEEZE!

I'm finding that, more and more, car commercials try to advertise the part of the vehicle that is _least_ true about it:

Camry - driving excitement
Accord - sexy chick magnet
Ford - Quality is Job 1

Say what you will about Saturn ads, but they at least know the facts about their cars and prospective buyers, and advertise that. They have a new one for the "four door" Ion coupe, talking about how easy it is to get your bed, chairs, desk, tables, tv stand, etc. into it. Video shows college kid stuffing a sleeping bag and a bunch of plastic cube crates into the car.

pjyoung

I didn't even remember the name of the car, but it's a bunch of gen-x'ers supposedly doing an audition and they are supposed to be in an SUV. Purely stupid ad.

suvshopper4

Yeah, the Mitsu ads seem like they're just trying to create picture-and-sound effects to positively influence the youngest car buyers/leasers.

Seems right, considering their low-priced vehicles.

swschrad

that sort of advertising gets the mute button from me the second and every subsequent time I see it.

I'd be a tree that drops a GREAT BIG HEAVY BRANCH on you, that's what kind of tree I'd be >8-D

nvbanker

C'mon, Saturn ads talk about the car? When? All I have seen is an Ion driving through Frat row during spring break, telling me it's for whatever's next. I don't even know if the car has wheels on the other side of it!

I think Saturn gets the big egg for their ads. They're strictly lifestyle ads - a lifestyle I don't need anymore.

You're right about MitsuMTV ads, however, I like the kids in them, and the music. Still don't like the cars.

kenjabi

"C'mon, Saturn ads talk about the car? When?"

I'm talking about overall, not just the ads released within the last year. You're right, the ones you're talking about, I don't think are very effective, which might explain the new ad I described above, which goes back to their "advertising roots" a little bit. Since its inception though, Saturn's ads have done a good job of conveying the strengths of the vehicle.

First, it was the "Different kind of company, different kind of car" ads, talking about the non-haggle dealership experience. Then they came up with the dent-resistant doors, and advertised that. Then they started making 3-door coupes, and advertised that feature.

Also, you prove my point when you say "They're strictly lifestyle ads - a lifestyle I don't need anymore." That's because they're not advertising the car for YOU. Those who already drive Lincoln SUVs are NOT their target audience. Heck, I'm in my mid-20's and drive a used Honda, and I'm not even who they're targeting. They make simple cars for simple people. They're targeting kids who are looking to buy their first new car and don't have much money. And unlike Mitsubishi, they can actually deliver that.

nvbanker

I agree with everything you just said except one point, which you would not know: I still also have a Honda Civic.....so even though I drive a Lincoln too, I have other cars. They might want to target me?????

bottgers

The Kia commercial where they compare the Optima to the Honda Accord, they make it a point to let you know it's less expensive than the Honda. Well, no duh? It's not a Honda, it should be less expensive. That would be like Yugo comparing one of their cars to a BMW and reminding you it's less expensive. Brilliant!

leomaccord1

The only thing they have on the Accord is the Warranty. That and the price. If you can read the fine print at the bottom of the screen, the $3100 is between the Accord V6 and the Optima V6. And I believe that's after the $2000 cash back incentive!

swschrad

they're really targeting the used car buyer. I don't see honda looking to hire bankruptcy lawyers in the near future....

nvbanker

Hmmmmmm, do I detect a bit of Honda brand arrogance here? I remember Detroit laughing at Honda in 1970, because their cars were cheap and inferior, and no threat to the Maverick........

Kia may eat their lunch someday...they shouldn't underestimate the Koreans.

bottgers

Good point, but right now Kias don't compare to Hondas.

nvbanker

I couldn't agree more..... I just remember how arrogant I was when I saw the first Honda roll up the street.....now I own one.....

swschrad

prove it is all I ask.

lemko

...just amused. I recall seeing my first Honda automobile in 1973 when my Uncle Howard bought a Civic CVCC. I was eight years-old and associated Honda more with motorcycles than cars. I couldn't get over how tiny this car was compared to even the domestic subcompact cars. The tiny wheels were really funny.