For a piece of pop culture on wheels, you can’t go past the Volkswagen. I grew up in a family of 8 kids. We had a 1955 Chevrolet. But for the older siblings getting to school it was the Volkswagen Kombi van. And so I have a soft spot for Volkswagen. Here’s a selection of Volkswgen television commercials featured on The Inspiration Room.
History
Volkswagen has its origins in 1933 when Adolf Hitler asked Porsche to redesign their vehicle for the common people. With the arrival of war the factory in KdF-Stadt was used to manufacture the Type 81 Kübelwagen (“Bucket car”) utility vehicle and the amphibious Schwimmwagen for the German forces. After WWII KdF-Stadt was renamed Wolfsburg and the factory became a key factor in the rebuilding of West Germany. With the help of New York advertising agency DDB (Doyle Dane Bernbach), the Volkswagen soared into worldwide popularity. Ads designed by art director Helmut Krone and copywriters Julian Koenig and Bob Levinson entered popular culture along with what was to become known as the Beetle or Bug.
Two classic print advertisements from this era are “Think Small”, championing the benefits of a small car, and “Lemon”, promoting the quality control processes of Volkswagen.
“The Volkswagen missed the boat. The chrome strip on the glove compartment is blemished and must be replaced. Chances are you wouldn’t have noticed it; Inspector Kurt Kroner did. There are 3,389 men of our Wolfsburg factory with only one job; to inspect Volkswagens at each stage of production. (3,00 Volkswagens are produced daily; there are more inspectors than cars.) Every shock absorber is tested (spot checking won’t do), every windshield is scanned. VWs have been rejected for surface scratches barely visible to the eye. Final inspection is really something! VW inspectors run each car off the line onto the Funktionsprüfstand (car test stand), tote up 189 check points, gun ahead to the automatic brake stand and say “no” to one VW out of fifty. This preoccupation with detail means the VW lasts longer and requires less maintenance, by and large, than other cars. (It also means a used VW depreciates less than any other car.) We pluck the lemons; you get the plums.”
Volkswagen currently uses the tag line, “Das Auto”, translated in English as “The Car”. The previous tag line was Aus Liebe zum Automobil (For Love of the Car).
Volkswagen TV Advertising Reviewed On This Site
Check out television and print advertising campaigns using the Volkswagen Category.
Volkswagen Eos
Volkswagen Golf
VW Golf GT Frog
Rabbits Multiply
Singing In The Rain
Wilco ads
Night Driving
Enjoy the Everyday
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Polo
Suicide Bomber
Angel’s Day Off
Dog Sings with Confidence
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Touareg
Launch in New Zealand – Sahara theme
King Kong tie-in
Touareg Pulls Boeing
Keep It Clean
Jason Bourne and NYPD
Other Volkswagen Commercials
Diesel Way Ahead
Volkswagen Jumper
Tea, Horses Mouth, Hidden Camera (Passat, Golf, Polo)
Bourne Ultimatum
Time To Move On – Break Up, Confrontation
Finance Director (Golf, Jetta, Passat)
TDI Diesel Together At Last
(Average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Im am busy studing graphic designing and web developer. How can i get a job at a company designing tv ads or websites? All the other places whants at least 1 year experiance. Now how do i get that experiance if no one wants you with out experiance.
pls reply.
Hello… I wonder if you can help… I am looking for a copy of (I think!) the 2001 Modified Boy Racer Golf telly advert… I can’t seem to find it anywhere… The last shot is of a red Golf with a Air Cooler/Spoiler on the bonnet, it’s raining and the Golf ‘cries’… I would appreciate any help with this one as I am really struggling…
Where was it shown Mally? I mean in which country?
Hi,
just wondering if you know what the song is in a recent VW ad that was shown on greek tv.Its a female singer,french i think,the music is accoustic!
hi i was wondering if you found out the song title after all
thx
hey i’d like to ask Joel if he found out the name of the song (the french song) cause I’m looking for it too. Thanks
Prepei na einai to Quelqu’un m’adit? -- Carla Bruni.
I’m afraid it is not “Quelqu’un m’adit”. It is, hoever, Carla Bruni- but some other, unpublished yet piece of music
there must be somewhere..plz if anybody finds it let as know..by the way the lyrics are:le souvenir qui passe petit chagrin me prend [...]la vie est un jeu de passion
do you have any idea what the music is for the VW Toureg ad that played on NZ tv last year. it has a married couple meeting in the middle of a river. I’ve been looking everywhere and I’d appreciate the help in finding it!
Thanks
found it! i emailed VW NZ and they got back to me! gotta love that customer service -- it is Free Association, a project by David Holmes, and the song is Don’t Rhyme No Mo’
melanie…is it available on lime wire??if not..where can i find it??
Hey,
I’m after an advert from 1999 and its a UK one. It’s the one where people are all holding up big pieces of card saying what they really feel (there’s a miserable old man who holds up a smiley face)
ANy ideas on where I can get a copy, I want to show it to my media class.
paidia, to customercare tis VW mou ‘pe oti einai mia diaskevi enos tragoudiou tis Carla Bruni pou den iparxei sto emporio alla ti ftiaksan mono gia diafistikous logous. de mou ‘pan poio tragoudi einai to original omws.
hello! my grec friends are also looking for the name song of this advert, but i cant find it! please tell me exactly the name of the car, so after looking the advert in yoiu tube, maybe i’ll tell you the name of the song! i’m french, geia sas!
The greek commercial with the french song is for the taureg.
Hey there.
I am after the song ”love is in the air” The remix, that is playing on your current add in oz.
Any idea ‘s who it is by and where i can get it.
Thanks heaps.
Jess
hi…I am also looking for the french song which is played on the greek ad.
please if you find it, post the title!!
I’m also looking for VW song on the CURRENT AD SHOWING ON SBS TV Australia. Anyone know it? its in english.
hi eva! so glad to read your enquiry -- the advert has just been release and its driving me mad trying to figure out the song and singer -- it sounds so familiar… can anyone help?
Yes I am also after that song:
I’ve tried searching for it on google with the lyrics:
“I learnt how to dance but i’ve never shown it to you my love”,
but no luck with any entry?
i found that aussie song sor the VW add. It’s by Basia Bulat and it’s called The Little Wlatz. Anyway type in Basia Bulat lyrics and ou’ll find it.
awsome work i have been lookin for the song for a few days now, thanks agian
Thanks Serah for the info on the Aussie EOS ad song. Been looking long and hard for it. Such a relief to finally have it
please!!!!!!!!
I’m looking for the french song of the greek spot for the Jetta!!!!(summer 2007). if somebody knows it please tell me!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for naming that song ‘Little Waltz’. I really liked it and it was driving me crazy because I couldn’t find it!!! THANKYOU =)
Anybody knows the song from the current VW Eos advertisement being broadcast in Greece?
To avoid misunderstandings, I mean the dark emotional electro tune…any help much appreciated
I want to know the name of this song too here is the current VW Eos greek advertisment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHwZDv5_PZY
I found it Deep Dish -- I Feel Speed
Hi, the song is I Feel Speed, by Ali Dubfire. Thanks Elyon for the clue.
The song is Ali Dubfire -- I feel speed (club mix)
Hey guys, i’m looking for a song from a car commercial. It was 100% French song. Female voice and it was upbeat. The only words i caught were “amour” and sth like Bum Bum. Please..I’ve been looking for over 1 year
probably nobody knows the french song in greek spot… i want it!!! help!
PLEASE ANYBODY???
Hi, baby! Oxi, den exw thn apanthsh, eipa na se peiraksw ligo. >;) Filakia
Hi, does anyone know where I can find the image of a recent volkswagen print ad campaign in Australia that showed a three car garage? Much appreciated.
anyone identify the jumbo jet in the ad where the VW 4 wheel drive car pulls the aircraft along the tarmac. The plane looks like a 747 but the engines on each wing are close together.
was searching for the VW EOS ad song and found it here. thank you who ever found it
amy
Please, does anyone know the song on the latest vw commercial i think it’s r&b “my love “? slow song
THANK YOU SO MUCH SERAH, from november 2007, ive been looking for that song for ages!
THANK YOU!
<3
THANKYOU SARAH! “little waltz” was driving me crazy… such catchy tune!
Thankyouu <3
thnx for the song sarah!! -- awesome huh?
Does anyone know the song in the volkswagen tiguan ad, currently showing in Australia?? I caught some of the lyrics, but i cant find it ANYWHERE! It’s driving me insane.
“Don’t be shocked, but I’ve been thinking, there’s osme things that we might do.”
Please Please thankyou thankyou, any help is greatly appreciated
Apparently the song in the Volkswagen Tiguan ad currently showing in Australia was written especially for the ad by the advertising agency, so I don’t think you can download it anywhere
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does anyone know who is the comedian who sings in the vw commercial where the neighbour cleans the vw owners car? the lyrics are…..come up to my room….
I think you’ll find the “Come Up To My Room” song is sung by English comedian Earl Okin.