- Volkswagen on Monday said it will showcase the 2012 Beetle in its 2012 Super Bowl commercial.
- The 2012 Beetle will be featured in one 60-second spot at the beginning of the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.
- "The Force" ad, which debuted at the 2011 Super Bowl and featured the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, has racked up more than 45 million views on YouTube.
HERNDON, Virginia — Volkswagen on Monday said it will showcase the 2012 Beetle in its 2012 Super Bowl commercial. But can it top the automaker's "The Force" ad from last year?
The 2012 Beetle will be featured in a 60-second spot at the beginning of the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.
VW did not disclose details about the Beetle ad, but said that viewers should expect "a fully integrated digital, social media, and grassroots campaign to accompany the spot."
The Force ad featured a pint-sized Darth Vader trying in vain to use his "power" to control everything from a washing machine to delivery of a peanut-butter sandwich. His final try is the Passat parked in the driveway. Unseen, his dad uses the remote control on the car from inside the house to help boost little Vader's self-esteem.
The Force was voted Number One ad of the year by Adweek and has racked up more than 45 million views on YouTube.
In the run-up to the Super Bowl, Korean automaker Hyundai has hinted that it intends to use a humorous approach to its Super Bowl offering next year.
Inside Line says: Mini Darth Vader will be a tough act to follow.
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90in55 says:
10:57 AM, 12/20/2011
I'm in the minority group who don't care for "The Force" commericial, as it really says nothing about the car itself. You could substitute any vehicle for the Passat, and it wouldn't make a difference. It's just as well, because I fail to get the least bit emotional for a turd like the new Passat.
There's an older commercial about the BMW 3-Series, which I find quite moving as a car guy. It begins something like, "We didn't set out to build an icon...", followed by a cool montage of older and newer 3-Series models. They even briefly include that scene from "Pretty in Pink" where Molly Ringwald and James Spader are kissing in front of his 325i with the headlights on. Hey, I grew up in the 80s.
More recently, I love Mazda's "What do you Drive" commercial. The original one aired for only a little bit, as it was probably too long and expensive to show frequently. It was subsequently edited to death for effieciency purposes, I imagine. I still view it on occasion on YouTube. I think it's titled "Mazda Manifesto", or something close to that.
alex38 says:
06:06 PM, 12/19/2011
easily one of the best commercials last yr..
eldaino2 says:
04:31 PM, 12/19/2011
@sniperruff: you didnt find it funny?
i give you a big, solid 'meh'
sniperruff says:
01:30 PM, 12/19/2011
I know everybody loved it, but I personally give that commercial a big solid "meh".
I personally liked this commercial much more:
http://youtu.be/9-aUBso-XuA
Not to mention it get me started listening to ELO ;)
fast_cars says:
01:15 PM, 12/19/2011
Yep! I have to admit that it is my favorite ad for 2011. It still cracks me up!