Terminator Salvation and Jeep Team Up

In this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, Terminator Salvation continued its full on assault of the sports world by teaming up with Jeep to create this double truck ad. The strategy behind the ad is solid, but it misses on an opportunity to speak to a stationary audience.

The strategy behind the ad speaks to the ruggedness of the Jeep Rubicon. The Jeep Rubicon is so capable and comfortable that a robot chooses to take it out to its favorite fishing spot. If a machine that is hell bent on taking over the world and eradicating the human race can trust the Jeep Rubicon to get where it needs to go, anyone can. Imagination aside, the Rubicon is shown in the ad to be the exact vehicle you need to get you anywhere you need to go.
While I agree with the strategy behind the ad, I do not agree with the execution. This is a double truck ad, with entirely too much empty space. The robot fishing in the stream could be easily conveyed in the top two thirds of the ad, leaving the bottom third with space to convey some unique selling points of the vehicle. In my opinion when you have a stationary audience, like you do in a magazine, you should take that time to inform that audience of information you can’t fit into a TV or pre roll spot. This space could also be used to tie into the movie more. Having the unique selling points tie into the movie theme would be an entertaining way to convey interesting points for both the movie and the vehicle.
The ad feels like it was built plainly to appeal to both the movie clients and the vehicle clients. By doing that, both clients were shorted on what they could have been given.
What do you think about this print ad? Does it do anything to make you want to see the movie or drive a Jeep?

1982: Suzuki SJ410 (SJ30 or Sierra, Santana, Maruti Gypsy, Holden Drover, Katana)

After more than a decade of proving their 4x4 prowess in countries all over the world, Suzuki introduced the all-new SJ410 (the nomenclature signifying 4-wheel-drive, 1.0 literengine) in 1982. This truck was also known as the SJ30, the Sierra, Santana, and alsore-badged as the Maruti Gypsy in India, as well as the Holden Drover in Australia, or Katana in Indonesia.

Suzuki SJ410 (SJ30, Sierra)

Larger and more modern than the LJ series, the SJ30 expanded on the LJ's pluses and addressed many of the minuses. The 970cc 4-cylinder engine was a larger version of the LJ80's power plant, delivering 45hp and an even bigger improvement in torque, helping to haul its additional 300lbs over that of the LJ more quickly to its identical top speed of 68mph.

Suzuki SJ410 (Santana)

Differences from the familiar Samurai included of course the smaller engine, the narrower track width front and rear with leaf springs mounted further inboard, 12% lower transfer case ratios in high and low range, 10% lower differential gears, a 4-speed transmission, front and rear unboosted drum brakes, a transfer case mounted drum parking brake, seat and dashboard design, lack of a roll bar, and availability of half-door convertible, pickup, hardtop, raised-panoramic-roof, and no-glass hardtop versions. Note: The brakes were still not power on the SJ410 through 1985. The metal grille was kept through 1985 on the SJ410 as well - Eric Bewley.

Suzuki SJ410 (Maruti Gypsy)

Suzuki SJ410 (Holden Drover)

In Britain a "gentlemen's agreement" between British and Japanese industries limiting Japanese cars to a mere 11% of the market left Suzuki, a late comer, with a very small allocation of market share. The popularity of the SJ series forced Suzuki to investigate overseas production. The Spanish company Land Rover Santana SA wanted a product to complement their Land Rover production, so Suzuki took a 20% (later increased to 32%) share holding in Santana. This arrangement resulted in over 60% European content, allowing the vehicles to be exempt from Suzuki Great Brittain's quota

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8…diesel?

Oh please don’t tease me! I’ve been a convert to diesels for a while now. I can’t get enough of them - they’re easy to mod for power, they are as reliable as the gravel in your driveway, they make great noises and deliver more low-end grunt than a linebacker in the bathroom after Thanksgiving dinner!
There’s a rumour afoot that Jeep might gussy up the oil-burner on sale in Europe in SRT-8 duds. *lust*



�We�re always looking for ways to take advantage of the technology we have within the corporation. An SRT diesel would be the best of both worlds.� (For performance with economy.)
In Europe, where large petrol engines are punished with high taxes, diesel SUVs and even high-performance sedans by makers such as Mercedes and BMW are a popular choice. An SRT diesel…