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

ateixeira

Shoot, I'd rent one...

In fact this marketing/supply problem may bring down prices and make an interesting car even more interesting.

Abarth will come soon, let's see if it also has trouble selling.

robr2

Those streets are in the background...

So she's Jenny from the Block, but she can't visit the block any more because, why, she doesn't feel safe there any more? No ghetto pass?

IMO, she didn't need to be there to film driving sequences. Besides, she wouldn't really be the one driving the car in the commercial.

Fiat has defended her by saying "you don't have to be there to be inspired. Many of us look at our upbringing for inspiration." The words she says wouldn't have worked in LA.

Any how, back to Fiat's ad campaign, I think it was dumb to pitch a Latin angle instead of an Italian one. They reference where the car is built (Mexico) instead of taking advantage of its european heritage. Suicidal.

Well JLo is Puerto Rican not Mexican - I doubt you'd find many Mexicans in the Bronx. In fact Puerto Ricans really don't want to associate with Mexicans.

They aren't pitching a latin angle, they are pitching a young, carefree, successful vibe.

I don't think a Italian angle would work. Today what is the current image of Italians? Unfortunately it Tony Soprano and the cast of Jersey Shore - both not the best light for Italian heritage.

fintail

I'll believe the Abarth when I see it. I wonder how it will be dumbed down for NA.

500 is more interesting than a Yaris, but from the rental my friend had, it still lacks a little something performance wise. But make it cheap enough, and many sins can be forgiven.

ateixeira

I dunno, that type of marketing works for Vespa and Ducati. If I were running Fiat I'd probably even sneak in a few Vespas in my advertising.

ateixeira

Base models have approximately zero horsepower. I'm rounding, a little.

The Abarth will have 160hp, and it's light, so they should be a hoot.

ateixeira

By Peter De Lorenzo, who basically echoes everything I've been saying:

http://www.autoextremist.com/

signing JLo for reasons unbeknownst to anyone still operating with at least a modicum of cogent thought

The first JLo spot was a warmed-over cut of a long-form video she did, which was mystifying in its intent, other than it had her driving a Fiat 500 and dancing around it at the end. High concept it was not.

The second attempt had JLo driving around in her old neighborhood stomping grounds in a Fiat 500, pretending to get in touch with her inner Real Girl, which was about as believable as JLo flying coach to get in touch with her fans. As if.

And finally, the lowest of lows was JLo prancing around on stage at the American Music Awards this past Sunday evening with a Fiat 500 as part of the backdrop in the most blatant bit of product placement in television history. It was offensive and incomprehensible, and it predictably drew a loud chorus of post-show outrage from stars and the media alike.

The sad thing is I actually *LIKE* the Fiat 500, and will be test driving an Abarth when they arrive.

ateixeira

Now Mercedes is running a couple of local ads.

In the first an S-class runs through a slalom not around cones, but Christmas trees. But then you see an ML coming off the assembly line with a bow on it, just like the Lexus RX one. :sick:

In a second, Santa walks in to what looks like a museum of classic Benzes. But then he hops in an SLS roadster (red, like Rudolph) and follows a bunch of silver Benzes that are lined up like reindeer. They didn't get the memo about Rudolph being up in front.

Both set up well, but then turn out to be teases.

robr2

In a second, Santa walks in to what looks like a museum of classic Benzes. But then he hops in an SLS roadster (red, like Rudolph) and follows a bunch of silver Benzes that are lined up like reindeer. They didn't get the memo about Rudolph being up in front.

That's been around a couple of years. BTW, the red SLS is the sleigh. As for Rudolph, we tradionalists don't count him...

I saw one for the Buick Lacrosse e-assist. Young man gives his girl what looks to be a Smart with a big bow on it. Then the Lacrosse drives by and she lovingly looks at it. Moral is - you don't need to buy small to get good fuel economy.

roadburner

I saw one for the Buick Lacrosse e-assist. Young man gives his girl what looks to be a Smart with a big bow on it. Then the Lacrosse drives by and she lovingly looks at it. Moral is - you don't need to buy small to get good fuel economy.

Driving either one would be the automotive equivalent of Purgatory for me...

fintail

I'll take an ML in a factory with a bow over one being presented to an expensive wife by some dope (always with a 5 o'clock shadow, holding onto that last shred of masculinity after being forced to buy an RX to keep her ) in front of a likely over-leveraged house of a level far above reality for the average American or the average Lexus driver.

Honda sure is overdoing the Puddy commercials, and hopefully the Acura chef one is now gone.

robr2

I'll take an ML in a factory with a bow over one being presented to an expensive wife by some dope (always with a 5 o'clock shadow, holding onto that last shred of masculinity after being forced to buy an RX to keep her ) in front of a likely over-leveraged house of a level far above reality for the average American or the average Lexus driver.

Oh I'm sure there are plenty of ML's being presented under the same circumstances you feel the RX is. Heck, I know of at least 2 in my neighborhood.

The one RX owner I know could easily buy his family new cars every year and live in a much bigger house. But as a down to earth individual, he doesn't. Self earned and self concious he is.

ab348

I'll take an ML in a factory with a bow over one being presented to an expensive wife by some dope (always with a 5 o'clock shadow, holding onto that last shred of masculinity after being forced to buy an RX to keep her ) in front of a likely over-leveraged house of a level far above reality for the average American or the average Lexus driver.


LOL - My experience with many (not all) Lexus drivers is exactly that. Well done.

fintail

Devils advocate much? Or just a contrarian? :P

Every rule has exceptions, but they are still rules.

robr2

Nope - just trying to get you past your Germanic bias.

fintail

Don't get me started about X5 drivers

tmart

AMEN! Fintail just doesn't like Lexus.

explorerx4

If those RX owners knew or could admit they are driving a modified Camry, they would be cut some slack. :P

lemko

The man only has a five o'clock shadow because he is now too poor to afford razor blades after buying his spoiled trophy wife a new RX every Xmas! I wonder what wifey got him for Xmas? Probably a cracked Chia Pet from the dollar store.

tmart

Believe the ES is the modified Camry, not the RX which is the SUV.

ateixeira

Ironic how you don't include RX sales in the Camry tally when you toot the F "series" is the best selling vehicle.

The difference between an RX driver and an ML driver?

They're the same, except the Lexus buyer got tired of 4 figure repair bills on her last Benz gift. :P

ateixeira

No Rudolph?! :surprise:

fintail

The previous RX anyway was based on a Camry platform. I don't know about the new one, don't really care, as it is pretty much the antithesis of driving or even being alive. I'd rather have a Camry or an ES.

And yes, ML drivers and RX drivers are similar. I know a guy with a spoiled wife who just had a new ML bought for her - but as he still has some soul left, he did all the choosing - so she got a leftover 2011 in a sweetheart lease, and it's a diesel.

stickguy

the ads that I have noticed recently (new this year) have been biased toward the wife surprising the husband (well, woman and man!). Also have been city folk (apartment buildings) and young.

Guess Lexus is going for a new demo? As in, people that would not otherwise be buying them?

xrunner2

the ads that I have noticed recently (new this year) have been biased toward the wife surprising the husband (well, woman and man!). Also have been city folk (apartment buildings) and young.

Those ad people are real smart, right? Young people are gushing with money, have jobs, can afford a new car on payments maybe. Why bother with middle age and older demos. They don't have the money to buy on payments or write a check for a new car.

fintail

I've noticed the city scenes too. I don't see many RX in my local highrise garages, but the IS is a catch all for a young affluent urban demographic, especially fresh off the boat satellite children types who seem to think an IS250 is aggressive and cool. Oops, I stereotyped again :shades:

I think I saw a suburban setting ad with an ES last night, reminds me of the one a couple years ago where Big Wheel kid, now in his late 30s maybe, gets an ES. Really? If they had made it an IS-F or something, sure, but if one car in this world is not a racy machine...

roadburner

I think I saw a suburban setting ad with an ES last night, reminds me of the one a couple years ago where Big Wheel kid, now in his late 30s maybe, gets an ES. Really?

I remember an ad for the last generation Focus where a girls says she bought it because it was "sleek and sporty".
Compared to what? A Bronco II maybe?

fintail

Those faux fender vents add at least 20% more hp and torque, don't you know

roadburner

I'm waiting for the first parody of the "Volt in the Drive-Thru" series of ads:

"Ask him if it's burst into flame yet."

fintail

I think the Volt stuff might be hype over reality. If someone stays in their car weeks after a crash, they might have a fire? Meh

On the commercial front - new Audi ad bugs me. 30-something guy (with 5 oclock shadow to imply being rough and adventurous, while probably being a whipped drone on a leash) drives his new A6 home to his parents mansionette, where they promptly take off with the car. It's a lease ad (uh-oh, better not say anything about Audi leasers :P ) for something like $739 on a new A6. That seems like an amazingly high amount of money for something so relatively normal.

lemko

The fact that he leased the A6 already shows he's an overextended wannabe.

The fact that he grew up in a tacky mansionette shows he is probably a shallow man with little character raised by similar parents.

The fact that he drove it to his parents' house shows that he is insecure and still feels the need for his Mommy and Daddy's attention.

The fact his parents took the car from him shows they are still in control despite the man's 30+ age.

For $739 a month, (provided I'm a reckless and self-destructive frontin' fool to lease cars at extravagant terms) I'd expect at least an A8.

fintail

The mansionette wasn't bad - it was old rather than a tacky mcmansion, but as some here hate unrealistic ads, it was hardly representative of housing for anyone, including Audi drivers - gives me the impression of a bit of a silver spoon. I assumed the guy was driving home for Christmas, so that's fine, but the rest, especially the price, had me shaking my head. And in my area where tax will be 9%+, that payment would be more like $800. I'd want something more than a boring 6cyl A6 for that money. For that money over say 3 years, I could have a lot more fun than that.

xrunner2

new Audi ad bugs me. 30-something guy (with 5 oclock shadow to imply being rough and adventurous, while probably being a whipped drone on a leash) drives his new A6 home to his parents mansionette, where they promptly take off with the car.

That Audi ad is very creative, classy. Nice house, proper setting. Also, did the 30 guy maybe drive a long way and was not able to shave?

The 30 guy had to lease or take on payments. But, the parents could easily write a check for the car if they choose to later.

tmart

Could also be a PSA to NEVER leave your key in the car!!

xrunner2

The "fact" that he chose an Audi over say an American brand shows he is smart and will be successful in life. Just as his parents appear to be.

xrunner2

Maybe with the new crop of more sensible ads such a Audi, Rover, Buick on city streets, the ad managers have gotten beyond their childish ways of showing cars driving/sliding around in the sand and dust.

fintail

Probably inherited some dough, just like his parents...but will chalk it up all to hard work and personal success, of course.

Some here are detached from the under-60 set...it's a trend now to wear constant stubble etc to appear manly and tough, even if you're a henpecked cube dweller spending 120% of salary but still cheaper to keep her...

ateixeira

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SY5nLIze9M

Doesn't seem to be getting many hits on YouTube, a little too style-over-substance perhaps?

lemko

Uh, when I was younger than that guy, I had already PURCHASED, not LEASED, two new American-made Cadillac automobiles. I would hardly call myself a failure. If both me and the guy in the commercial were smart, we would've bought Buicks - the sensible choice.

lemko

If I'm wearing stubble, it's because I was too lazy to shave and/or am having skin problems. I doesn't matter which blades I buy. An electric razor really messes me up. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned straight razors that never wear out?

robr2

Probably inherited some dough, just like his parents...but will chalk it up all to hard work and personal success, of course.

Or perhaps his parents worked hard to pay for his education which he used to start his own successful business and then gave the parents the nice house to show his gratitude.

He leases the Audi because it makes more financial sense than buying in his situation. His clients all earn more and drive better cars than he but expect their lawyer/financial planner/et al to at least show some level of success. Would they trust a financial planner that drives a 10 year old Mercedes?

Then again, I'm an optimist and try to see the good in the world instead of trying to find the black lining in every silver cloud.

fintail

You can be an optimist, I will live in the real world. If you don't like my realism, you are free to ignore my posts, as your recourse ends there. Deal? :P

The only way leasing that thing could make sense would be if he was able to write it off, in our climate that favors the top few above all else. I don't know if I would trust a financial planner who had to lease a boring car like that, no. At least not at that lease rate, which is ridiculous.

On the commercial front, I saw both of the Infiniti vs BMW spots last night. I think these are actually kind of cute, not pretentious, but what's with the obviously dubbed in engine noise? I know the Nissan V6s can have a dopey drone, but they had that G apparently going about 30, but it sounded like it was at about 4000rpm. It's not a race car, and from my experience the demographic who buys the sedans are pretty sedate.

fintail

I work in the corporate wasteland, and the stubble look is very much "in" now, especially among those with limited freedom, so to speak. Or maybe am being pessimistic, and that guy living at 120% of his means (or being dependent on a monthly trust payment), nailed down in an unreclaimable agreement, and driving certain things really is cool :shades:

robr2

Well I'm an optimist. But I'm also a realist and have an open enough mind to consider that not every situation is exactly the same. Not every Lexus owner is spoiled wife, not every Audi owner is an over-extended kid and not every Benz owner is a pompous know it all.

fintail

Not every, but likely a lot of them are, possibly even a majority. But I know some spoiled wives drive Audis, over-extended kids drive MB, and pompous know it all's drive Lexus :shades:

lemko

I know one over-extended kid who drives a red C-300 she leases for the extravagant rate of $535 a month! She still lives at home at 29 and brags to those within earshot about her $2,500 handbag and that "nothing but the best" is good enough for her. She's hoping to land a young, attractive, wealthy man when she's bespectacled, overweight, and has bad skin. My wife and I call her "Pretentious Chick." Still, I don't think ALL M-B drivers are like this nor are all Audi owners like the schlemiel in the commercial.

ateixeira

Boy, you sound like the life of the party.... :P

andre1969

First time I saw that Audi A6 commercial with the parents ganking the car from the kid, I got some serious deja vu. I KNOW I've seen that house before! Looks an awful lot like a house that was used in "V: The Final Battle", where Donovan's mother lived...



If it is indeed the same house, the special effects dept did one hell of a snow job for that ad!

Here's the commercial, for comparison...

fintail

Haha, you're awesome, what an eye. The porte-cochere and the lattice at lower right are 100% matches. That place is a lot bigger in the old pic too, it's a real mansion. Looks like a Lawn Guyland Gatsby era place rather than something of successful middle class America.

I also notice in the commercial there's a snow covered W210 E-class out front in the opening split second - funny thing for Audi to use as a subtle dig... as many of those were optioned with AWD too.

fintail

There are quite a few like that in my general area...I like most the late 20-somethings waiting for that knight in shining Ferrari who have a degree (of sorts) and a job (of sorts) but still collect from the parental dole - while telling others how it isn't hard to make it on their salary. I'll wager the person driving a pristine 10 year old model is better off than someone leasing a base new one.

andre1969

And here's more info on the house than most people would care to know.

I don't believe for a second that thing only has two bathrooms! Might be time to call the tax assessor's office and get them to research some permit records! :P