Anyone happen to catch some of the new Chevrolet Silverado ads on TV over the weekend. They feature Howie Long in a Silverado going up against less manly types in a '09 Dodge Ram or a '09 Ford F-150. The best was the one where Howie is in a lumber yard with his Silverado Extended cab and he's watching this guy use the tailgate step on his F-150. As the guy walks away Howie says, "Hey buddy you left your little 'er "man-step" down."

Freakin' brilliant whoever came up with that. It had both my wife and I in stitches. Before I saw that ad, I throught the "man-step" was a cool idea. Now I can see how anti "real truck" it actually is.

Thanks GM!

 

I've liked the new Howie Long Traverse commercials.

They've been funny, and actually show some areas that the vehicle beats the competition head-to-head.

Something a lot of us have said has been missing from GM commercials for years on this board.

 

I had similar thoughts ... although objectively, the step really is a good idea given how high pickups are getting nowadays.

I thought the best one was the comparison to the Tundra, where Howie's Silverado gets 21 mpg and the Tundra's V6 only got 19

 

That was pretty awesome how they made fun of the "truckers truck."

Overall, I've been impressed with GM's new marketing strategy/ideas.

 

I have to admit that I chuckled out loud at the heated steering wheel / manicure one.

 

I think these commercials are great. I got a good laugh out of them. I thought the "truckers truck" was too funny.

 

I missed the first part of the "truckers truck" one. I didn't realize it was a Tundra.

 

As far as truck commercials go, I really like the Ram Challenges.

 

Making fun of the fold-down step is funny on the surface, but no further. I'd rather have the step than not -- it's convenient, useful, simple, and utilitarian. Sounds like exactly the sort of thing that should be on a truck.

The following features are also convenient, useful, simple, and utilitarian:
automatic 4WD
power steering
e-locker rear diff (Silverado exclusive)
electric locking hubs (something that used to be on Chevys but not Fords)

Surely, a real man can drive through anything with a 2WD open diff, right? Or, at least, he can climb out of the truck, wade through whatever muck he's stuck in, and lock his front hubs any time he wants to engage 4WD? And surely, he can crank the steering wheel around without the assistance of a hydraulic "man-pump", right?

No "truckers truck" would ever have storage compartments in the sides of the bed, right? What a horrible idea. A real man would clench anything he needs to carry between his butt cheeks.

 

^ uh

/rant ?

 

That's where I keep my laptop

 

No, I don't think I'd call it a rant. Just proving a point. I really expect more out of Chevrolet than what essentially amounts to childish name-calling.

 

I agree Jake. The commercials where Chevy actually makes a point of having a better product like the mileage comparison on the Tundra, or the capacity comparison vs. the Honda SUV are fine, and necessary. The commercials comparing the heated steering wheel and the tailgate step are funny, but don't sell the benefit of the GM truck.

 

On the tailgate step commercial, they give the benefit of a better warranty on the GM truck, in a which would you rather have scenario.

I don't recall what they say on the heated steering wheel commercial, but they are all funny.

 

My '67 Camaro doesn't have a hydraulic "man-pump" for steering assist, so why should a truck?

FWIW, my last "real truck" had crank windows, no AC, no power brakes, no power seats, no power steering, a real spare tire and lumber racks. Come to think of it, the rear bumper was a piece of I-beam welded in place. But then again, I did get rid of the old girl.