VIDEO: Hyundai steps up to remedy world's worst parking job
Todd Jamison is given a new Hyundai Elantra Touring – Click above to watch video
More than a million-and-a-half people have watched an BMW X5 driver from Ontario, Canada make the tiniest of parking errors: hitting the gas instead of the brake and driving on top of two other cars. Turns out Hyundai Auto Canada was one of those 'people.'
One of the cars crushed by the X5 was a 2004 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Todd Jamison – a car that he had finally finished paying off the month before the incident. To make him feel better after that little misfortune, Hyundai gave Mr. Jamison a brand new Hyundai Elantra Touring. Follow the jump to see Jamison getting his reward, and the botched parking job that led to it. Now we're just waiting on the maker of the blue car to step forward... Thanks to everyone for the tips!
UPDATE: The woman responsible for playing monster truck derby with her X5 was identified the day after the incident when she returned to the scene and was recognized by an Extreme Fitness employee whose car was the other one crushed. She has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
[Source: Hyundai Auto Canada]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
CAPSGOD 12:35PM (11/02/2009)
THAT IS COOL I CANT IMAGINE TOO MANY COMPANIES DOING THAT
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audi_arena 1:33PM (11/02/2009)
Once again, BRILLIANT marketing from this company. Hundai clearly will continue pushing forward after this recession thanks to thier relentless focus on product and marketing quality.
anonymous j 3:43PM (11/02/2009)
yeah it's a lot better than sending out racist internet trolls.
Taylor. Yes, Taylor. 4:05PM (11/02/2009)
It's always cool to see companies understanding how "Marketing 2.0" works. Helping out victims of crappy situations that were very public even if just on a small web community is still really helpful. Good job Hyundai!
-taylor
ALBGunner04 4:23PM (11/02/2009)
OMG Haha I met this guy at a McDonald's this past Friday HAHA It was 1AM me and my friends were going to grab some food in the middle of the night, this guy and his pal (he was wearing the very same clothes haha) were rambling on about how he was the guy who had the Hyundai and how Hyundai got him a new one. I didn't believe it was him until I just saw his face right now, that's hilarious haha
Small world we live in (well, I do live in Toronto, so I guess it narrows it down :P)
AndrewNoNumbers 6:15PM (11/02/2009)
Yo, did no one realize that the blue car's actually the Elantra (and the white one probably a Neon)? Just wanted to bring this up to the first page.
fmwso 8:25PM (11/02/2009)
Completely agree with you all, that was a smart move from Hyundai and generous as well. I'm glad that this story had a happy ending.
Randy915 11:02PM (11/02/2009)
Hello unfortunate motorist, in light of the terrible park job and the fact that another competitor thought of this first --- we at Dodge of Canada would like to give you a BRAND NEW NEON!!!
Motortist: no, get away from me!
Shaggs 11:17PM (11/02/2009)
People wonder why Hyundai is coming up so fast, great marketing, good cars, and UTILITY for the dollar...
Flea 12:37PM (11/02/2009)
that's cool, hyundai.
on another note...
of course, it HAD to be a woman...
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swimstarguy 12:43PM (11/02/2009)
Don't worry, she headed back to the kitchen at the end.
Casper 12:48PM (11/02/2009)
I lol'd. hard.
zamafir 1:03PM (11/02/2009)
@Flea - I was thinking the same thing. come'on lady, we're working to break stereotypes like this, not reinforce them.
mk15 1:06PM (11/02/2009)
There are great women drivers out there you know... it just doesn't help the good ones when the bad ones really screw up bad like that.
homunculus 1:18PM (11/02/2009)
it HAD to be:
1. an suv driver
2. a BMW driver
3. a woman driver
that's the trifecta of bad driving.
Tourian 1:24PM (11/02/2009)
I wonder if the BMW lady will try to sue Hyundai or BMW because they didn't get her permission to use footage of her in their press event and demand she get a new car too? I'm just reaching out for the most ridiculous scenario possible, but I still wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
Swede 1:46PM (11/02/2009)
Tourian: Canada.
sw 1:47PM (11/02/2009)
@Tourian
This is in Canada, not the states, the Judge would probably laugh her out of court.
XGM 2:34PM (11/02/2009)
The idea this happened in Ontario is quite shocking... Let me move my car at the back corner of the lot now.
Nuieve 12:39PM (11/02/2009)
Very nice, (relatively) inexpensive gesture for Hyundai that might bring thousands new customers. Cheaper than advertising, yet better publicity.
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