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Since you have no doubt already seen all the relevant Super Car ads seven times over, we won't bother going over them spot by spot.
If you're really that into it though, AdAge has a tidy little summary on its site complete with ratings, commentary and the names of the ad agencies responsible for the spots.
They didn't seem to like the car ads much. We can't blame them, although the Hyundai Genesis Coupe ad was hard not to like.
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brn says:
03:31 PM, 02/ 2/09
I did kind of like the screaming from the competition.
I do think it's interesting how "car of the year" is made into such a big deal. Puts the Genesis in the same category as the Saturn Aura.
firstwagon says:
05:29 PM, 02/ 2/09
Don't put much faith in "Car of the year"
Some past winners...
2002 Ford Thunderbird: Motor Trend Car of the Year
1997 Chevrolet Malibu: Motor Trend Car of the Year
1971 Chevrolet Vega: Motor Trend Car of the Year
1990 Lincoln Town Car: Motor Trend Car of the Year
1980 Chevrolet Citation: Motor Trend Car of the Year
1974 Ford Mustang II: Motor Trend Car of the Year
It's often more of a curse then an honour.
altimadude00 says:
06:19 PM, 02/ 2/09
I think that any car that garnered "Car of the Year" honors would be groaned at today. I'm sure at that time it was worthy of that distinction. Hindsight is always 20/20.
I'd have to defend the Chevy Malibu though. It WAS a step above the Lumina and it proved that Chevy was trying to compete with the Japanese. Ford still had the rental-special ovoid Taurus back then. and Chrysler had the Stratus/Breeze/Cirrus triplets. Ugh.
The 1990 Lincoln set a new design standard using a ruler and a pencil. So at least that is notable.
altimadude00 says:
06:21 PM, 02/ 2/09
EDIT: ... "Car of the Year" honors in the 70s ....
See what I mean about hindsight?!
brn says:
08:36 PM, 02/ 2/09
There was nothing wrong with most of FW's examples and I'm sure if we fill in the other years, there will be even better cars.
I do agree that the award is somewhat pointless.
dg0472 says:
04:43 AM, 02/ 3/09
OK, first let's clear up that this isn't "Motor Trend" Car of the Year. It's a different award. The Nissan GT-R took the MT award this year.
As for 'I do think it's interesting how "car of the year" is made into such a big deal. Puts the Genesis in the same category as the Saturn Aura.', what a load of crap.
For one thing, I don't remember Saturn's putting near as much effort as Hyundai is in getting the word out. For another, where Saturn did get buyers interested with word of the award, they often researched the car and found many luke-warm reviews for the car. You'd be hard-pressed to find many such reviews for the Genesis not originating from a publication with the word Detroit in the name.
estreka says:
01:47 PM, 02/ 3/09
We can argue about the legitimacy of CotY all we want (from any source), but in the end, it's a ploy to sell cars and it does that quite well.
Personally, I think the Genesis gives some credence to CotY, not the other way around.
firstwagon says:
04:26 PM, 02/ 3/09
"I think that any car that garnered "Car of the Year" honors would be groaned at today. I'm sure at that time it was worthy of that distinction. Hindsight is always 20/20."
The Vega and the MustangII are examples of what happens when give an award based on the manufactors PR and the concept behind the car rather then the car itself.
Both were good ideas. The Vega was very advanced for it day and far more stylish the any other small car on the market. The Mustang II was an atteempt to go back to the cars roots and get away from the over sized overweight Mustangs of the early 70's( necessary now that high HP V8's were history).
Trouble with them with they were so poorly done, I doubt Motor Trend even drove one before giving the award. The Vega was famous for breaking down on the road test (I remember reading one test where 2 of the 3 test cars broke down and had to be towed).
The Mustang II was an ill handling little car with no powerful engines... not even one that was close.