Ford pulls its ad on bailouts - Detroit News

[Psephos]

http://detnews.com/article/20110927/OPINION03/109270322/Howes--Ford-pulls-its-ad-on-bailouts#ixzz1ZAjLrHUa

As part of a campaign featuring "real people" explaining their decision to buy the Blue Oval, a guy named "Chris" says he "wasn't going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government," according the text of the ad, launched in early September.

"I was going to buy from a manufacturer that's standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That's what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta' pick yourself up and go back to work."

That's what some of America is about, evidently. Because Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early '09 and again when the ad flap arose. And more.

<snip>

The ad, pulled in response to White House questions (and, presumably, carping from rival GM), threatened to rekindle the negative (if accurate) association just when the president wants credit for their positive results (GM and Chrysler are moving forward, making money and selling vehicles) and to distance himself from any public downside of his decision.

<snip>

[otohara]

1. It Was What A Shitty Thing to Say

carping from GM?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. It was a TV commercial. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and wondered why Ford was running a Tea

Bagger ad.

[notadmblnd]

5. I don't know, but maybe if only teabaggers were their customers

they would get a message?

[FrenchieCat]

3. I saw that a few weeks ago, and sent Ford a Letter saying WTF?

Our family owns two Fords, and will be in the market to replace the oldest soon.

Guess more than just me reacted. :)

[louslobbs]

7. A friend of mine asked me (I'm a car nut) a few weeks ago, what I thought about the Camaro v Mustang

I told her everything I knew about both cars, sent her information from Road and Track, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Automobile and a few web sites I peruse........oh, I forgot, I also sent her a link to the Ford commercial. This weekend she came down to my house in Palm Springs in her gorgeous new Camaro.
Lou

[liberal N proud]

4. It was very distasteful

I saw the ad last night and thought :wtf:

[customerserviceguy]

6. They're cheesy ads, anyway

I mean, really, people being pulled before a news conference like they were celebrities or something, just because they drove a car?

However, some folks know that Ford was not bailed out, other ones don't, and I would expect Ford to use that fact in their advertising.

[Psephos]

8. Agreed. n/t

[Moostache]

9. Found On Road Dead can kiss my ass!

I not only want that ad pulled and an apology for running it, I want an apology and an explanation for the thought process behind EVER green lighting it in the first place!

The Ford vehicles I have owned have been NOTHING but headaches (my father's 1970's Elite, a 1980's Mustang, a 1990's Taurus and a 2000's Expedition) and lemons to one degree or another. I know that the company claims many reliability awards now, but their senior management is going to have to massively kiss my ever-loving ass to get me to buy another Ford vehicle in the future.

[999998th word]

10. Fix Or Repair Daily can too!