Is making Cars famous a bad thing?
Discussion
I was reading my copy of Evo last night, and came across the guy who writes a 'comments' page for them - I can't remember his mane but he's the one after Peter Dron - I thinks it's Martin Buckley?
Anyway, he was rabbiting on about the Motor Show and he commented on how he thought that Aston/Ford/Jaguar was really milking the James Bond connections, and so thought that it was making the cars a little 'common' for want of a better word.
Now, I had to think about this for a bit, and I agreed with him, because the cars are now becoming very gregarous (loud?) and not the sly, subtle cars they once were.
Also if the cars become more popular, does this not detract from the exclusivity that we all enjoy in the knowledge (and for the lucky few, ownership)? Surely we all enjoy seeing the cars in the films, but maybe in a more 'quieter' way?
Or am I just talking bollocks?
I thought this would be a great forum topic so here goes...
Anyway, he was rabbiting on about the Motor Show and he commented on how he thought that Aston/Ford/Jaguar was really milking the James Bond connections, and so thought that it was making the cars a little 'common' for want of a better word.
Now, I had to think about this for a bit, and I agreed with him, because the cars are now becoming very gregarous (loud?) and not the sly, subtle cars they once were.
Also if the cars become more popular, does this not detract from the exclusivity that we all enjoy in the knowledge (and for the lucky few, ownership)? Surely we all enjoy seeing the cars in the films, but maybe in a more 'quieter' way?
Or am I just talking bollocks?
I thought this would be a great forum topic so here goes...
I disagree Neil. Nothing gives a petrolhead such a warm glow as seeing a car very similar to his own on television or the silver screen. Just look how many threads there are about reviews on motororing shows, appearances in commercials and films etc.
Obviously, the more manly the purpose the better so James Bond is perfect but if the next BodyForm commercial showed two women in white trousers cutting the roof off a Cerbera, I'm sure there would be some very excited people on here!
Obviously, the more manly the purpose the better so James Bond is perfect but if the next BodyForm commercial showed two women in white trousers cutting the roof off a Cerbera, I'm sure there would be some very excited people on here!
Neil, consider this. Ford paid a considerable sum of money to have their brands featured in the Bond film... now having spent that money, wouldn't YOU want to gain the maximum possible coverage?
The only advertising Aston has ever done is via Bond... and it's sold many cars on that licence.
There is strong evidence to support that people see cars in films (and Bond films do create quite a stir), go into the show room... see the car and want one similar. Some people might have seen the XKR, liked it, and gone to their Jag dealer... if that results in sales, the advertising is working - even if they only buy and XK8, not an XKR.
The only advertising Aston has ever done is via Bond... and it's sold many cars on that licence.
There is strong evidence to support that people see cars in films (and Bond films do create quite a stir), go into the show room... see the car and want one similar. Some people might have seen the XKR, liked it, and gone to their Jag dealer... if that results in sales, the advertising is working - even if they only buy and XK8, not an XKR.
I agree that the indirect advertising stratgies that these brands use are very clever, and that their advertising spods should congratulated, but is there a danger now that the cars are becoming a little 'vulgar', I mean I personally think that seeing the Vanquiah with all of those rockets and things is Bond style, but can it get a little too much.
I used to think of the Vanquish as a very beautiful car - in which in wuld have been sacrilige to change the car.
With respect to the movie, they made it widely known that they junked virtually the whole of the car and although I haven't seen the movie, I kind of get the impression that you don't get to see the 'true' Vanquish.
I used to think of the Vanquish as a very beautiful car - in which in wuld have been sacrilige to change the car.
With respect to the movie, they made it widely known that they junked virtually the whole of the car and although I haven't seen the movie, I kind of get the impression that you don't get to see the 'true' Vanquish.
the other side is that if they become popular then people who can afford the car but not appreciate what it's about (or indeed know how to handle such performance cars) buy them just because they want something "flash" and then misbehave in the car, giving the marque and owners a bad name. perhaps this is how BMW and Merc (heavy roots in motorsport) got that bad name (owners think they own the road etc)...
neil_cardiff said: I agree that the indirect advertising stratgies that these brands use are very clever, and that their advertising spods should congratulated, but is there a danger now that the cars are becoming a little 'vulgar', I mean I personally think that seeing the Vanquiah with all of those rockets and things is Bond style, but can it get a little too much.
I used to think of the Vanquish as a very beautiful car - in which in wuld have been sacrilige to change the car.
With respect to the movie, they made it widely known that they junked virtually the whole of the car and although I haven't seen the movie, I kind of get the impression that you don't get to see the 'true' Vanquish.
Interesting point. With regards to the last paragraph, this is actually quite common, and is done on safety grounds as well as allowing them to perform tricks.
For example, in Ronin, for one scene (the smash outside the cafe) the Audi A8 was modded to have a seat and steering wheel... in the boot!
Junking the enitre contents of a car is quite common - often replica's of the cars are used... it's cheaper.
Did the makers of JB have to really ensure that everyone knew that they didn't use the gubbins of the Vanquish.
ShadownNinja's point is really what I was trying to get across, that we really wouldn't want the marques to lose their established repspect - when everybody and his dog starts to hanker after them then it becomes not so fun anymore.
I know we all enjoy the experience of owning something special but surely we would enjoy the exclusivity the most?
Much like having a girlfriend who is erm... fresh shall we say, rather than some bike everybody has ridden...
ShadownNinja's point is really what I was trying to get across, that we really wouldn't want the marques to lose their established repspect - when everybody and his dog starts to hanker after them then it becomes not so fun anymore.
I know we all enjoy the experience of owning something special but surely we would enjoy the exclusivity the most?
Much like having a girlfriend who is erm... fresh shall we say, rather than some bike everybody has ridden...
My own reservation about this goes hand in hand with why i don't really like astons, or jags much anymore. It is more than clear in the film that Ford made a deal with the roaring lion people which meant they'd get practically every car they make up on the screen. That thunderbird Berry (mm!) draws up in looks bloody silly. The XK's are wearing that same cack shade of 'TV Green' as those F1 pedal cars. It's all a big fordy love-in and it's a stark reminder of how far from an illustrious, relatively exclusive past these two ex-british companies have come.
Oh yes, it's better than if they'd folded you'll say. Well no, it isn't. So there.
Oh, and O/T: that English girl is fab! Berry pales in comparison. Give her an Oscar!
Oh yes, it's better than if they'd folded you'll say. Well no, it isn't. So there.
Oh, and O/T: that English girl is fab! Berry pales in comparison. Give her an Oscar!
castex said: My own reservation about this goes hand in hand with why i don't really like astons, or jags much anymore. It is more than clear in the film that Ford made a deal with the roaring lion people which meant they'd get practically every car they make up on the screen. That thunderbird Berry (mm!) draws up in looks bloody silly. The XK's are wearing that same cack shade of 'TV Green' as those F1 pedal cars. It's all a big fordy love-in and it's a stark reminder of how far from an illustrious, relatively exclusive past these two ex-british companies have come.
Oh yes, it's better than if they'd folded you'll say. Well no, it isn't. So there.
Oh, and O/T: that English girl is fab! Berry pales in comparison. Give her an Oscar!
Castex - no don't hold back, let us know how you really feel!
FYI, the "YV green" is not the same...
Big "Fordy love-in" is because they paid for it. Bit like BMW did for the three films prior to Die another Day.
In line with your comment, I presure you'd rather have seen Ferrari fold than Fiat buy them...?
I just don't buy (pun intended) into all this marketing pap, if you were in the market for an Aston, or even a Jag I don't think a bit of product placement is going to swing your decision, if you've got inexcess of £100k to spend on your next motor your not that gulable 
But I imagine there will be plenty of Philishavers received this christmas in council estates around the country
But I imagine there will be plenty of Philishavers received this christmas in council estates around the country
For me its the difference between a bit of sly product placement to full blown advertising which does no favours for either side in terms of respect.
Does anyone remember the scene in Waynes World where Wayne and Garth are talking to the slimy exec bloke and using every opportunity to plug products...
Still Bond is not alone... Mission Impossible 1 & 2 anyone? - Apple Laptops, Oakley Sunglasses, Porsche, Audi, Motorola etc etc etc
Does anyone remember the scene in Waynes World where Wayne and Garth are talking to the slimy exec bloke and using every opportunity to plug products...
Still Bond is not alone... Mission Impossible 1 & 2 anyone? - Apple Laptops, Oakley Sunglasses, Porsche, Audi, Motorola etc etc etc
I don't think a bit of product placement is going to swing your decision
We all like to think we're immune to this sort of thing, but everyone is susceptible. Normally you're not even aware that you've been influenced directly.. Anyone see Derran Brown get those 2 advertising execs to produce and exact copy of an ad campaign he'd already design days before, by sending them in a taxi through london past some carefully placed posters...
Of course you can avoid the 'blatant' stuff (ie 'god I hate that advert I'm not buying the product ever again'....) most of the time you're being influenced subconciously, you just don't realise it.....
raceboy said: I just don't buy (pun intended) into all this marketing pap, if you were in the market for an Aston, or even a Jag I don't think a bit of product placement is going to swing your decision, if you've got inexcess of £100k to spend on your next motor your not that gulable
But I imagine there will be plenty of Philishavers received this christmas in council estates around the country
Quite so, but as a boy all I wanted was an Esprit after seeing one in The Spy Who Loved Me - admittedly by the time I was old enough and could afford one I'd changed my mind. But who's to say there aren't a load of pre-pubescent future supercar customers now telling themselves that one day they too will be driving an Aston, just like their on-screen hero, and some of those will realise that dream in 30 years time?
Podie said:
castex said: No, no, no. Fiat understands Ferrari. They're family.
hmm... I'm sure there's some logic in that statement somewhere, but I'm damned if I can find it.
Fiat must love Ferrari at the moment as it actually makes a profit,
something Fiat itself has not done for a while despite the General Motors shareholding. So Ferrari is a bit like the kid who grew up did well in business, and thenslipped his old man a few quid every now and then
Just look at all the pies Henry has his fingers in. I just don't think you can do a marque like Aston or Jaguar justice when you stick it together with four or five others with no previous connection whatsoever, in the same building, hire an ex-journalist that the boss fancies to promote the lot of them...Ooh Bond film! That takes care of the 'posh', 'British' badges.
Fiat knows what Ferrari means. To Italy, the world generally. The image of the two aforementioned Brit marques seems to be rather less clear-cut nowadays, and not only concepts of promotion, but styling and general brand ethos seem murky to say the least.
Sorry, i'm in a rush, but do you get the idea?
Fiat knows what Ferrari means. To Italy, the world generally. The image of the two aforementioned Brit marques seems to be rather less clear-cut nowadays, and not only concepts of promotion, but styling and general brand ethos seem murky to say the least.
Sorry, i'm in a rush, but do you get the idea?
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