Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Ad Nauseam

Ad Nauseam Double Feature: Why Is the Auto Industry Now Advertising Bikes?

A couple of car-related ads in heavy NFL rotation caught my attention mostly for their emphasis, intended or not, on car-free transportation.

Exhibit A is from Geico, which as usual doesn't use cars in its ads for car insurance. Instead, in this spot the company's ubiquitous cartoon spokeslizard is depicted walking the center line of the Brooklyn Bridge bike-ped path, extolling the value of Geico auto, RV and motorcycle insurance. Then comes the caveat -- "You want to find a place to park all these things? Fuhgeddaboudit! This is New York." -- before the lizard is almost squashed by a cyclist who yells at him for being in the way.

Whether you're from the city or not, you're in on the joke: New York is a place where space is tight and people are on the move. But also: You don't need a car to live here, and in fact, you're probably better off without the hassle.

Unlike typical auto ads, in which cars whip down city streets with few people and little to no traffic, in our second feature Chrysler is looking to sell viewers on the company's 300 model as an authentic urban accessory. And in a real urban environment there are pedestrians, buses and cyclists. With retro-soul accompaniment from Jay-Z, the ad hypes the 300's 31 highway MPG rating with a montage of Detroit vignettes, including at least four shots of bikes. In contrast to the folks at General Motors, maybe Chrysler has figured out that ridiculing other modes is not the way to win the hearts of young potential car buyers.

Seen another way, of course, the message here could just as easily translate to "Buy this car and be the envy of all the chumps on the other side of the windshield as you cruise through the remnants of a dying city to your modernist suburban estate." In which case, in addition to this spot sort of undermining the "Imported From Detroit" theme and its connotations of urban pride, it should be noted that all those cyclists, bus riders and pedestrians are getting much better mileage without the 300's $27,000 base price tag.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The Explainer: What To Know About The MTA’s New Congestion Pricing-Backed Debt

You asked for it, you got it: a 2,000-word explainer on municipal bond sales.

February 5, 2025

Wind in their Sales: Congestion Pricing is No ‘Toll’ on the Broadway Box Office

Despite doom prognostications, congestion pricing has not hurt Broadway's bottom line a bit — and, in fact, may be boasting it.

February 5, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Tin Cup Edition

Road safety wasn't on the agenda for Mayor Adams in Albany on Tuesday. Plus more news.

February 5, 2025

Kirsten Gillibrand Trots Out Bogus FDNY ‘Toxins’ in Quest to Weaken Congestion Pricing

Gillibrand's solution to potential toxins in the subway is more automobile toxins in the air.

February 4, 2025

Memo to Mayor Adams: Reliable Buses Start with You

Congestion pricing’s success and legacy depends on improving bus service. Mayor Adams must act.

February 4, 2025
See all posts