The idea that environmentalists in this country are waging a “War On Cars” has gained some currency within the right wing in recent years, fueled by the Obama Administration’s increased emphasis on public transportation and cycling. Of course, statistically speaking, the car is proving more than capable of defending itself, as sales and ownership levels remain improbably robust (in per-capita and per-GDP terms) despite the recent “Carmageddon.” But GM waded into the fray anyway, running the anti-cycling ad seen above in several campus publications (via bikeportland.org), likely in hopes of fighting against the kuruma banare phenomenon that began with Japanese youth abandoning cars and has progressed to a full-blown national love affair with bicycles. But cyclists are a passionate bunch, and GM’s ill-advised ad prompted a torrent of Twitter protests (see for yourself), eventually causing the automaker to apologize and pull the ad.
Tagged as advertising, Bicycling, Carlessness, Enthusiasm, GM, Marketing, Sales, War On Cars
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BobAsh - Saying that TTAC European commenters are “skeptical” to the effects of start-stop system is a huge understatement. The fact that it doesn’t...
TAP - It is a great vignette, but please give us more detail on the driving experience.
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wmba - Welcome back, Brendan. Great vignette.
Summicron - “iHAWK doctor’s switch” I’m old so I had to look that up. Damn, are you ever spot-on.
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