Incredible Detroit/Chrysler commercial - Super Bowl

**Detroitej72** · February-09-11, 09:25 AM

I hate to provide perspective to all the naysayers on this thread who keep screaming at what a horrible state Detroit is in,but the commercial spoke for Metro Detroit as a whole. Since most of the Chrysler factories are in the suburbs, and many of the employees live out there, the whole region is one in the eyes of those outside of Michigan. Last time I checked, there were still many beautiful areas in the metro region that are way better than anything other parts of the country could offer.

**English** · February-09-11, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

I hate to provide perspective to all the naysayers on this thread who keep screaming at what a horrible state Detroit is in,but the commercial spoke for Metro Detroit as a whole. Since most of the Chrysler factories are in the suburbs, and many of the employees live out there, the whole region is one in the eyes of those outside of Michigan. Last time I checked, there were still many beautiful areas in the metro region that are way better than anything other parts of the country could offer.

Didn't you get the memo? If Detroit still isn't back from hell yet, the Detroit suburbs are heaven on earth. Like the City Data people assert [[with what I assume are straight faces), in most suburbs around the country, you have to go into the city for entertainment, but in metro Detroit, all the fun is in the 'burbs. So as they assert, you get the best of both worlds here. Best place on earth -- with gas nearly three and a quarter bucks per gallon this winter, and estimated to be at $4 pg by Memorial Day. [[Then again, only poor Detroitists complain about gas prices -- people in the 'burbs aren't poor, so such trifles do not concern them.)

Anyway. Reading the last pages of this thread make me really, really snarky. There are people, places, and things that I loathe and despise. I do NOT spend my downtime anywhere near webpages dedicated to loathed and despised people, places, and things. The fact that people who think Detroit blows choose to spend so much time here is odd at best, and at worst, it's...

**bailey** · February-09-11, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by English

Didn't you get the memo? If Detroit still isn't back from hell yet, the Detroit suburbs are heaven on earth. Like the City Data people assert [[with what I assume are straight faces), in most suburbs around the country, you have to go into the city for entertainment, but in metro Detroit, all the fun is in the 'burbs. So as they assert, you get the best of both worlds here. Best place on earth -- with gas nearly three and a quarter bucks per gallon this winter, and estimated to be at $4 pg by Memorial Day. [[Then again, only poor Detroitists complain about gas prices -- people in the 'burbs aren't poor, so such trifles do not concern them.)

Anyway. Reading the last pages of this thread make me really, really snarky. There are people, places, and things that I loathe and despise. I do NOT spend my downtime anywhere near webpages dedicated to loathed and despised people, places, and things. The fact that people who think Detroit blows choose to spend so much time here is odd at best, and at worst, it's...

English, that is such a crock of deflection. Is this a discussion board or an echo chamber? Can one not have a difference of opinion here? Can one not express confusion at the extremely over the top reaction to a car commercial here? I mean 10 pages of people MOVED TO TEARS [[or at least claiming to be) over a COMMERCIAL, followed by what? 12? articles and editorials in the local dailies and more than a few national blurbs over an ad that, once you peal back the moodily shot images and schmaltz, had some pretty glaring factual inconsistencies.

Placing one's head in the sand or one's fingers in one's ears doesn't solve the problems facing Detroit. Ignoring and rewriting vast swaths of the history of the region and absolving one of Detroit's principle contributors to it's downfall of any responsibility isn't helpful either.

I'm not saying the suburbs are a utopia I'm pretty sure no one else did either....at least not on this thread. What I am saying is that I am legitimately lost on why this ad has any credibility with anyone here on this board or anyone that has even the most basic familiarity with Detroit and SeM. Are we, as a region, THAT insecure- THAT desperate for positive press about ourselves that we can't say..."hang on, some things about that ad and its creation just don't make sense".

Detrotj72 claims to want to provide perspective.... Well, where is it? Chrysler [[soon to be 51% owned by Fiat) hired a Portland ad agency, [[which then hired a Chicago talent agency) to write and produce an ad touting DETROIT [[not metro Detroit) as a center of creativity and innovation as well as sell it's car as some sort of harbinger of Detroit[[city of) and Detroit[[domestic car makers) "comeback". None of that sticks in anyone's craw a little as being patronizing or dishonest or inaccurately reflecting reality? Is the ad absolved of any need to be honest as long as the message is positive?

It was a well executed ad that clearly played to an audience around here desperate for attention. And it clearly drove people to check out the 200. I'm sure that agency out in Portland will win some awards for it. I wonder if they'll open a Detroit office though.

Mr. Houdini · February-09-11, 12:50 PM

This one TV commercial just fixed all of Detroit's woes. Too bad it wasn't aired years ago. Like back in the 70's.

**Matt The Deuce** · February-09-11, 01:09 PM

The commercial was like a pep talk in the huddle when your team is at your 20 yard line and you need to go 80 yards for the TD. With Detroit probably more like on the 2 with 98 to go. Even more of a reason for some positivity.

What's wrong with a pep talk?

You need to believe that there is a chance to get there.

That's all people are feeling about this commercial. A little bit of positive in an avalanche of negativity.

it's not going to "solve anybody's problems" Nobody said it was.

And who gives a shit that it was a choir from the Pointes?

That the agency was from Portland?

That Crysler is in Auburn Hills?

Small minded provincial thinking.

**rooms222** · February-09-11, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Matt The Deuce

Small minded provincial thinking.

That is right. This is transcendence for lack of a better word. Detroit is all of us in the region, as so noted on this website. Beyond a hard and fast physical boundary, many things past and present that have an association with "Detroit" can and will continue to do so in the minds of most [[or the subconscious of all)....

**Whitehouse** · February-09-11, 01:50 PM

This could be the most talked-about commercial of this superbowl season [[along with,be it for different reasons, those disgusting and insulting Groupon commercials...)

In any case, this thread is on fire!

**Gistok** · February-09-11, 02:11 PM

YES... the Ad Agency is from Portland... got it Loud and Clear... and yes.... Chrysler is going to the Italians... Check and Confirmed... but what some are doing here is something that we all know by its' proper reference... and that's called.... Shooting the Messenger....

**old guy** · February-09-11, 02:19 PM

I also thought the ad was great, and great for Detroit. I was watching the game with a couple of friends and we were talking during the ad. As it progressed, it got kind of quiet in the room and at the end of the ad everyone just looked at each other and said wow, that was cool.
Now, if you could just get rid of that grease ball from the pawn shop.

**ggores** · February-09-11, 02:20 PM

I wish they would've shown The Mover.

But that's OK, I'm sure a lot of people across the country are just as miffed as to what in hell that suspended black fist is all about, as much so as they'd be wondering "what the hell is THAT thing all about?" The Mover, I mean.

**p1acebo** · February-09-11, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by old guy

I also thought the ad was great, and great for Detroit. I was watching the game with a couple of friends and we were talking during the ad. As it progressed, it got kind of quiet in the room and at the end of the ad everyone just looked at each other and said wow, that was cool.
Now, if you could just get rid of that grease ball from the pawn shop.

Come onnnn, I actually like Hardcore Pawn haha

**English** · February-09-11, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

English, that is such a crock of deflection. Is this a discussion board or an echo chamber? Can one not have a difference of opinion here? Can one not express confusion at the extremely over the top reaction to a car commercial here? I mean 10 pages of people MOVED TO TEARS [[or at least claiming to be) over a COMMERCIAL, followed by what? 12? articles and editorials in the local dailies and more than a few national blurbs over an ad that, once you peal back the moodily shot images and schmaltz, had some pretty glaring factual inconsistencies.

Placing one's head in the sand or one's fingers in one's ears doesn't solve the problems facing Detroit. Ignoring and rewriting vast swaths of the history of the region and absolving one of Detroit's principle contributors to it's downfall of any responsibility isn't helpful either.

I'm not saying the suburbs are a utopia I'm pretty sure no one else did either....at least not on this thread. What I am saying is that I am legitimately lost on why this ad has any credibility with anyone here on this board or anyone that has even the most basic familiarity with Detroit and SeM. Are we, as a region, THAT insecure- THAT desperate for positive press about ourselves that we can't say..."hang on, some things about that ad and its creation just don't make sense".

Detrotj72 claims to want to provide perspective.... Well, where is it? Chrysler [[soon to be 51% owned by Fiat) hired a Portland ad agency, [[which then hired a Chicago talent agency) to write and produce an ad touting DETROIT [[not metro Detroit) as a center of creativity and innovation as well as sell it's car as some sort of harbinger of Detroit[[city of) and Detroit[[domestic car makers) "comeback". None of that sticks in anyone's craw a little as being patronizing or dishonest or inaccurately reflecting reality? Is the ad absolved of any need to be honest as long as the message is positive?

It was a well executed ad that clearly played to an audience around here desperate for attention. And it clearly drove people to check out the 200. I'm sure that agency out in Portland will win some awards for it. I wonder if they'll open a Detroit office though.

Feel better now?

muskie1 · February-09-11, 07:41 PM

It was a great commercial. Funny how everyone overlooks a few Chrysler facts. They strongly touted Detroit but will not allow a dealership in the city.Look at a map of the closed metro Detroit dealers and you will notice that many were bordering Detroit closely, of those dealers that won their federal arbitration case Chrysler has made it clear they can not open in their old locations. I know of several who have been told that in order to re-open a move to the Milford area would be needed
.
Most of the dealers that remained open did so not based on any sales,customer satisfaction or service satisfaction, but on how much money they owed Chrysler on their property. If you had a free and clear location you probably got the axe even though you exceeded the other dealers in all of these figures.

A survey of about 300 Dealers who own Chrysler franchises revealed that over 90% of them would gladly walk away from the company if they could sell their property for what it was worth 5 yrs. ago. The value of an actual franchise is zero they would be happy to just sell their land.

So when you go buy a new Chrysler 200 do not be surprised with long repair times as many of the still open dealers are on the verge of collapse. Here is a little number to consider, the prototype dealer of the future [[heavily backed by the company) is Golling Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram. They need to sell about 300 new cars a month to even pay the bills and until a few years ago avg. 4-500 a month. Last month they sold 98 and lead the entire zone in sales and will probably sell less this month.

So while being a great Detroit commercial,it was nothing more than a so called American car company's dying last words trying to play on the American spirit. I for one will buy my cars from a company that still has dealers in the city.

**fryar** · February-09-11, 08:58 PM

There have been a few hold-your-horses type comments, but on the whole, the reaction has been very positive.

The degree of reaction the ad provoked speaks to the nature of the national/global conversation about Detroit, and the city's/region's inability to get a positive word in edge-wise among the persistent themes of decline.

Now if you all will excuse me, I hear another forum may be itching for a piece of my mind.

**Gistok** · February-09-11, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by muskie1

So when you go buy a new Chrysler 200 do not be surprised with long repair times as many of the still open dealers are on the verge of collapse. Here is a little number to consider, the prototype dealer of the future [[heavily backed by the company) is Golling Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram. They need to sell about 300 new cars a month to even pay the bills and until a few years ago avg. 4-500 a month. Last month they sold 98 and lead the entire zone in sales and will probably sell less this month.

Well well well... then can you explain away the anomaly I had last Friday... got to Mike Riehl's Chrysler Dodge dealer at 3PM on a Friday, expecting to pick the car up on Monday... they sent me home in a courtesy van, and called me up unexpectedly 1 1/2 hours later with my car finished and waiting... never had dealer service so fast in my life....

Wow was I impressed, best service I've ever had....

Sorry Muskie1... but your vision of reality is NOT what I experienced...

gdogslim · February-10-11, 08:35 PM

But... one question.... who is twitching??

look at the end of the ad, the eye thing, if they shoot more commercials i would recommend a little botox for the muscle reflex. its all good.
I think the intent of the ad was to put out a feeling and mood to buy a car and put people in a place where they relate to the underdog. Chrysler is back from hell like the D and they are representing.

**MichiganGirl** · February-10-11, 08:53 PM

OMG...wow! The commercial rocked! My grandparents came here for jobs, on my mother's side; both her mother and her father came from PA to find automotive jobs. They met in Detroit and lived happily ever after. My grandfather delivered new cars, for a living...he was a truck driver.

On my father's side, his dad came down from Canada and his mother came from Gaylord [[MI). They met in Detroit and lived happily ever after. My grandfather was a tool and die maker, and part of the early movements for the union.

My father worked automotive, so did my uncles, cousins, brother, and many other friends/family members. The company I work for is connected to automotive.

I am born of automotive blood...I am Detroit. I have been gone twice for jobs out of state, but trust me in saying this, there is no better hard working educated talented place in America. We get it. And no, you will never find a foreign car in my driveway...I am Detroit! I don’t care what anyone says about this….I have automotive and Detroit in my blood…you can never take that away. This commercial said it all for me!

muskie1 · February-11-11, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Well well well... then can you explain away the anomaly I had last Friday... got to Mike Riehl's Chrysler Dodge dealer at 3PM on a Friday, expecting to pick the car up on Monday... they sent me home in a courtesy van, and called me up unexpectedly 1 1/2 hours later with my car finished and waiting... never had dealer service so fast in my life....

Wow was I impressed, best service I've ever had....

Sorry Muskie1... but your vision of reality is NOT what I experienced...

I am not talking about this exact moment,but in the future. You also took your car in at an ideal time for service, cold weather. This past summer I tried to get my 2008 serviced at 3 westside dealers,all had about a week f wait for an appointment to replace a wheel bearing for the 2nd time on a 27,000 mile vehicle. During the cold you usually only get emergency repairs as alot of people will wait for less pressing issues.
The eastside still has a greater concentration of dealers vs. the west. There used to be a huge employee base supporting the eastside.

**Gannon** · February-11-11, 02:00 PM

This didn't take long...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdySu...layer_embedded

Go, Wyandotte!

**majohnson** · February-11-11, 09:42 PM

In repsonse to some of the posts about the 8 mile boundary . . .
Why not show some footage from Sterling Heights then?
The commercial clearly makes no attempt to equate Detroit with Metro Detroit.
If they had I would not have made this post.
To make my point more clear, compare the concept of greenwashing to the commercial.
With greenwashing a corporation will make some inconsequential change and imply that the rest of the company's actions are accounted for.
The commercial makes no attempt to market Mero Detroit's appeal. It makes it wager purely on the street cred of Detroit.

Oh wait a minute, let me guess. A ruin porn exploration of Detroit speaks of Detroit proper but a commercial with similarly limited geographical showings speaks of Metro Detroit.
Get real, the commercials exploits Detroit's street cred without explicitly stating the car is made here.

Is CNN's Assignment Detroit about Metro Detroit?
When people reporters talk of Detroit as a 'food desert' are they talking about Metro Detroit?

So everything negative is Detroit proper and everything positive Metro Detroit?

previous:
I didn't watch the Super Bowl but watched the Chrysler "Imported from Detroit" commercial.
I was proud the first three times I watched it on You Tube.

I saw the commercial's filming January 6th.
I was cruising around dtwn after watching the Moth at Cliff Bell's.

Anyway, back to my title.
Chrysler wants to use Detroit imagery and that is fine, most car commercials don't tell you where the film footage is from.
But this ad claims Detroit.
The car is assembled in Sterling Heights.
Chrysler does not design vehicles in Detroit.

The commercial does not try to sell the car on its merits but based on a city/people story.
The same thing could have been accomplished within the Sterling Heights assembly plant where the Chrysler 200 is produced.
Whether they are looking for grit, resillence, or funny moments it could have been found at the Sterling Heights factory.

If they want to claim the D use a car produced at a Detroit factory, Jefferson North.

"Hey, don't make fun of that commercial! Detroit is featured in it and we need anything we can get.!"

Is the Prius imported from Detroit?
Is it designed, manufactured, or assembled in Detroit? No.
Is the 200? No.

Here is a pitch for a Prius, Imported from Detroit commercial.
No audio. Visual, sketchy D neighborhood, stops on people moving into worn down looking house. Three seconds.
Voice over starts, "Some people say one person can't make a difference, that one person can't x,y,z."
Visual, one person turning over barren soil, time lapse photography of working on community garden, turns into 'cool' Liberal fantasy small neighborhood potluck in the remodeled house.
Voice over, "But in Detroit, we know different."
Visual zoom away, Prius subtly in driveway.

That commercial would kick butt, claims the hope of the D without claiming it was made here.

**leland_palmer** · February-11-11, 10:07 PM

Wow! Are we really going to do this again? If it's not south of Eight Mile it's not Detroit?
It's 2011. Can we have a new meme already? This shtick is tiring.

**Richard** · February-11-11, 10:14 PM

I am not understanding why it is necessary to pick this apart ,take it at face value and understand that a major corporation actually put a city before itself, the car was secondary ,IMHO

**leland_palmer** · February-11-11, 10:18 PM

Exactly! It was a BRAND spot! It wasn't about the car. The 200 was never even mentioned in the spot. I love to have an up vote/down vote feature on this board.

**DetroitPlanner** · February-11-11, 10:28 PM

I live in Detroit proper. I don't have any issue with Sterling Heights being associated with and being called part of Detroit. It is part of the Detroit urban area. Heck Windsor is part of Detroit and its in a different country! Ann Arbor is part of Detroit even though they are in denial.

**tallboy66** · February-11-11, 10:47 PM

Why not come up with a Regional name like Chicagoland or NYC metro?
Chicagoland encompassing Indiana, Wisconsin and suburbs, NYC encompassing Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island.
Detroit IS more than just Detroit Windsor is a big part too.

Not a big fan of Eminem or Chrysler but he sure does to be having fun in his cruise from Greektown to the Fox theatre, all 17 blocks of it. lol.