For the more literal-minded amongst you, I’m not talking about the things you drive around that have four wheels. I’m actually referring to the marketing of said vehicles. The motor show in Paris is highlighting exactly what I’m talking about here.
Fuel bills continue to rise, irritating drivers no end (yet of course we still buy petrol and diesel). Ergo, manufacturers and agencies who handle marketing go for the jugular – hitting us with pretty pictures of cars with low emissions that are less damaging to our wallets.
The move toward pushing green credentials comes to a time when the EU is finalising a new directive on car advertising, which means that fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions must be prominently displayed in all promotional literature.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m annoyed at the price of fuel, as I’ve said many times before. However, this new marketing appeals to me not a jot. Just how the hell can you make a car look exciting when you’re selling it as, essentially, a way to save money? A necessity, yes, but nonetheless a way to save money. Absolutely ridiculous.
A car is all about two things – passion and freedom. Exactly how much of the former does ‘oh yah, my car does soooooo many miles per gallon’? None whatsoever. In fact, it’s the opposite of passion. It’s an appeal to reason. An appeal to sense. Thanks but no thanks; you can shove your 65mpg where the sun doesn’t shine. I’ll keep saving up for my Nissan 350z – a Japanese muscle car with only 2 seats.
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