Automobiles--"Ours is the best!"

One of my favorite subjects to write about, talk about, and watch, is the automobile.  While certainly not an expert on automobiles, I believe I probably know much more than the average college aged teenager.  Enough about me and what I know, what do advertizers want us to know about the automobile?

Many of the commercial advertizing you see on TV for automobiles have similiar characteristics.  You see a hot car, driving at high speeds, and performing like a dream.  (Watch the small print flashed across the screen..."Closed track and professional driver...")  These characteristics make the consumer believe, at least until they see the next automobile commercial, that "this must be the car for me"!  The advertizers are trying to sell you that their car is the best looking, the fastest and has the best control of any car on the market.  The truth is, while we all have our favorites, most cars built today are very similiar in construction, performance and design.  It comes down to what appeals to each of us. 

Regarding the timing of these automobile commercials, you will see them during sporting events.  Who watches the most sports on TV?  Men.  Who is the person behind most sports car purchases?  Men.  This is not to slight women.  Actually it is a compliment.  Women will almost always find something more constructive for their time than a 2 hour sporting event on television.  Women will also use their intelligence when buying a car.  (Is the sports car really the best available option to get the kids to school and baseball games?)

I don't believe you will find much product placement in automobile advertizing.  It may be a stretch but you may consider the Goodyear Tire that you see when the car spins to a perfect stop.  You may pick up on the Bose radio when the driver reaches to turn on the radio,  I am not sure these would qualify as true product placements because they are actually available on the automobile when you purchase it. 

Overall I believe that automobile advertizing is quite effective.  Have you seen the prices we pay for our cars and the sales numbers?!