STOCK TITAN

Volkswagen's 'An American Love Story' Ad Zooms Ahead With 394% Surge in Traffic on Cars.com During the Big Game

Rhea-AI Impact
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Neutral)
Tags
Rhea-AI Summary
Automotive giants Volkswagen, Kia, Toyota, and BMW experienced a substantial surge in consumer traffic on Cars.com following their prime-time commercials during the Big Game. Volkswagen led the pack with a 394% spike, followed by Kia, Toyota, and BMW with 265%, 223%, and 158% increases respectively. The event proved to be a lucrative opportunity for automakers to engage with a captivated audience, translating into significant traffic boosts on Cars.com.
Positive
  • None.
Negative
  • None.

The surge in consumer traffic reported by Cars.com for automotive brands that advertised during the Big Game presents a significant event for market research. The reported 235% average increase in traffic is a strong indicator of the effectiveness of advertising in high-profile events. This spike, particularly the 394% increase for Volkswagen, suggests a successful marketing strategy that has translated into increased consumer interest.

From a market research perspective, the data implies that the featured brands have not only captured attention but also spurred action, as evidenced by the immediate response in online activity. This could potentially lead to an uptick in leads, dealership inquiries and ultimately, sales. The focus on electric vehicles and pickup trucks aligns with current market trends towards sustainability and utility, which could further enhance the long-term brand positioning of these companies.

For stakeholders, such as investors and dealers, this information is valuable. It suggests that these automakers' investments in advertising may yield a positive return on investment through heightened brand awareness and consumer engagement. However, the long-term impact on sales and market share will require further analysis of conversion rates and sustained interest beyond the initial ad-driven traffic surge.

The immediate reaction to the automotive advertisements during the Big Game, notably the 394% spike for Volkswagen, could have implications for the stock performance of the involved companies. A significant increase in consumer interest often precedes an uptick in sales, which can positively influence a company's financial outlook and, consequently, investor sentiment.

Moreover, the focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and pickup trucks by these advertisers is in line with consumer trends and regulatory pushes towards cleaner energy. This suggests that these companies are not only capitalizing on current consumer demand but are also positioning themselves strategically for future growth in the EV market. Investors should monitor the conversion of this initial interest into sustained demand and actual sales, as this will be a more robust indicator of the advertising's long-term financial impact.

It is also important to note that while advertising can create short-term stock volatility due to speculative trading, the fundamental value of the company is more closely tied to its financial health and market position. Thus, while the traffic spike is promising, it should be weighed against other financial metrics and industry benchmarks for a comprehensive analysis.

The reported traffic spikes on Cars.com for automotive brands following the Big Game advertisements highlight the significance of strategic marketing in the automotive industry. The emphasis on electric vehicles and pickup trucks by Volkswagen, Kia, Toyota and BMW reflects a broader industry shift towards these segments, which are expected to see significant growth.

Electric vehicles, being at the forefront of this shift, represent a key area of competition among automakers. The reported traffic increases suggest that these brands have successfully leveraged one of the biggest advertising stages to showcase their EV offerings, potentially enhancing their competitive positioning in this segment.

For industry stakeholders, such as manufacturers and suppliers, the data suggests a growing consumer interest that could translate into increased demand for EV components and technologies. The short-term traffic spikes can inform production and inventory strategies, while the long-term implications may include shifts in product development and investment priorities to align with consumer trends revealed by such advertising outcomes.

Automotive Advertisers Volkswagen, Kia, Toyota and BMW See an Average Traffic Spike of 235% on Cars.com During Last Night's Big Game

CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automakers that bet big on prime-time advertising were among the winners of last night's nail-biting Big Game with significant spikes in consumer traffic to their pages on car-shopping marketplace Cars.com® (NYSE: CARS). Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW made waves with prime-time commercials highlighting electric vehicles and pickup trucks — but Volkswagen won the competition with a sizable 394% spike in traffic on Cars.com following the airing of its ad, "An American Love Story."

Even though Volkswagen's ad saw the biggest spike in traffic on Cars.com, each brand that debuted a product during the game saw a triple-digit bump in traffic on the marketplace.

Brand and Commercial

Brand Lift on Cars.com

Volkswagen "An American Love Story"

394 %

Kia "Perfect 10"

265 %

Toyota "Dareful Handle"

223 %

BMW "Talkin Like Walken"

158 %

"The biggest sports event of the year is a huge opportunity for brands to capture the attention — and spur action — from an engaged viewing audience. At Cars.com, the results are tangible," said Jennifer Vianello, Cars.com's chief marketing officer. "We've regularly seen automakers receive double-, even triple-digit traffic bumps on Cars.com after their ad airs during the game — and this year was no different. Consumers are looking for a trusted and unbiased destination to shop and research what they saw during the game, and Cars.com offers that."

While each automaker that aired an ad saw traffic increases to its overall brand pages on Cars.com, the specific vehicle models featured in each commercial also saw large spikes in traffic, showing consumers were sprinting to Cars.com to learn more about those rides:

  • Kia's all-new EV9, an electric three-row SUV, saw a 2,497% boost in traffic after its ad aired. Cars.com recently reviewed the EV9, and with high praise.

  • Used Volkswagen Microbuses and Beetles, which were prominently highlighted during Volkswagen's evolutionary ad, saw a 4,020% and 1,307% lift in traffic, respectively, after airing. The ID. Buzz is coming to dealer lots in 2024, and it will be interesting to see if it makes an appearance in next year's Big Game.

  • Toyota's New Tacoma pickup truck, the focus of Toyota's ad, received a 1,223% increase in traffic after airing.

  • BMW's New 5 Series cars saw a 1,008% lift in traffic after the humorous, celebrity-driven ad hit screens. While the i5 Series is still new to the marketplace, it also saw a bump in traffic.

Methodology

Cars.com analyzed site traffic patterns for advertised car model pages during the eight minutes before each spot aired and again eight minutes after.

For more reviews, car-buying advice and tips, visit Cars.com/News.

Cars.com internal data

ABOUT CARS.COM® 
Cars.com is the No. 1 most recognized automotive marketplace visited by nearly 30 million in-market consumers each month. Launched in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Cars.com empowers consumers with data, content and digital tools driven by AI technology to make informed car buying and selling decisions and seamlessly connect with thousands of local dealerships nationwide. Cars.com is the flagship offering from Cars.com Inc. (d/b/a Cars Commerce), an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volkswagens-an-american-love-story-ad-zooms-ahead-with-394-surge-in-traffic-on-carscom-during-the-big-game-302059792.html

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.

FAQ

What was the average traffic spike on Cars.com for Volkswagen following the airing of its ad during the Big Game?

Volkswagen experienced a substantial 394% increase in traffic on Cars.com after the broadcast of its ad 'An American Love Story' during the Big Game.

Which automaker saw the highest traffic spike on Cars.com during the Big Game?

Volkswagen led the pack with the highest traffic spike of 394% on Cars.com after airing its ad during the Big Game.

What was the percentage increase in traffic on Cars.com for Kia after the airing of its commercial during the Big Game?

Kia witnessed a significant 265% surge in traffic on Cars.com post the broadcast of its commercial 'Perfect 10' during the Big Game.

How did Toyota's traffic on Cars.com change after the airing of its ad during the Big Game?

Toyota experienced a notable 223% increase in traffic on Cars.com following the broadcast of its ad 'Dareful Handle' during the Big Game.

What was the traffic increase for BMW on Cars.com after the Big Game?

BMW saw a 158% rise in traffic on Cars.com after airing its commercial 'Talkin Like Walken' during the Big Game.

What did Jennifer Vianello, Cars.com's chief marketing officer, mention about the impact of prime-time advertising during the Big Game?

Jennifer Vianello highlighted that prime-time advertising during the Big Game presents a significant opportunity for brands to engage with a captivated audience, leading to substantial traffic increases on Cars.com.

Cars.com Inc.

NYSE:CARS

CARS Rankings

CARS Latest News

CARS Stock Data

1.15B
56.33M
8.9%
90.88%
2.47%
Software Publishers
Information
Link
United States of America
CHICAGO

About CARS

cars.com is a leading automotive digital marketing company offering advertisers the opportunity to reach more than 18 million in-market car shoppers each month. through data-driven insights we move the industry forward, helping local and national partners align with modern car shopping behavior. advertiser customers gain access to a variety of innovative online and mobile marketing solutions that help them connect with and influence consumers everywhere they are shopping.