LATEST FROM OUR BLOGS

» More

- Portfolio Prep for Next Week: 'Don't Get Crazy'

MORE HEADLINES

» Markets | Economy | Companies

- Fed Audit Would Hurt Economic Prospects: Bernanke

BEHIND THE WHEEL VIDEO

» More

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

25 Nov 2009

About 38 million Americans are expected to go somewhere this holiday season, and AAA says that's up about 1.4 percent from last year. NBC's Tom Costello has the details.

Maria's Market Message 24 Nov 2009
CNBC's Sue Herera sits in for Maria Bartiromo to discuss the day's top business and financial stories, and look ahead to tomorrow's Closing Bell.

GM's Saab Story

24 Nov 2009

It's back to the drawing board for GM after a Swedish company pulled out at the last minute of a deal to buy the Saab unit. Insight with Erich Merkle, independent automotive consultant and CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

GM's Saab Deal Is Off 24 Nov 2009
General Motors' Saab deal is off, reports CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

BMW Signed as Olympic Partner

20 Nov 2009

BMW has been chosen as the official automotive partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics games. Ian Robertson, board member of BMW Group, spoke to CNBC about the sponsorship.

RSS FEED

» Help

Subscribe to this RSS feed
Stay up to date with Behind The Wheel.

CNBC ON DIGG

Behind The Wheel

Text Size

Feb.04

2:08 PM ET

Monday, 4 Feb 2008

Super Bowl Ad Game: Audi Roars, Hyundai Stalls

Posted By:Phil LeBeau

Sectors:Oil and Gas | Technology | Automobiles and Parts

Companies:Toyota Motor Corporation

AP
Yes, the game was incredible. So good, you could argue that, for once, the Super Bowl commercials took a back seat to the game.

But for two automakers, Audi and Hyundai, the big game was big chance to show off two big models.

Audi's spot for the new R8 ran early in game and played off the famous scene in "The Godfather" where a movie mogul wakes up in bed mortified to find the bloody head of one of his beloved horses under to covers. In the Audi ad, the mogul wakes to find an oil-slick grill and engine in his bed. We then see the R8 in front of the mogul's mansion and the message is clear: "All other cars have been warned."

Video: Super Bowl Ads -- Winners & Losers

I loved the spot. Original, well done, and most telling for me, it got people at the party I attended talking. In my opinion, Audi scored.

By comparison, Hyundai's two commercials for its new Genesis sedan fell incomplete. I wouldn't call them a fumble, but they failed to inspire me.

CNBC Special Report:

The Business of The Super Bowl

The spots featured extended shots of the Genesis and numerous refences to the style and performance it will deliver.

Nice, but not memorable. And considering the cost of running two spots in the Super Bowl -- more than $5 million -- I don't think Hyundai got it's money's worth.

It's rare that Super Bowl ads jump out. After all, Toyota [TM Loading... () ] went big time to introduce its re-designed Tundra pick-up last year and I didn't notice those spots generating big buzz. I know Audi and Hyundai will both claim running the spots will pay off, but for my only Audi can say it scored a touchdown.

Questions? Comments?

Tools:

Print Email

Previous Post Back to Main Page

RECENT POSTS

MOST SHARED