Ford has posted its new “Dirty Jobs” commercials for its 2007 F-150 pickup. The commercials feature Mke Rowe, the star of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”

This one is called “Leaf Springs” and Ford attributes the load capacity of the F-150 to its “big honkin’” leaf springs.

And yes, “honkin’” is a technical term.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Ford via Jalopnik ##

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Ford has posted its new “Dirty Jobs” commercials for its 2007 F-150 pickup. The commercials feature Mike Rowe, the star of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”

The first one is called “Boxed Frame” stating that the F-150 can an 11,000 pound trailer, which Ford attributes to its fully-boxed frame. Whether or not other automaker’s use “un-boxed” frames on their 1/2 ton trucks is for other discussions. We’re here for the commercial.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Ford via Jalopnik ##

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Ford has announced that Mike Rowe, creator and star of Discovery Channel’s highly rated show “Dirty Jobs” will join the automaker’s ‘Built Ford Tough’ team. For those of you that don’t know, ‘Dirty Jobs’ puts Mike Rowe in grueling, dirty jobs and celebrates those that do the jobs that make civilized life possible, including jobs like underwater lumberjacking, road kill removal, bat cave cleaning and catfish noodling, or bare-handed fishing.

Mike will star in a series of commercials that highlight the 2008 F-150’s improved towing and hauling capabilities.

Press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Nissan’s latest commercial for its Qashqai compact crossover, builds on the Qashqai Cargames extreme sports viral videos. Instead of performing extreme stunts while driving the compact crossover, this time the Qashqai is used as a skateboard for a giant.

Video after the jump.

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Earlier this month, after complaints from suicide prevention advocates, Volkswagen decided to pull its suicide-themed “Jumper” commerical. The VW ad features a man on the verge of jumping from a high ledge. A stranger convinces the man not to jump by telling him it’s possible to own a VW vehicle for less than $17,000.

Check out the video after the jump.

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General Motors has completed edits on its controversial “Robot” commericial that was broadcast during Super Bowl XLI. Gone is the ending suicide scene that led to complaints from suicide prevention groups. Also gone is any trace of humor, and any reason for watching the less appealing commercial.

Let’s just say we’ll be skipping thru this commerical when it’s run during the Academy Awards tonight.

If you want to check out the new suicide-free ending, it is on the GM Dependability page.

## Source: LSJ.com ##

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We came across the classic Honda “COG” commercial on YouTube. While it surprise you, there were no animated tricks used in its production, everything that you see is a real-time creation that took seven months of preparation, Every complex event took place in a single, uninterrupted two-minute sequence, which means it took 606 video takes.

The result is a mesmerizing chain reaction that will leave you scratching your head.

Video after the jump.

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Back in December, we wondered what this car was, and then once we know we wondered by Honda brought a JDM car and a film crew to the States.

Thanks to Carscoop, we have the promotional video that Honda shot when it was in L.A. This is likely the last time we will talk about the Crossroad, unless rumors of a U.S. version of the Crossroad to replace the Element come true.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Carscoop ##

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Saab has ‘iced’ its 9-3 Convertible, encasing it in a garage made of ice at Sweden’s world famous ICEHOTEL. Saab customers, VIP guests and dealers will be greeted by the ‘iced’ 9-3 when they arrive for the Saab Ice Experience event, which is held at the famous hotel, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The 9-3’s ice garage is built from 60 ice blocks cut out of the nearby Torne River.

The frozen 9-3 Convertible is said to be visible from a kilometer away, with the illuminated reflections of the convertible’s blue paint giving an automotive interpretation of the Northern Lights.

As its name implies, the ICEHOTEL is an entire hotel made completely out of ice blocks from the nearby Torne River. The hotel only exists between December and April, and is unique every year, as it melts and is rebuilt from scratch.

Larger image after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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AutoWeek thinks Mazda has a marketing problem on it hands, with a lineup that includes five different people movers that it says are “all about the same size and all within a relatively narrow price band.” Mazda’s lineup includes the Mazda5, a six-seat compact minivan; the Mazda6 five-seat sport wagon; the Tribute, a five-seat car-based SUV; the CX-7, a five-seat mid-sized crossover; and the new CX-9, a seven-seat crossover.

While several industry analysts agree that Mazda is cutting things to finely, Mazda marketing executives insist the five products can co-exist because they appeal to different buyers. The Mazda5 appeals to a completely different buyer than any of the others. There also are differences between buyers who want a five-seat crossover like the CX-7 and those looking for a seven-seater like the CX-9.

We tend to agree with Mazda, with one exception. Mazda says there are differences between Tribute buyers and CX-7 buyers, but we think the difference is too small to make it worthwile. Mazda could likely move many of its Tribute buyers into a CX-7, and CX-7 margins are likely to be higher. And we wouldn’t even consider counting the Mazda6 wagon in the mix.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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Audi of America yesterday announced the launch of its new diesel-specific media website — www.audiusdiesel.com. A long time leader in diesel technology since it debuted the first Turbo Direct Injection (TDI) diesel in 1989, Audi is preparing for the launch of what is likely to be several new vehicles powered by new clean TDI diesel engines.

Audi’s first U.S. diesel will be the automaker’s Q7 SUV, which will feature a 3.0L V6 TDI diesel developing 233-hp and 369 lbs-ft. of torque. The new Q7 3.0 TDI will U.S. showrooms by 2008 and be available for sales in all 50 states. Audi has also unveiled another Q7 diesel, this time powered by a 500-hp 6.0L V12 TDI diesel engine that delivers 0-60 times in just 5.5 seconds, while still getting almost 20 miles/gallon. Unfortunately, Audi has not confirmed whether or not the Q7 V12 will be sold in the U.S.

Like would be expected of any diesel-focused Audi site, much of the news has something to do with Audi’s undefeated R10 TDI prototype race car.

## Source: Audi ##

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Following complaints from suicide prevention advocates, GM decided to change the ending of its robot suicide commerical. Now Volkswagen has decided to pull its suicide-themed “Jumper” commerical at the request of suicide prevention advocacy groups.

The VW ad, titled “Jumper,” features a man on the verge of jumping from a high ledge. A stranger convinces the man not to jump by telling him it’s possible to own a VW vehicle for less than $17,000.

VW says they never intended to offend, and the spot was meant to show that “optimism over the VW brand can prevail over despair,” spokesman Keith Price said.

While both GM and VW have pulled their suicide-themed ads, they are getting as much, or even more, attention on video sharing sites like YouTube.

## Source: The Detroit News ##

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General Motors has agreed to change its robot ad, which showed an assembly-line robot throwing itself off a bridge after being fired for making a mistake. The Foundation for Suicide Prevention criticized GM for the ad that it deemed unsympathetic and dangerous to those suffering from depression.

The changes will remove any reference to suicide, including the end sequence where the robot leaps off a bridge. The spot was scheduled to run during the Grammy’s on Sunday, it is unknown if the spot would be re-cut in time. The original ad was generally popular with Super Bowl viewers.

GM said the decision to change the spot, a significant about face just two days after it said it was sticking with the spot despite (or because of) the criticism, came after executives met with the group Friday morning. The foundation praised GM’s decision to make the changes.

## Source: CNN Money ##

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Another Super Bowl advertiser is facing critism for one of its ads. Following Snickers pulling of its Super Bowl ad, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is criticizing General Motors for an ad that shows a depressed, perfectionist robot dreaming about jumping off a bridge. The group wants GM to not re-air the spot, remove it from its Web site, and have it pulled from video sharing sites like YouTube.

The group said the spot may encourage people to consider suicide as a solution to their problems, and is demanding that GM apologize.

GM has “no plans” to drop the robot spot, spokeswoman Ryndee Carney says. GM has received “more than a handful (of complaints) but not a tsunami,” she added. She says GM “did not intend to offend anyone.”

We know that suicide is not funny, and the ad definitely could be considered in poor taste, but there is plenty of gallows humor in American culture. The tone of the ad was very tongue-in-cheek, and part of us hopes that GM continues to run the ad.

## Source: The Detroit Free Press ##

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Audi has begen to pump up the volume for its all-new A5 coupe ahead of the car’s world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Audi has said it is planning to be more aggressive with its future marketing efforts, and they are launching a microsite to generate some buzz for the new A5.

Check out the Audi A5 microsite.

## Source: Audi ##

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