For An Industry In Dire $ Straits, There Sure Are Alot of Car Commercials On Nationwide TV

[stopbush]

Now, I know that you just can't stop advertising your product altogether if you're to have a viable business, but how do these car companies afford all of that expensive TV advertising? There are lots and lots and lots and LOTS of products that are sold nationwide that do not have the $ to advertise nationally, yet the car companies and their ads seem to run constantly, on every channel imaginable.

Does anyone know? Is TV advertising just a drop in the bucket for these guys? What percentage of a car's cost to the consumer can be attributed to TV advertising? Do the networks give them a break (like extended credit) because there's no one waiting in the wings to book all of those prime-time spots?

I watched a football game on Saturday and the advertising was a tag team match between the car companies and the beer companies. I can understand the brewery being able to afford the spots, but the car manufacturers? Not so much.

[stillcool]

1. I haven't seen many car commercials..

but I don't watch much tv..it seems that here we have all Geico all the time.

[tularetom]

2. They still got a load of SUV's and ginormous pick em ups to sell

And they have to work harder now that gas prices haves started up again.

The football games were ridiculous. I can still see those dumbass Chevy pickup ads with Howie Long when I close my eyes.

[Crazy Dave]

3. The ShamWow business must be doing good

I see this idiot on all the time

[sandnsea]

4. They sign contracts

If they break the contract, they go to court and owe the money plus legal fees. If the network quits running the ad, they've broken the contract, they go to court...

[EmeraldCityGrl]

5. Sometimes the stations run the commercial over and over

to fill slots that are left unsold. The auto and broadcasting industry are dying on the vine.
Each needs the other to survive.

[Crazy Dave]

6. Especially network TV

Ever since Seinfeld went off the air I've probably watched network TV less than 10 hrs. total. Excluding a few special event broadcasts or a few football games over the years.

[Sanctified]

7. To sell something they need to market it. n/t

[damntexdem]

8. Yeah, but we get old commercials.

Look at the Xmas-themed ads still showing in mid-January.