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

fintail

Going mass market in the name of profits will always upset the old timers. Heck, I still don't exactly smile at the Mercedes ML, and the Porsche Cayenne still seems ridiculous to me.

Subaru really has bloated up in the past few years, as many others I guess. The brand has always had a following in my area, due to winter sports and wet traction.

ateixeira

Well, they gotta pay the bills, I suppose.

i_luv_toyota

Ever since my last post, it seems the floodgates have opened up as far as "winter sales event" ads are concerned. I have seen all of the ones mentioned above, except for the Happy Honda Days (although it will probably see it millions of times over the next few weeks now that I've mentioned it).

Also, while watching a football game this past Sunday, the "Hyundai Holidays" ads (with the annoying "hip" Christmas background music) seemed to eclipse the amount of times Toyota's "Saved By Zero" atrocity appeared of a couples years back around this time of year. I never even thought it was possible!

As for Toyotathon ads, they are just plain stupid. Nothing further needs to be said.

explorerx4

i am a ford guy.
the commercial is a 2 parter as running now.
first half a young lady explaining that she is a college student and money is always an issue, as she stands next to her 30k+ escape hybrid.
2 outcomes, people like me that say what the ???? and the others it gets into the showroom only to leave upset when they see how much one costs.
second half is a 'hockey player' that sheepishly likes the remote open hatch available on an edge.
he is so embarrassed about making the commercial, he only shows half his face. :sick:

kyfdx

Really can't stand the Howie Long Chevy commercials.. He reminds me of the bullies from high school..

The one that really gets me is the one where he says there is one Honda that Chevy can't compete with.... and then points out a Honda lawn mower. I'm not sure how Chevy thinks that will win over any current Honda customers... Honda mowers have an enormously positive reputation. If they can make cars that are as reliable and long-lasting as their mowers (they can't), then why take a chance on a Chevy?

roadburner

We used to have a very niche-like, tight community, but Subaru expanded a lot when the WRX came out and now they've gone pretty mainstream with the bigger Forester and Outback.

The same thing happened to BMW. The BMW community used to be full of hard-core gearheads. Now most Bimmer owners think that Trailing Throttle Oversteer is a band that used to open for Kansas...

roadburner

Really can't stand the Howie Long Chevy commercials. He reminds me of the bullies from high school...

None of the GM ads are very good. Their underlying message seems to be:
"Give us a try; our cars don't suck nearly as bad as they used to."

michaellno

Now most Bimmer owners think that Trailing Throttle Oversteer is a band that used to open for Kansas...

I like that line. You're probably right in that fewer than 10% of BMW owners truly understand what the brand is about.

None of the GM ads are very good. Their underlying message seems to be:
"Give us a try; our cars don't suck nearly as bad as they used to."

An open question to all to read / post on this thread ... if you were the marketing czar for GM, what kind of ads would you run?

Think about this for each brand ... Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Would you compare yourself to the competition, as Chevrolet is currently doing?

I'm curious .. so much of this thread is about advertising that sucks ... what you replace it with?

roadburner

I'm curious .. so much of this thread is about advertising that sucks ... what you replace it with?

I really don't know. You're really behind the 8-ball when you practically have to beg car shoppers to seriously consider your brand(s). Cadillac's ads aren't bad, but they aren't very imaginative. The rest of the GM ads are a jumbled mess because-unlike Cadillac- none of the other divisions have any idea what they are supposed to be.

fintail

Saw my first Lexus holiday themed ad today...same old same old.

euphonium

Good advertising sells the sizzle, not the steak. Good TV advertising does NOT place two competing products back to back. It helps to speak cleanly and clearly instead of "dey" & "dem". Correct grammar would be helpful as well. "Me & her",& "She don't" want dat. :sick:

tallman1

Really can't stand the Howie Long Chevy commercials.

I agree. For the most part, I've always liked Howie Long but those commercials are a pain. Their comparisons leave a lot to be desired. The one that really got me was showing the middle seat (for kids) outside alone without the rest of the seat and then showing the whole Chevy back seat. Sad.

fintail

There's a local ad made by local GM dealers, touting the improvements of new models - the "best buy" recommendations and such. The new Lacrosse is featured, and one dealer (and all of these guys look like car salesmen to me) says it looks like a "60 or 70 thousand dollar car". Really?

roadburner

The new Lacrosse is featured, and one dealer (and all of these guys look like car salesmen to me) says it looks like a "60 or 70 thousand dollar car". Really?

What's sad is that the guy probably believes what he's saying...

loncray

I saw something interesting this weekend watching the pre-game show on Fox - Howie Long sitting directly in front of a 'Built Ford Tough' sign with F150 signs on either side discussing the upcoming football games. Thought that was pretty ironic - I wonder if the cameras were set that way intentionally?

ateixeira

Show more of the car, I say, especially the beige/mocha two-tone interior. It's OK to brag about the highway MPG, but don't mention competitors.

The problem with showing the Accord and Camry is that you're recognizing them as the benchmarks by default.

scscars

If I were freezing to death, Howie Long couldn't sell me a roaring fire. Does Chevy really need to push its cars using a football player whose glory days were back in the early 90's? Howie should just stick to doing pre-games on Fox.

As for the Dodge Ram ad, "My name is Ram. My tank is full." It just sounds like it wants to taunt the other trucks. Well, I guess it beats "The Mayor of Truckville" ads from a few years ago.

euphonium

Howie Long is a clean cut, straight, slender gentleman that most men should emulate, but can't because of their own inadequacies.

fintail

So we should all make obnoxious claims in questionably contrived commercials?

He was a fine athlete, but that alone is no reason to emulate someone. Everyone has some skeletons in the closet. These commercials will be some of his :shades:

Usually those who whine about the inadequacies of others are hiding their own :P

fintail

Lately the Lexus Christmas-themed spot for the ES lease has been airing. The one claiming how the car will be a part of your life and memories - it shows a kid learning how to drive, family events, etc. For a 3 year lease?

euphonium

There are some marriages/families that don't last 3 years. Remember?

fintail

Ha, good point! I should have looked to see if it featured different husbands/wives :shades:

explorerx4

nice catch!

explorerx4

i saw a lacrosse the other day in a driveway around the corner.
at first, i thought it was as LS460. so from a distance, i think they are right.

fintail

Lacrosse is excellent looking for a Buick, and I wish it well...but an LS? I could see a GS maybe, but if you pay 70 grand for one of those, you have other problems :shades:

ateixeira

Saw that ad finally, pretty funny. I think the target market will get it, too.

roadburner

Back in late '80s/early '90s BMW ran a clever ad that showed a young couple shopping at various dealers- at each one the sales guy would tell them some variation of "It's just like a BMW."

xrunner2

Waiting for best Lexus ad from last year where young woman getting a new Lexus for Christmas has a flashback of her as a child getting a real pony at Christmas. That was classy.

fintail

I thought it was kind of lame when the ads featured a 30-something guy thinking of his big wheel bike, and then IIRC he received an ES. Really? A big wheel = fun adventurous times, an ES (or almost any Lexus) is anything but.

The type of spoiled girls who got ponies are often the ones who drive RX today, between the gallery mall and their cosmetic fitness clinics.

roadburner

I thought it was kind of lame when the ads featured a 30-something guy thinking of his big wheel bike, and then IIRC he received an ES. Really? A big wheel = fun adventurous times, an ES (or almost any Lexus) is anything but.

I agree, but if the ad was accurate it would have to show a kid opening a box of underwear...

jipster

Elvis like voice: "As king, I would like to welcome our newest member...Jacko"

Michael Jackson voice: "I would like to thank all the nice members of heaven, for the quick and thoughtful delivery.... of my new SOUL" (triumphets playing loudly)

(Talk of the new Kia Soul being great and all.)

Elvis: "oh by the way, who said anything about being in heaven."

Michael : "oh dear"

Funny, but a bit inappropriate IMO.

stever

That's a real commercial?

Oh, in case you missed the Chevy Volt Dancers, well ... consider yourself lucky.

tallman1

Oh, in case you missed the Chevy Volt Dancers, well ... consider yourself lucky.

I have GOT to stop clicking on your links. :sick:

roadburner

I heard that one a couple of times and then it disappeared for a couple of weeks; my wife and son thought I was making it up. I thought it had been pulled due to complaints, but it's obviously back. As KIA ads go, it's actually one of the least objectionable...

ateixeira

Saw it already, and it was SOOOOO bad. :sick:

I didn't expect much from a Kia ad, but that was pretty bad also.

lemko

There was a funny President's Day radio commercial for a local Hyundai dealer last year using different president's voices: Nixon, JFK, George Bush, Sr., etc. The funniest part was the Bill Clinton voice saying, "So come on down to XYZ Hyundai and check out the hot interns!...uh...excuse me...I mean great deals...Sorry."

ateixeira

Forget about whether it's funny or offensive or not, why would that get people in the mood to buy cars? :confuse:

roadburner

Forget about whether it's funny or offensive or not, why would that get people in the mood to buy cars?

Good point; all of the KIA ads follow a similar template, a sometimes funny gag followed by the usual screamer ad.

deltheking

That sounds sexist and would potentially turn off all the female buyers IMO.And you can bet that wives would not be too thrilled to send their hubbys to shop for cars at that dealership.!! :shades:

Kirstie_H

A reporter is looking to speak to consumers who recently purchased (within the past month) or are going to purchasing a luxury car for the holidays. Please send your daytime phone number and the car you purchased to ctalati@edmunds.com by Friday, December 18, 2009.

Thanks,
Chintan
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com

kyfdx

...but, related..

Anyone seen the animated Michelin commercial about the "bad stretch of road"...

Original and entertaining...

lemko

Is that the one with the claymation animals?

kyfdx

Are they claymation? Didn't realize that.. I'll have to look more closely... They do resemble claymation, though... in retrospect..

anythngbutgm

Yup, seen it a couple of times. Still trying to figure out what they modeled the car after. I think it looks sort Pontiac G8-ish but squished

scscars

If its the boxy looking car that's been in the Michelin claymation commercials that I've seen recently, the car looks like its been modeled after a Renault Clio.

xrunner2

OK. Lexus again takes the prize in 2009 for the classiest tv commercials. Commercials are work of art with settings, photography, music/melody and subtle message. None of the others even come close. Most commercials show owners and their new Lexus in proper homes, no apartments or condo trash. There is still possibility if economy improves in 2010 to upscale Christmas commercials for aspirational Lexus, or Mercedes owners, showing top-top level lux cars in homes on sprawling 5-acre estates.

fintail

Yes, classy = an existence based on consumerism, materialism, and debt. Oh, and cars that are usually painfully dull to drive and not much better look at.

Face brick mcmansions on questionably developed pastureland - that's where class lives! Should my mcmansion be a questionably styled "Georgian" colonial, a pretentious faux Tuscan villa, or a laughable copy of a craftsman?

:P :sick:

I haven't seen any good ads lately...although the big local Hyundai dealer has a couple that I like, advertising 3K back on Sonatas as some kind of fund to buy Christmas presents. That's a brilliant idea :shades:

xrunner2

Face brick mcmansions on questionably developed pastureland - that's where class lives!

Maybe that is true on the left coast. Here in N and NE Illinois, there are "real" high end homes on great properties such as in Barrington Hills, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Bannockburn, etc. Good car commercials for upper end could easily be made here. But then again, upper end people don't need commercials to motivate them to buy their Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, etc. They just do it regularly no matter the economy.

fintail

I was being sarcastic :P

I don't know if the average "upper end" consumer drives a leased ES or IS as featured in those rather transparent ads. There's 2 current-gen IS in the garage of my apartment building though, and a current-gen LS too :shades:

tmart

I agree with you the Lexus ads are classy. Glad to see the Fintail admitted to being sarcastic, but for some unknown reason, a lot of folks here abhor the Lexus commercials, I truly don't know why, unless they're jealous of Lexus owners. I don't live in a McMansion and like my wife's ES300. I think it looks good, and drives good and has been in the dealership for only scheduled maintenance, which is more than I can say about my C70. Lets just be honest...Lexus makes a great car.