As wanderers, especially those who like to hit the road every chance they get, we’ve been eyeing auto brands like a kid at a candy store. While cruising down the highway might not be plausible right now, we’ve satiated our cravings by watching auto brands whip out amazing ad campaigns, all in the interest of humanity. Here are some of the best ad campaigns by auto brands that every road tripper should be watching in lockdown! By Bayar Jain
1. Toyota
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The Japanese are known for their advanced technology, but Japanese automobile brand Toyota decided to stray the other way by bringing in simplicity into their ad campaigns. A series of images on their Instagram account features their cars following quarantine safety guidelines such as staying home and washing hands. Our favourite, however, is that of a Toyota ambulance thanking healthcare professionals for their tireless efforts so us road-tripping lovers can head out again.
2. Maruti Suzuki India Limited
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For Maruti Suzuki India Limited, it’s the road ahead that matters as they #GearUpForTomorrow. In a series of posts on their official social media handles, the Indian automobile brand has put up audio-visuals urging everyone to practice social distancing. Aware of the urge to travel once the pandemic subsides, the company has even shared various maintenance tips for car-enthusiasts to follow during the lockdown.
3. Volkswagen
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In a tongue-in-cheek avatar, the German automaker altered its logo for a one-off moment to highlight the importance of social distancing in times of coronavirus. For this spin, the brand ‘distanced’ the dip in the logo’s ‘V’ and the height of the ‘W’ to create a gap. Ingenious, much like their cars themselves!
4. Mercedes Benz India
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As long-drive lovers, nothing is worse than being stuck at home. For Mercedes Benz India, however, this became a chance to kickstart a new campaign called #MercFromHome. With this series, the automobile brand has tried bringing the thrill of the road indoors by drawing parallels to life on the road, or by giving their customers a chance to understand their cars better.
5. Audi India
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Audi India, too, has tweaked its logo temporarily to ascertain the need of the hour – social distancing. For this, the iconic four rings of the logo – which are ordinarily interlocked – have been separated and untangled. Moreover, the company has even introduced a #FourRingsChallenge wherein readers, and automobile enthusiasts are encouraged to recreate the logo using everyday objects around the house. They have even released a video giving tips on how to maintain an Audi car during the lockdown so one can cruise the roads again once the pandemic subsides.
6. Jaguar India
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The British multinational automobile manufacturers have released a series of images wherein their cars help reassert basic precautions that one should be taking right now to #flattenthecurve. Whether it’s pictures of parked Jaguars to drive the message of staying home or remotely monitoring the battery percentage of the cars – a depiction of working from home – the company has taken simple yet effective means to remind people to be safe.
7. Lexus India
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Apart from posting images depicting social distancing, the luxury vehicle company has even tried instilling positivity among people by using #InThisTogether and #WeCanWeWill. This campaign offers a mix of images and videos, each of which reassert the fact that there are better times ahead, and that one needs to power through these tough times as a collective society.
Related: 7 Essential (Including Travel) Apps To Keep You Company During Self-Quarantine
