The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Hyundai tackles marauders for a touch down with 'Gaspocalypse' Super Bowl ad


hyundai 2013 (select to view enlarged photo)
Hyundai Sonata 2013

Hyundai's exclusive-to-Canada commercial released before the game at Hyundai Canada

MARKHAM, ON--Jan. 29, 2013: For the second year in a row, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp (HACC) is dialing up the entertainment value of the Super Bowl by producing a unique TV commercial which targets Canadian viewers.

As North America's premier sports and entertainment event, the Super Bowl attracts a huge audience. Some 50 percent of Canadian households tune-in for the Super Bowl commercials as much as the game itself. But due to the practice of signal substitution which sees US Super Bowl commercials replaced with Canadian commercials, Canadian viewers are robbed and must settle for a stream of current Canadian TV commercials. With some exceptions, however.

"We are thrilled to be one of the few Canadian companies committed to creating a unique commercial for the 2013 Super Bowl. There is no bigger stage than the Super Bowl to make a statement about one of our products and its advanced technology," said John Vernile, HACC's Vice President of Marketing. "We decided to invest in this commercial to entertain our viewers but at the same time, to inform them that we have a world-class hybrid sedan."

Taking a different tack this year, Hyundai will not keep Super Bowl lovers waiting until game day but is posting the commercial online today. And to maximize entertainment value and help stoke conversations around office water coolers and chat rooms, two versions with different endings will be released for the benefit of the online community. Canadians can now view the two different cuts online at Hyundai Canada or on Facebook in advance of this Sunday's broadcast.

The 60-second TV spot, created by HACC's advertising agency Innocean Worldwide Canada, features the Sonata Hybrid in a post-apocalyptic chase scene with an epic, cinematic feel. Director Benji Weinstein (Steam Films) assembled a crew of Hollywood's best stunt drivers and stunt coordinators whose credits include Kill Bill, Transporter 2, The Amazing Spiderman, The Green Hornet to name just a few. World renowned cinematographer Amira Mokri (The Fast and the Furious) brought the action to life. It's an action packed, engaging 60 seconds with a fun ending, all attributed to a key Hyundai feature - fuel economy.

The commercial is expected to air during the highly-anticipated Half Time Show. "The Super Bowl has evolved to become an all-round entertaining event for the viewers. But the Half Time Show historically gathers the whole family in front of the television, so it only made sense to air our commercial when the most viewers are expected to tune-in," said Vernile. "I have no doubt that Canadians will appreciate that Hyundai took the extra step to 'up' the entertainment factor of the Super Bowl broadcast in this country with our own, unique ad."

With more than 100 million viewers expected to watch the Super Bowl in North America and more than 14 million in Canada alone, the ad speaks to the sophisticated urbanite that is conscious of style, quality, and price, while motivated by value-packed, fuel efficient vehicles.

About Hyundai
Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of South Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 200 dealerships nationwide.