Autoblog

UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Citroën

There have been many great car commercials over the years, but is it possible to define the best? Well, Ad Week recently took a crack at it by rating the top commercials of the year by looking at their view counts on YouTube, but Auto Express took a more democratic approach by putting the decision to a vote. Just after Thanksgiving, Auto Express came up with a list of the 20 popular commercials, and it tasked its readers with choosing the winner for the best car ad of all time. The winner? Honda's 2003 commercial for its then-new European Accord titled "The Cog."

While the ad never aired in the US, most car people have surely seen the impressive Rube Goldberg-style spot. In fact, the only commercial on this list that we saw on US television was the Volkswagen ad "The Force," but many of the others have become viral videos, including transforming and dancing Citroën C4. Of the 19 other commercials that vied for the title of best ad of all time, only the Ford Puma "Steve McQueen" commercial gave Honda a run for its advertising money.

Scroll down to watch Auto Express' top five commercial in order and to check out a press release, then let us know some of your favorite car commercials in Comments.

Continue reading UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos]

UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]

David Kiley — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities, Ram

Perhaps no car company has made bigger splashes in the last two years at the Super Bowl than Chrysler, and the automaker's marketing chief, Olivier Francois, said today that he plans to be all over the big game again in February.

Last year, the company made an ad featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. The spot achieved viral status quickly when pundits charged that Eastwood's lines were politically motivated; meant to appeal to progressive voters/viewers favoring a second term for President Obama. In 2011, agency Wieden & Kennedy burst into the game with a now famous commercial featuring Eminem. Both ads have supported Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" marketing platform.

Francois briefed reporters Monday at the Detroit Opera House while he also debuted a new series of ads for the Ram brand.

The new spots for the updated Ram 1500 have a theme of "Heaven and Earth," and speak to the lengths to which Ram will go to win over new buyers (read: Ford and Chevrolet truck owners). The brand, spun off from Dodge three years ago to its own franchise, continues using the deep, manly, seemingly tobacco-choked voice of actor Sam Elliott, who also appears in the ads.

We are going to see a lot of this campaign during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series. "With this truck launch we literally swing for the fences," said Fred Diaz, the head of the Ram division as well as president of Chrysler's Mexican operations. Get it?

Ram has been succeeding by focusing its messaging around the iconic Elliott, as well as making serious upgrades to the 2013 Ram 1500. Ram has also been spending resources targeting the Hispanic audience, whose pickup buying has been on the rise. Ram has seen its share of the light-duty pickup market surge 1.7 points to 17 percent among Hispanics in test markets. Ram has seen its overall share of the light and heavy pickup segment rise from 14.6 percent to 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2012.

Chrysler did more to the mid-cycle refresh for the Ram than is usually done on a vehicle. But under Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has made increasing share for the Ram a priority. "What started out as a minor freshening," said Diaz, "turned into a major overhaul." The 2013 Ram, which was already the pickup with the best road manners, got a new air suspension, and a new powertrain lineup including a V6 mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that returns a segment-best 25 miles per gallon on the highway; giving Ram bragging rights on fuel economy.

Have a look at four of the new Ram commercials below, where you'll also find the official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Smart Electric Drive ad offers blockbuster treatment for tiny car

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Smart, Electric

Drama, suspense, romance, horror - just about everything you might want from a great big-budget flick has been packed into this minute-long masterpiece from Smart (or its ad agency, anyway).

Smart has been pushing its 2013 ForTwo fairly aggressively over recent weeks, debuting new series of commercials aimed at changing minds about the diminutive two-seater. This spot for the upcoming ForTwo Electric Drive is no different, but it may just be the best of the bunch.

Watch all the way through - it's worth it.

Continue reading Smart Electric Drive ad offers blockbuster treatment for tiny car

Smart Electric Drive ad offers blockbuster treatment for tiny car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bullitt car chase being recreated in San Fran for commercial

Zach Bowman — Sat, 14 May 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Marketing/Advertising

The car chase from Bullitt - Follow the jump to watch the video

Hot on the tail of the music video for Sharam's "Fun" comes word that an advertising agency will attempt to recreate the chase scene from Bullitt in downtown San Francisco once again. According to SF Appeal, Duroo Productions, Inc. is set to film a spot for a Korean-based movie theater chain hoping to strut its new 4D movie experience. From the sound of things, the city's financial district will see its fair share of car chases and gun play with actors firing blanks at each other. San Francisco's film commission is warning individuals in the area not to be alarmed or call the police if they hear a commotion.

The action is taking place today on Montgomery, Bush, Sansome, Sutter, Pine, Washington and Clay streets between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and while residents will have access to their domiciles, they may have to wait a few moments until the crew is finished shooting a particular scene. For fun, the original Bullitt chase sequence is embedded after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Schirmer!

Continue reading Bullitt car chase being recreated in San Fran for commercial

Bullitt car chase being recreated in San Fran for commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:12:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac

Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Recently, we showed you a behind-the-scenes look at Cadillac's newest commercial featuring the CTS-V sedan out on Germany's hallowed-be-thy-name Nürburgring. Now, after all of the editing and post-production work has been completed, we're left with a brand new television ad spot simply dubbed "The Competition," showing viewers that one of the world's fastest sport sedans will strive to be better and better. How can you improve on 0-60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and a 'Ring run in just 7:59.32? We're eager to find out.

Aside from the gloriousness of watching a CTS-V do what it does best out on one of the world's greatest road courses, we like this video because it makes mention of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - two vehicles that inspired Cadillac to raise the bar for its own sport sedan. Give credit where credit is due, after all. Still, we like stiff competition, and you can watch Cadillac's latest ad spot for yourself after the jump.

[Source: Cadillac via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial

Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Live Design Hybrid - Honda CR-Z get the JDM ad treatment

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:21:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Honda

Honda CR-Z JDM ads - Click above to watch videos after the jump

The flying, floating, "Life Design" and power-of-dreams Honda CR-Z is about to make its debut on Japanese television in the form of two 30-second spots. As one might expect, they're high on imagery and ~~low on~~ zero on specs or driving - but we dig the flying guy with his 'wings' extended. Follow the jump to see both commercials.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Continue reading Video: Live Design Hybrid - Honda CR-Z get the JDM ad treatment

Video: Live Design Hybrid - Honda CR-Z get the JDM ad treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer

Dan Roth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercury

Classic Mercury Tracer - Click above to watch the video after the break

"It's peppy," the salesman said as an enticement to buy... It's not that the Mazda 323/Ford Laser-based first-generation Tracer was a bad car, but the Escort apparently called stronger for our own hard-earned dollar, so we drove home in a brand new 1989 wagon. Ford apparently figured this out with the second-generation Tracer, which was joined with the Escort as part of a comprehensive redesign in the early 1990s.

Must have been a step in the right direction - that car managed to make it onto Car & Driver's 10Best list. A preponderance of Tracers seem to have been painted metallic teal, one of the hottest colors of the time, but even in its second iteration the Tracer was nothing more than someone else's hardware with a badge/grille job.

Out of all the shelved model names it could choose from, Mercury is apparently going to dust off the Tracer name for an interplanetary version of the new Focus. Since the next-gen Focus appears to be so good, the new Tracer ought to follow suit, but why not take this opportunity to remember a time when power mirrors and a tachometer were "features?" On to the videos, then, after the jump.

Continue reading Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer

Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Controversial ads expected from Fiat exec heading Chrysler marketing [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Fiat

Controversial Tibet Lancia commercial -- Click above to watch video

Fiat exec Olivier Francois has a big reputation that's based on results. As head of the Lancia brand, he has garnered it more attention than it's had in many years, and the marque sells more cars more consistently. He has done this with a flair for marketing that begs for attention, and if it takes controversy to get attention then so be it. Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne chose Francois to be the CEO of Chrysler vehicles and run the Chrysler Group's marketing, advertising and brand development and strategies. It is expected, then, that he will bring his risque marketing ways to the house of The Pentastar.

Francois was the man behind the Lancia ad that had Richard Gere driving the new Delta into Tibet. As if that weren't enough, the ad was shown during the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. You can imagine how happy the Chinese were about that, but the larger story was that it worked: the ad and the controversy got play everywhere, and Fiat only had to make a formal apology to China to get on with business. Francois also made a commercial that honors Aung San Suu Kyi, a political prisoner in Myanmar.

This is the kind of advertising, though, that's more acceptable, and probably more effective, in Europe. In America, a commercial about a robot committing suicide is cause for protests, and VW's Routan campaign in which people have babies in order to justify buying the minivan is decried as insensitive by people who can't have babies. America is not the first country where one would test the limits of corporate daring or broadcast a ribald sense of humor to a mass market audience. The complete remaking of Chrysler and the company's former history of not being just another carmaker could give Francois room to bang up against some cultural boundaries. But we'd still advise Fiat to keep a crisis PR team on hold. Follow the jump to see the Delta commercial.

[Source: Ad Age]

Continue reading REPORT: Controversial ads expected from Fiat exec heading Chrysler marketing [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Controversial ads expected from Fiat exec heading Chrysler marketing [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cadillac kicks current ad agency to the curb, seeking new suitors

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac, GM

Click above to view Modernista's Cadillac commercials after the jump

It was three years ago that Cadillac switched to ad agency Modernista!, and one year leater it rolled out its "Life. Liberty. And the Pursuit." campaign. In a four-sentence statement put out by Cadillac General Manager Bryan Nesbitt, the brand is looking for a new agency and Modernista! "has elected not to participate" in the search.

There have been various reasons given for the split. An agency rep said it was down to "creative and strategic differences." Another report said it was about fees and Cadillac not being able to stick with a small independent, versus going with a shop under the same corporate umbrella as GM's other ad agencies. And Fritz Henderson said "We think we can do better."

Cadillac did well enough with the Kate Walsh ads, and its Reignition spot created the kind of anticipation the brand sorely needs. We look forward to seeing what kind of "better" Henderson and Lutz have in mind. In the meantime, follow the jump to check out some memorable Caddy ads from Modernista and a spot from the campaign before, "Breakthrough."

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Cadillac kicks current ad agency to the curb, seeking new suitors

Cadillac kicks current ad agency to the curb, seeking new suitors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lutz lays out his strategy for GM advertising: "Memorable," "clever," "viral" [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, GM

Click above to watch Kate Walsh talk up the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon after the jump

So we knew that Bob Lutz didn't like the course General Motors commercials were taking - but no one knew what he did like. Now that he's back from vacation in the Caribbean, he's laid out what he has enjoyed: popular YouTube vids like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 lapping the 'Ring, the Kate Walsh Cadillac ads, and a Howie Long Total Confidence commercial.

Sure, Lutz's plan for ads sounds a lot like the Standard Operating Practices of old GM. However, Cadillac did good business with the Kate Walsh ads, the ZR1's 'Ring showing meant you could put "Corvette" and "supercar performance" in the same sentence. And while we sometimes find the Long ads a tad facile, they state their cases plainly. If Lutz can do what those three commercials did - but do so for each of the portfolio's entire brands intentionally and over time, he'll have done something monumental.

To do that, Lutz says he is revamping and taking control of just about everything: bringing designers in on the ad planning and going to product-driven advertising, changing how GM works with its agencies and giving agencies clearer directives, holding weekly meetings with brand executives, and even making sure all the ad photography is flattering to the car. Will these changes be enough? Check out the one of Lutz's favorite new ads after the jump, then leave your fellow reader a line in 'Comments' with your best guess as to GM's chance for advertising success.

[Sources: Automotive News, sub req'd; General Motors]

Continue reading Lutz lays out his strategy for GM advertising: "Memorable," "clever," "viral" [w/VIDEO]

Lutz lays out his strategy for GM advertising: "Memorable," "clever," "viral" [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Real stories of the highway patrol?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:27:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos

The CHP fighting - Follow the jump to watch video

The scene opens with two highway patrol officers in combat on the side of the road. The skies are dark. An eagle screams. The men fight harder. This is for blood... or at least it looks like it. Follow the jump to see how it ends.

[Source: YouTube]

VIDEO: Real stories of the highway patrol? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bob Lutz unhappy with new Buick campaign?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Buick, GM, Lexus

Buick LaCrosse "Photo Shoot" ad - Click the image above to view the video after the jump

Looks like there could be too many cooks in the Buick PR kitchen, and the soup is looking worried. For the new GM to get on its feet, Buick has to find its feet. To do that, Buick has created a number of ad campaigns meant to showcase its new product and bring new, younger buyers to the brand. One of the commercials in the campaign is called "Photo Shoot," and according to a report, the recently empowered VP of marketing, Bob Lutz, isn't particularly pleased with the spot.

Both Lutz and GM CEO Fritz Henderson don't believe the commercial positions Buick as a luxury brand that competes with Lexus. They have told GM's ad agency, Leo Burnett, that it needs to do better. However -- and here's where it gets convoluted -- the ad was created by an independent shop that Leo Burnett was told to hire to do the work. Mark LaNeve, GM's head of marketing, allegedly instructed Burnett to hire Gary Topolewski, a former creative director at Burnett who worked with LaNeve on Cadillac's Break Through ad campaign, and who now runs another ad agency.

The other character in the middle of all of this is Buick VP Susan Docherty, who defended the commercial. She said it fulfills its role of promoting a revamped Buick brand, adding that she looks "forward to working with Bob and sharing spots two through six with him." Follow the jump to watch the commercial, and you can decide if it makes you put the word "Buick" in the same sentence with "Lexus."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Bob Lutz unhappy with new Buick campaign?

Bob Lutz unhappy with new Buick campaign? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes ~~wardrobe~~ commercial malfunction -- Click above to watch video

The voiceover for Mercedes' "Ignite" commercial for the new E-Class starts with "It is, quite simply, the most advanced automobile we have every created." However, during the start-up sequence before that voiceover, the actual commercial begins with a warning light: when the driver turns the car on, the message "Front Right SRS Malfunction Service Required" appears in the dash - not the type of message you expect to see when your car fires up and does its system check. Still, knowing how these things work, we suspect this commercial was probably filmed early on in a pre-production prototype with an inactive airbag - a common enough occurrence with these sorts of vehicles.

In any case, to watch the commercial and check out Mercedes' official response to the flub, hit the jump. Hat tip to Wai.

UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz USA blocked access to video of the commercial on YouTube, but they didn't get rid of all the copies. Follow the jump for a salvaged excerpt of the commercial.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

[Source: YouTube, Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

It's a Shame: Songwriter Evan Dando reportedly suing GM over music copyright [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Lifestyle

Bankruptcy is often not a clear-the-books-and-start-over process, but a continuation of one's troubles with people still piling on top of a business on its knees. Evan Dando, founder of alt-rock band The Lemonheads, is the latest to throw himself onto the GM scrum.

The songwriter is suing General Motors for allegedly copying the group's song It's a Shame About Ray for a series of Chevy and Buick commercials from 2008. Dando is said to be seeking damages and a share of the profits from the campaign. You can check out the commercials with the alleged ditty swipe after the jump.

[Sources: The Associated Press (via Google); YouTube | Image: Saltlick]

Continue reading It's a Shame: Songwriter Evan Dando reportedly suing GM over music copyright [w/VIDEO]

It's a Shame: Songwriter Evan Dando reportedly suing GM over music copyright [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: GM re:invention commercial gets the spoof treatment

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, GM, Humor

GM re:invention spoof video - Click above to watch video after the jump

We'll start off by saying that this spoof on General Motors' Re:invention commercial is not exactly fair and not exactly accurate... but it is funny. It comes from an Onion-esque type website with a decidedly sharp take on GM's situation, with story headlines like "GM Kicks Dog, Takes Candy from Baby" and "GM Kills Electric Car, Five Others in Shooting Spree." You can watch the original commercial and the spoof after the jump. Make sure you have your sense of humor switched on.

[Source: GM Retardation]

Continue reading VIDEO: GM re:invention commercial gets the spoof treatment

VIDEO: GM re:invention commercial gets the spoof treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz 2010 E-Class commercial is out there. Really out there.

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Click above to watch a Euro-market commercial for the 2010 Mercedes E-Class

As if you needed any more proof between European and American cinematic viewing tastes, this one also a reasonable demonstration of the different perceptions of Mercedes in the U.S. versus residents of The Continent. It takes a while for anything to happen, but when it does, depending on where in the world you're from, it might make you cock your head a little bit. Follow the jump to watch the 98-second spot.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz 2010 E-Class commercial is out there. Really out there.

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz 2010 E-Class commercial is out there. Really out there. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AdAge provides a glimpse at how GM's financial crisis is affecting its marketing efforts

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

The "television upfront" is the term used when networks sell advertising time for the coming season's shows. An advertiser will commit to buying a particular amount of commercial time and then pay much closer to the show's airing in the fall. With everyone still unsure of whether GM and Chrysler will end up in bankruptcy, both advertisers -- who spent a combined $2.7 billion last year -- will need to pay in cash for their commercial time buys.

Soon after GM shrunk its marketing budget by $800 million and laid off 20% of its marketing and communications staff, the phrase "very concerned" was uttered from one executive to describe doing upfront deals with GM. TV networks would undoubtedly be among the last in line for money when restructuring, although they would have time to sell the ad space, it would probably be for a reduced amount.

However, if GM and Chrysler were forced to do cash-in-hand deals for the upfront this would not only be the worst time for them to need to engage in major cash outlays, it would also hinder their marketing pushes at about the time everyone is ~~expecting~~ praying things will be turning around with the economy.

[Source: Ad Age]

AdAge provides a glimpse at how GM's financial crisis is affecting its marketing efforts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The voice of Lexus is now the voice of Mitsubishi

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Celebrities

Even though he had a long television acting career, you probably don't remember James Sloyan - but you know his voice - perhaps better than you'd like. Sloyan has been the narrator for every Lexus commercial since the brand's 1989 launch. Imagine the slogan "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection," and your mind will probably be a-tumble with images from any of those high-production-value commercials broadcast over the last 20 years.

But Sloyan is with Toyota's luxury brand no more, having been replaced by James Remar, another actor you've seen everywhere but probably don't know by name. Sloyan has moved on to Mitsubishi, and you can hear his voice right now on radio ads in some markets. So listen out for "One lean, mean MIVEC machine" when he's talking about the Outlander, and try not to think of sparse piano compositions and champagne glass pyramids.

[Source: Ad Age]

The voice of Lexus is now the voice of Mitsubishi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Fisker Karma is on its way, and Henrik Fisker wants the world to know about it. The company bought two one-minute spots during the Oscars telecast, and they happened to play just before two of the evening's most hyped celebs did their turns on the crimson shag. You don't learn much about the car during the spot, and frankly it looks a little like something that should be Spike TV late at night, but hey, the word is out. Follow the jump to see it for yourself.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma

[Source: Wired]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars

VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

All the Super Bowl car commercials you missed while in the bathroom

John Neff — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising

We were having more fun watching the commercials than the actual game up until the last quarter of last night's Super Bowl XLIII. It seemed all the big, extravagant car commercials were shown around kickoff and the first quarter, but we caught a few good ones throughout the game that shouldn't be missed. Like you, however, we had to break for the bathroom and turn away for more Turducken at times, and so inevitably missed a few car-related Super Bowl commercials. After the break we've assembled every car-related commercial shown during the game last night, so click through and make sure you've ingested them all along with whatever deep fried nonsense you ate. If you want to see ALL of the commercials that were broadcast during the game, visit Fanhouse for its 2009 Super Bowl Commercials page that hosts them all in order and organized by quarter.

Continue reading All the Super Bowl car commercials you missed while in the bathroom

All the Super Bowl car commercials you missed while in the bathroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments