Recently I saw a compact car with the personalized license plate “ITSABOX”. I’m not kidding. It cracked me up, but it was a true statement. The car was totally square. And UGLY. I understand people want to do what they can to save money on fuel and help the environment and all but there’s just not a reason that cars have to be ugly to accomplish these things, is there?
Ugly compact cars aren’t a new thing, even though the market and car lots are loaded with them. Anyone remember the Gremlin? The Pinto? The Pacer? The Chevette? The Citation? The Thing? the Yugo? I do. Want to know what they all had in common, besides being old and ugly? I had friends with all of them and I wasn’t comfortable in any of them because they had no darn leg room. The odd thing is, it’s been more than twenty to thirty years and most compact cars are still ugly and uncomfortable. Heck, before I lost the weight I didn’t fit in a compact car. Twice when we rented a car we had to upgrade because I didn’t fit in the compact car. My belly was too big and my knees knocked up against the steering wheel. Maybe it’s a conspiracy on the part of the car companies – to take everyone’s money while making them think they have to be in uncomfortable, ugly cars in order to save money.
My youngest brother is about my height, just under 6 foot tall, and a few pounds heavier than me. He just got a new compact car.
I have to admit, it isn’t ugly. It’s a Hyundai. I haven’t been in it myself yet but have been assured the car has lots of room. Hyundai wants people to realize that they aren’t sheep and that compact cars don’t have to be ugly or uncomfortable. At this rate, before you know it you’ll see sheep driving cars. Imagine what that would look like if that ever happened! That couldn’t happen. Or could it? Maybe it’s already happening somewhere….
I’ll be watching the Super Bowl, more for the ads than the football since the Giants didn’t make it. Hyundai is going to be running some Super Bowl ads touching upon the “Compact Conspiracy” theory I mentioned, hoping to help people “Snap Out Of It”. Is a conspiracy theory possible? Maybe it is. It’s not like people would all have to gather together or anything. They could use subliminal advertising messages like this one that uses backwards masking.
Isn’t that something?! Hyundai made a series of ten videos, eight will play leading up to the Super Bowl and two will play during the Super Bowl. I can’t wait to see the rest of the ads.
How do you feel about compact cars? And conspiracy theories?
Bernard
Tuesday 1st of March 2011
Some great comments on your blog Valerie!
Here's a recent 80s-flavored mash-up from the same campaign (post Super Bowl). See: bit.ly/compactmash This video might resonante with those who have commented as it points good fun at compact car campaigns of the past and their claims of "roomyness".
Bernard Media Needle
Karen
Friday 4th of February 2011
The first thing I thought of while reading this post was the Gremlin! Now, that was an ugly car. I like your brother's new car.
Tricia @Nightowlmama
Wednesday 2nd of February 2011
lol toooo cute. With a family of six we could never fit in a compact car but.... I love those ads.
Stefani
Wednesday 2nd of February 2011
I will be watching Superbowl Sunday to watch the commercials too! I am going to record it on DVR too. I am one that does not own a compact car, but wish my car would get the gas mileage that some of them get.
TerriAnn
Tuesday 1st of February 2011
Living in Europe for a while the majority of the cars were compact. Our theory on that was the bigger the person, the smaller the car :) I just think some US car companies play up to people preconceived ideas. I'm glad Hyundai is making small but roomy cars!