Coattails: Audi gets unintentional boost in Chevy spread
Call it a value-add of sorts. Perhaps Chevrolet is hoping that some of the goodwill towards Audi amongst enthusiasts will rub off on their HHR. Either that or someone was asleep at the switch. On page 2 of the February 5th issue of Automotive News, a new Chevy ad depicts a tribal-tattoo-patterned HHR. Above said retro-wagon happens to be a series of interlocking rings. While the rings don't appear to be Audi's actual logo, they're close enough.
We can't help but wonder why the photographer didn't flag this from the get-go, and as it went down the line, someone, somewhere, either with GM or its ad agency certainly should have noticed and considered it. No word on whether heads have rolled, but we're sure there was at least one stern talking-to upon discovery of this anomaly.
Thanks to tipster Christian.
[Source: German Car Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Conspriacy theory 2:58PM (2/18/2007)
Can anyone say RAZOR wire? Do you see Jesus in grilled cheese?
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displacementreplacement 3:10PM (2/18/2007)
Blogosphere diarrhea. Please edit your story ideas once in a while. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Wet Blanket
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Greg 3:15PM (2/18/2007)
Good points #1 & #2! Besides, since when is a Chevy a competitor for Audi? I know the next time I'm looking to buy a small car, it'll be hard to choose between an Aveo and an Audi A3!
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Howard Kerr 3:23PM (2/18/2007)
Apparently those who have already posted believe this is no big deal. To some extent this is true. However, NO other manufacturer of a consumer product would be so oblivious as to not notice a SIMILAR-looking competitor's product logo. Replace the HHR with a Jeep Wrangler, do you really believe NO ONE at DCX would have noticed say....the Subaru star cluster or three diamonds (the Mitsubishi logo)?
Would Microsoft have allowed an apple, ANY apple to appear in one of it's commercials or print ads?
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chuck goolsbee 3:26PM (2/18/2007)
This sort of thing happens all the time... though usually when companies use stock photography.
For example: Microsoft ads with photos of happy people using Apple laptops. In this case it is just a bit of background that bears a resemblance.
My company operates a colocation facility/datacenter for Internet servers and one of our clients is a stock photography studio. They used our facility for a photo shoot last year. Sure enough, pictures of our facility are being run in major magazines, in advertisements for one of our competitors!
Like I said, happens quite often.
--chuck
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Phil 4:08PM (2/18/2007)
I think this is nothing more than nothing. Nobody is going to say, "Is that an Audi symbol up there?" unless you show it to them.
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Ben 4:11PM (2/18/2007)
"However, NO other manufacturer of a consumer product would be so oblivious as to not notice a SIMILAR-looking competitor's product logo.
Posted at 3:23PM on Feb 18th 2007 by Howard Kerr"
Had it not been pointed out, I would not have noticed. Yeah, if it were a Mercedes ad, then this might be a thing, but is there a single product from Chevy that competes with a product from Audi? When I see a HHR, I don't think "that's nice, but for $12,000 more, I could get a A3"
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Spaceweasel 5:20PM (2/18/2007)
Perhaps its a dastardly plot to subliminaly equate puchasing a Chevy with the cachet of an Audi!
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 4:24PM (2/18/2007)
That's Funny! It's fun to look at other ads with the same critical eye.
I remember a GM ad from a couple of years ago--I think it was a GM credit card, or GMAC--that featured a washing machine that prominently featured the words "Superduty" on it. I still don't know if it was unintentional, an ancient Pontiac reference, or a blunder giving press to the Ford Truck moniker.
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JC3 4:43PM (2/18/2007)
pretty gnarly audi sign (razor wire).maybe it's an ad for an Audi off-roader.
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Misaniovent 4:45PM (2/18/2007)
I can't imagine that people who see this ad and consider buying a Chevy are going to see this subconsciously and think "hmm, I'll buy an Audi instead."
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JW 4:55PM (2/18/2007)
Sure. An Audi symbol. Looks more like the Olympic rings than anything else (well, besides razor wire).
I guess it's so easy to see, you don't need that BIG RED ARROW to point it out.
This is what passes for industry news on Autoblog these days?
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Dave 6:35PM (2/18/2007)
i know of a ad for microsoft for their spyware product that features an apple titanium powerbook.
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Richard 8:58AM (2/19/2007)
Yeah! I want a Chevy. 'cause I frequent places where they have to use lots of razor wire!
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Justin 10:12AM (2/19/2007)
Looks like barbed wire. Not to mention I'd never have seen that without the giant arrow.
Could make a cool Audi spot though.
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LegacyB442 11:16AM (2/19/2007)
WORST POST EVER
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Phil 4:37PM (2/19/2007)
Total garbage about some FREAKING BARBED WIRE!!!
This blog's quality is falling faster than TOYOTA'S!!!
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Hak€m 11:53PM (9/06/2007)
It is a new invention called barbed wire.
I ain't no expert or nothin' fancy.
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