Ford sues Nissan.

[Buntz]

http://blogs.forbes.com/joannmuller/...nis-and-bling/

Ford Motor is suing Nissan Motor in Brazil for airing an eye-popping TV commercial that accuses Ford of price-gouging (see video, below).

It’s noteworthy any time a carmaker directly challenges a competitor in its ads. But this particular commercial draws attention for entirely different reasons. In it, sexy bikini-clad women dance around, sipping champagne, while two rappers dressed as Ford engineers show off their gold rings and chains while boasting about all the money they make by overpricing the Ford Focus hatchback. In the background is a silver Focus.

The lyrics, translated from Portuguese, go something like this: “All the luxury that I got, I got it with your money. Don’t weep because you’re paying extra money — your money was well spent, look what I do with it.”

The commercial, a remarkably long one minute and 38 seconds that ends with a pitch for Nissan’s cheaper Tiida model, was withdrawn from national TV on March 3 after Ford obtained an injunction, according to Reuters. The lawsuit accuses Nissan’s Brazilian management of “improper brand uses” and “unfair competition.” Nobody from either company is commenting.

Ford does need to be careful, though. Even in North America, it has been trying to push up prices of its small cars like the Focus and Fiesta by loading them with premium features in a bid to offset lost profits from slower-selling SUVs. If its prices rise too much, it won’t take a hilarious sexy commercial for consumers to notice.

Video clip.

Personally I found it funny. Just imagining Ford Engineers all pimped out.. not exec's. But it's still claiming Ford is price gouging. So I hope Nissan get's put in it's place over this.

[Jim Goose]

Im sorry but I have to watch the add again... i missed a few bits

[XH-Fan119]

Funny S***
good on ford, what a disgraceful attempt at adveristing. looked like the pitbull guy at first, must admit though it was so hard not to laugh at how outragous it was. we need more adds like that here

[Polyal]

LOL..I can imagine why Ford was be annoyed. I hope they got the ok from Nissan global before letting that puppy lose..hehe

[SEZ213]

If I could understand that...I'm sure it would be funny...but it just looks kind of trashy. I don't know why Ford are wasting good money in suing them...unless of course it's proven to have caused a drop in sales...but I doubt it.

I guess we are in the days of suing now, rather than just creating a 'legal' commercial to whip them with...

[Yellow_Festiva]

That add was about cars??? Didn't see any to be honest.

[Franco Cozzo]

That was hilarious, I wouldn't care if I was in charge of Ford.

[Airmon]

Well thats why I got into Engineering.

You really think it takes 4 years to design a new car? :P

[stang65]

Are you kidding , they make Ford look like money grubbing pimps.
I hope they sue their pants off.

[In Focus]

I think I saw a lot more Focus than Tiida in the ad. Maybe that'll work subliminally: you'll get girls if you have a car like this.

What Ford could have countered with is an ad with a sad specimen, or a down and out, buying the "cheap" Nissan.

[XRtowcar]

Maybe Nissan haven't figured out why no one buys a Tiida.

[Franco Cozzo]

I have a Ford Focus in the same colour, I didn't get any hot women like that, I'm suing for false advertising!

[In Focus]

You're right. Red doesn't work either.

[HULK EF]

Lead the gangsta and ho life in a ford.. hehe...

[cheap]

Bogan Gansta Rappin' seem to alive and well in Brazil too <pity them>

[DJR-351]

Thanks for the link.....downloaded......

[Elks]

If they were really clever, they would do a parody of that add, drive a Ford and you will have money, respect women. Drive a Tiida - it's for cardigan wearers..

[mik]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Im sorry but I have to watch the add again... i missed a few bits

definatley worthy of a second look

[dave351cid]

i couldn`t understand a word they said but i think i will be digging out my passport and heading off to Brazil to start my new career as a ford engineer.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Elks

If they were really clever, they would do a parody of that add, drive a Ford and you will have money, respect women. Drive a Tiida - it's for cardigan wearers..

Maybe. But it's too late for that I think.

Originally Posted by Big Damo

That was hilarious, I wouldn't care if I was in charge of Ford.

This is one in a thousand or more reasons why you aren't in charge of Ford.

Originally Posted by stang65

Are you kidding , they make Ford look like money grubbing pimps.
I hope they sue their pants off.

So do I. Nissan aren't doing too well right now.... so there is no reason for them to be bitter when they make the inferior vehicle. It's not like Ford go and make an ad about how well Japan and France did during the second world war. They should just stick to getting celebrities like Kim Cattrall making the Tiida look like it's a girls sex and city adventure.

[Antwon]

Lol i found it funny. Honestly i dont see a problem with ads like this, but directing it at ford, using fords logo everywhere, and even showing a focus, is wrong. Im surprised they were even aloud to do that actually. So yeah i think Nissan deserves everything they get.

[Rodp]

All I saw was a Ford badge and dancing women. The message I got was buy a Ford and score all these women.

[SilentDave]

Seeya I'm off to buy a Focus.... Wasnt that what the ad was about?

[GS608]

I'm moving to mexico!

[SEZ213]

Originally Posted by 5.0

I'm moving to mexico!

Or even Brazil??

[Bossxr8]

Most men would be too focused on the hot brazillian women to even take note of what the lyrics say, and see nothing but the Focus in the background. More advertising for Ford than Nissan IMO.