Gojirra99

DaimlerChrysler ‘Smart Car’ Billboard in Johannesburg. Apparently the American auto industry's reputation is particularly worthless in South Africa as this billboard ad for the SMART fortwo shot on the side of the road near Johannesburg portends.


Often wonder how our American multinational corporations promote America abroad? Is it by bringing good jobs to people who might not otherwise have them? Through the sharing of innovative technologies? Or maybe the infusion of capital? What about one that tries to make a buck by capitalizing on the all too prevalent anti-Americanism that exists in some parts of the world?

That seems to be what DaimlerChrysler, a multinational conglomerate that includes US companies, is doing in the promotion of their ‘Smart Car‘ brand auto line. Smart, a green car that is compact, runs on diesel fuel and will be featured prominently in Opie’s ‘The DaVinci Code’, is using the slogan “German engineering, Swiss innovation, American nothing” on billboards in (at least) South Africa. NeanderNews reader Arthur snapped the above photo of a billboard seen on the Corlett Drive onramp onto the M1 expressway.

Interestingly, this ad was nowhere to be found in the South Africa section of Smart’s website. Hhmmm…..perhaps this is a test market thing?! Hard to tell how widespread this advertising campaign is but something tells me that these billboards can be seen in places other than South Africa.

I could somewhat understand this if it was based on the unfortunate fact that the American auto industry has built some shallwe say less than satisfactory autos over the years, but my gut feeling is that DaimlerChrylser is more likely trying to capitalize on the anti-American sentiment that is so trendy in some parts of the world.

American multinational companies, while often taking jobs abroad, like to counter that with the notion that America investment and trade helps promote goodwill toward America and American goods. I don’t think this campaign supports that notion.

But perhaps I am being too idealistic, maybe you feel differently. It might be best if you share your thoughts directly with DaimlerChrysler, I am sure they would be interested.

source : neandernews

J.P.

Seen one on the road here, Bosch Diesel, god was it small!

Lexmex

SMART has to be one of the worst horsepower for the price group of vehicles in the world though they do get a good MPG.

I do happen to know someone at the local Mercedes dealer (where SMART is sold in Mexico) and will happily show this to him today.

Thanks LexArazzo

Richie

Andrew, I think you are reading too much into this.
What is said above is what it's all about IMO.

Gojirra99

I didn't wrote that ^^^

Richie

LOL, just noticed that , such a dumbass!!!!
Well, I said what I said

diablo1

Seems like a bad message for them to be spreading, especially since they own Chrysler, one of the former American "big three". How about:

>> German engineering
>> Swiss innovation
>> Masculinity nothing

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Nice...

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Given how ugly that car is I'm glad it has "American Nothing".

Actually, maybe that car would make a fair speed bump here.

LexFather

SMART has bee STUPID for DaihmlerChrysler, it has lost BILLIONS and BILLIONS for the company. They need to STAY humble.

Fact is, the plug on SMART is probably going to get pulled.

I've seen a couple here in Atlanta, not sure how they got here but my bottle of Grand Mariner is bigger than the flaming car.

Gordan Murray loves the coupe though, says we need more basic 2 seaters like it. I am a fan of him, but not so sure we need cars THAT small.

GS69

LeftLane News

The Chrysler Group — the American wing of the DaimlerChrysler organization — was not too happy when images began circulating on the Internet of a billboard on South Africa for DaimlerChrysler's Smart ForFour. The ad showed a polished studio image of the ForFour, with the words, "German engineering. Swiss innovation. American nothing." Chrysler Group PR man Jason Vines said in a statement to the press today that the billboards are now "in some landfill in South Africa." He also recalled one of Lee Iacocca's famous idioms, saying the billboards "went beyond dumb and all the way to stupid." The ad agency insists it meant no harm in creating the ads.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Ouch.......

Milla...

Hahahahaha is my only response.

Yoko

Omg. Good advertising. JK

But it is so funny.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Completely forgot that Smart cars are part of an Euro-American company.

Who markets for a company they know nothing about?!? Crazy Europeans...