VW Crash Ads: Is this sensationalism or sensible?
David Kiley, of Business Week Online, likes them. Mackenzie Dawson, of the New York Post Online Edition, isn't enthusiastic about them.…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Volkswagen's Crash Ads Spark Controversy - Comments Page 2
Article comments
26 - Alfonso
I'm just an ordinary Joe, middle aged guy... been in a few pretty good sized accidents in my younger, "more impatient" years....Volkswagen should seriously re-think these recent "crash" commercials as being a tool for selling their new cars. Watching twisted metal and traumatized car occupants doesn't really make me want to run and visit a VW showroom. Call me crazy, but the message I'm getting from these commercials is something like...."If I buy one of these, I will probably get into a serious fender bender at some point in time.....these commercials would be more suitable for big name insurance companies, leaning more towards...."Hey, these new VW's are so safe that we'll give you a discount on your automobile insurance if you call the 800 number on your screen". If you don't believe me, then put the famous wrecked Jetta right inside a VW showroom, in the front of the window, and see how many people come in....here's an alternative....do more research.....put the findings on DVD and include a copy with every new car, and let the owner peruse at his own convenience....as far as selling new cars, we want to see nice crisp exterior lines, sporty engines, comfortable interiors with all the bells and whistles, lots of chrome and fake wood.....can't get enough chrome and fake wood trim. Stop the smashing car commercials, how about it?
27 - Ron Page
I wonder why the accidents in both ads impact black guys?
28 - Mary K. Williams
To those who are upset by the VW commercials: The tag line (as someone mentioned above) is "Safe Happens"
Well, as far as commercials go, "Life Happens" Not that I want to diminish any physical or emotional scarring those kinds of accidents leave on a person - still though, directing your displeasure at VW doesn't make sense.
What about the couple who suffers a miscarriage, or worse, a stillborn delivery. Next TV commercial is for Pampers or Carnation, and there you have the gorgeous baby all glowing and angelic. That would hurt.
Or suppose you just ended a relationship, then your hit with the ad for diamonds, or for Ronco's Romantic Music for Lovers (or some such baloney).
No one can predict when a reminder of an ugly past event will slap us upside the head. It's never fun, but life works that way sometimes.
These ads are supposed to make us think a little harder about being safe. Looking at the big picture, I can't see the harm in that.
29 - Jared
Like Frank says I like the ads too but it does depend on the type of crash.
I'm wondering what the new Volkswagen L1 would look like after a crash test.