Car Ads
Youth cars sell well - to seniors
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By Richard Read · 19 Aug 2013
The car industry is in a very weird place. On the one hand, sales are strong. After a few very bleak and painful years, most industry accountants have capped off their red pens and are writing almost entirely in black.Auto technology is booming, too. New powertrains hint at a zippier, greener future, and infotainment advances mean we'll be traveling in comfort, with a greater sense of safety. Heck, in another few decades, our cars may do most of the driving themselves, leaving us to nap, chat with friends, or watch movies on our commute.On the other hand, trouble's a-brewing. Young people seem less interested in cars, and that may not change. What does this mean for the future of an auto industry that's currently undergoing something of a renaissance? No one can say for sure.But the contrast of these two phenomena -- that is, strong car sales in the face of apparently declining demand -- raises an interesting question. Who the heck is buying all these cars? And more importantly, who's buying the Souls, Sparks, and other pint-sized models targeted at younguns?The Wall Street Journal has the answer, at least in the US: seniors. And they're not buying them for their kids or grandkids, they're buying them for themselves.What the? Whyzat? How did this happen? Apparently, all those dancing hamsters have made an impression on the senior set. According to folks interviewed by Christina Rogers, seniors appreciate cars like the Soul because they're easy to maneuver and equally easy to get into and out of - easier than big SUVs, anyway. They're nice-looking rides, too, which is attractive to Boomers who want to continue feeling youthful and desirable.Boomers also possess massive buying power, having accumulated significant savings during their lifetimes. (It's doubtful that their kids and grandkids will fare as well.) But Boomers don't want to spend all their money in one place, and to that end, subcompacts seem like a good investment, since they're often cheaper to buy and maintain than other vehicles.Will carmakers have to wait for Millennials (those aged 18 - 34) to retire before they start buying all those cute subcompacts? We'd love to hear your thoughts, no matter which demographic you're in.www.thecarconnection.com
Kia Hotbot is back to protect in new ad
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By Karla Pincott · 05 Aug 2013
One of our favourite Super Bowl ads has become animated. The Kia Hotbots ad was one of the 2013 Super Bowl hits, combining slick production, humour – and a sly dig at motoring journalists. The original ad featured a robotised motor show stand attendant – based on Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella – dealing punishment out to a grubby-handed journalist who kicks and paws the car.
The ad was produced by Method Studios in Los Angeles, with help from stunt legend Gary Powell, whose credits include major action work like Skyfall and Bourne Ultimatum. The studio kept Campanella’s head and dress, but digitised the rest of her body to create robotic parts with clear panels at the joints giving glimpses of the working systems inside her.
While the Hotbot dished out brutal treatment in the first ad, the tagline to ‘respect the tech’ carried over into the second commercial in a storyline where the action between man and robot is so much friendlier it borders on suggestion of man-machine intimacy -- or perhaps that should be interface. Or maybe he’s just taken the Hotbot home to robovac his loungeroom.
The three most recent ads continue on the same theme of ‘protecting the tech’ but Kia has moved to a fully animated format. Strangely, since the Hotbot was so seamlessly produced for the first two ads, she’s barely recognisable in the hipster graphics of the cartoon format.
We’re curious as to why the change was made. Was there resistance to the near-human aspect of the Campanella Hotbot? Or perhaps resistance to the price of producing more highly complex commercials? And we’re also curious to know which one you prefer… the robotised Ms Campanella, or the cartoon version. Let us know in the comments below.
2013 Super Bowl best car ads
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By CarsGuide team · 31 Jan 2013
Carmakers spend up big on the annual Super Bowl commercials, with a 30-second in-game spot costing $3.7m and even slots at the start and end of the game commanding premium prices.