Move over bubbly beverages—there's a new king of Super Bowl ads for 2011: the automotive industry. After sitting through the deluge of advertising associated with the big game, one thing looks certain, the major manufacturers worldwide want to get you back behind the wheel of something new. And with their debts to Uncle Sam paid off, American brands led the way; Chevrolet in particular, showing off a newfound, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sense of humor that's refreshing and welcomed from a US car company.
Even non-automotive spots were still rich with car content, (Ed. Note - Chimps are a cheap and easy laugh, Career Builder, but thumbs up any way!) though to avoid opening this up to say, 95% of the ads, we're going strictly manufacturer here. Flip through and enjoy 'em again—or for the first time.
10. Discovery: Chevrolet
Ok, so it's ANOTHER commercial for the Volt—but this time the intimidated electrical socket has given way to good ol' memories of what America's capable of, plus a lil' Jimmy. They can't all be funny.
9. Deprogramming: Hyundai
Hyundai's placement of this ad in the second half could be interpreted as sheer genius, or excruciating torture. Either way, it was almost impossible for many a beer-drenched brain to break gaze from its spiraling imagery of cars, (legs?), and gas pumps, plus a brief glimpse at some man-goat creature. When the dust settled, one couldn't have been happier to see an Elantra—sitting still.
8. Misunderstanding Chevy
One of the funniest of the night, this hilarious, albeit depressing shot of elderly life has us cringing at the image of "42 wild Italians". Does anyone have footage of this one being shown in a nursing home? No, no—we can't.
7. Escape the Confines of Old Luxury: Audi
Clearly sick of being the "forgotten" brand of European luxury, Audi has come out swingin' with this ad for its all-new flagship, the A8. It never hurts to play nice and make friends, but from the looks of the stunning sedan, it's a fight they just might have a chance at winning.
Kenny G, you still rockin' that hair, huh?
6. Diesel's Changed
From the dawn of the "green movement", some have said the answer for cars has been here all along—diesel. Packed with imagery that'll make you want to go shower, this quick hit from BMW takes a couple subtle punches at Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, while working hard to dispel the stereotypes most Americans still have about diesel fuel. Now if they could just do a spot that shatters the image that all 3-series owners are raging a**holes, all could be right in their world. (Ed. Note - we don't believe that last part-It's only kinda, sorta true.)
5. One Epic Ride: Kia
"He took my car! Wait, now he took it. Now he did. Now Poseidon? WTF, insurance is NEVER going to cover this."
You'll have to stay alert to follow this far-out bit for the new Kia Optima. Spoiler alert: The Mayans end up with it—so is this one of the last, greatest cars that will be made before the apocalypse? Hmm.
4. The Force: Volkswagen
When life has given you a weird kid, do you try to pull him to the light, or just let lil' dude be who he's going to be? The father in this not-so-menacing ad by Volkswagen has chosen the latter. Amusing to say the least, all we can gather about the new Passat is that it looks like the Jetta, and has a remote start—but with the Imperial March as your soundtrack, you really can't lose. Now can we get one with Boba Fett?
3. "Welcome": Mercedes-Benz, featuring Diddy
While a pre-game leak, this very first Super Bowl spot from the boys at Benz is something true car nuts could watch all day long. Though after seeing them get slammed early on by another rival brand, it's interesting to see that they left Janice Joplin's "My friends all drive Porsches" line out of the music; Classy move, or playing it safe? You decide, while Puffy tries to find his ride.
2. Miss Evelyn: Chevy
Nothing's changed since this new Camaro spot leaked to the Internet a few days back, but it still has just about everything a guy could want in a TV ad. It's so good in fact, we're even willing to forget about that little Glee tie-in.
1. Born of Fire: Chrysler and Eminem
Countless critics and analysts have dismissed Detroit, MI, the heart, soul and roots of America's automotive industry, as a barren, desolate place; a stinking corpse that might as well be kicked into Lake Michigan and forgotten about.
Well, Mr. Mathers proved his naysayers wrong. Now it's Detroit's turn. At the start of this two-minute long spot, most of us thought we were in for another heart-tugging song and dance about America's fortitude and resolve. Then the beat dropped, and we knew it's EXACTLY what we were getting; and we *&%#ing loved it. Nice work Chrysler, Em. We're in your corner again.
