Dodge Brand, Sony Pictures Consumer Products and 2006 ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ Come Together Again for the ‘Life Lessons’ Commercial

The scene is set in Talladega in 1982 featuring Gary Cole as Reese Bobby with his son Ricky Bobby and his pal Cal Naughton Jr. in a Dodge Durango R/T Blacktop Tow N Go (Granite with Dual Carbon Stripes) while going to school. You also see the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Widebody (Sinamon Stick) and the 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody (White Knuckle with Satin Black hood).

Reese tosses words of wisdom and semi-legal fireworks towards the boys, including “Life takes 50% bravery and 60% stupidity;” “Take it from your daddy. Just because you grow up, doesn’t mean you need to give up” and “The most powerful force in the universe is love. Ha, ha, ha, no, it’s not! It’s hot, nasty, badass speed!”

“Given the incredible response to the ‘Family Motto’ campaign from the Dodge brand last year, we wanted to follow it up with the all-new ‘Life Lessons’ campaign,” said Olivier Francois, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Stellantis. “As with our first spot, we wanted ‘Life Lessons’ to stay authentic to both the Dodge brand and to the original film. We were able to accomplish this endeavour with Sony Pictures as it marks the 15th anniversary of the original film, in addition to an amazing roster of creative allies, including Sony Music and AC/DC, Applebee’s, Wonder Bread, Old Spice and Mountain Dew.”

“One of the ‘Life Lessons’ for those of us at Dodge is always striving to give enthusiasts what they ask for, so in addition to giving them more from ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,’ last year we launched three 700-plus-horsepower muscle cars with the new Challenger SRT Super Stock, Durango SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer, Stellantis. “Together, these vehicles comprise Dodge, the automotive industry’s most powerful brand. Lesson learned.”

The Dodge brand’s “Life Lessons” and “Family Motto” released in October 2020 were created in partnership with GSD&M.

 

Dodge//SRT

The Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of the 2 brothers namely, John and Horace Dodge for more than 100 years. Up to the present, their influence keeps on as Dodge transforms into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unparalleled performance in every segment they compete.

2021 is the year where Dodge is refined into a pure performance brand, offering Hellcat-powered, 700-plus-horsepower SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2021 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the new 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the new 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful SUV ever. Combined these three muscle cars, Dodge makes the industry’s most powerful brand that offers more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.

In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Dodge brand also ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market). These results are historic because it marks the first time a domestic brand has earned top spots in both J.D. Power studies in the same year.

Check out our Dodge webpage to know more.

Sources:

Stellantis

YouTube / Dodge

Silver Stars on Silver Screens

Mercedes-Benz is a luxury brand that filmmakers love to use as props that can easily recognize the socioeconomic status of a character. The presence of the silver star now goes beyond the mindset of the viewers of displaying one’s wealth but emphasizing the aspects of the brand’s reputation that they may not be aware of.

Below are some of the most memorable movies of all time featuring Mercedes-Benz vehicles:

 

1. A Good Day To Die Hard (2013)

source: YouTube / 20th Century Studios UK

Vehicles: Mercedes-Benz Unimog, G-Class, and Sprinter

In this scene, Bruce Willis tries to hunt down his son. He steals a G55 in the streets of Moscow and then drives through almost anything that gets in his way. Some Porsches were crunched on a car carrier when Willis used it as the bridge from the overpass to the expressway. There’s also a bunch of Unimog and Sprinter in action too.

 

2. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

source: YouTube / Captain Darrow

Vehicle: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Nicolas Cage escapes an international network in the streets of London while being chased by a Range Rover and a black cab.

3. Ronin (1998)

source: YouTube / Movieclips

Vehicle: 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9

From Frankenheimer’s personal collection, Jean Reno is driving a 450 SEL 6.9 in the narrow French country roads chasing the Citroens gang while Robert De Niro fires a rocket launcher from the German muscle machine’s massive sunroof.

4. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

source: YouTube / Movieclips

Vehicle: 1997 Mercedes-Benz M-Classes

Driving through a dinosaur world was what Mercedes-Benz executives dreamed of. In the movie, Mercedes-Benz has a different series for the M-Class model, namely Santana, Fontana and Montana.

Deep Dive: Dominc Toretto’s Dodge Charger from the Fast and the Furious

“The Fast and the Furious” may have been built around tuner cars, but a muscle car stole the show in the 2001 hit movie’s final minutes. The Dodge Charger became one of the most iconic cars in the franchise, with Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto driving some form of Charger in almost every subsequent movie. Craig Lieberman, technical advisor for “The Fast and the Furious” has the full story on that original Charger.

Four or five cars were used in filming, according to Lieberman. Most were 1970 models, but at least one car was a 1969 Charger, he said. As is often the case in movies, different cars are modified for specific stunts or shots.

The massive supercharged engine seen when Toretto first reveals the Charger was borrowed from a Midwest engine builder and only used for one closeup shot, according to Lieberman. The alcohol-injected engine was based on a 1950s-era 392 Hemi V-8, but was bored and stroked to 445 cubic inches.

 

Drag race scene from ‘The Fast and the Furious”

 

However, that engine was only for show. The cars did use Mopar engines, but they were either 383 or 440 V-8s, Lieberman said, noting that there is still some confusion over which engines were used. The sounds used in the movie are from a naturally aspirated Hemi. The lack of supercharger whine is a giveaway.

The superchargers seen on the cars in the rest of the movie are fake too, as is the wheelie Toretto pulls in the final drag race. The car was lifted up using nitrogen tanks, and smoke was added to make things more dramatic. At the end of the race the Charger was flipped using a hidden ramp.

At least two of the cars survived intact, according to Lieberman. One is owned by Universal Pictures and another is in a private collection in Italy. A wrecked stunt car also appeared at a Mecum auction in 2015. As for future films, a second-generation Charger can be glimpsed in the trailer for “Fast and Furious 9” whose release has been delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jeep Iconic Film/TV Series Cameo Over the Years

Right now, you’re probably spending a lot of time sitting on your couch binge-watching movies and series to keep you sane over the quarantine. And since it restricts us from doing outdoorsy stuff, why don’t we take you on an adventure with movies where Jeep vehicles made cameos.

Jurassic Park (1993)

source: YouTube / Land Before Time 75

First on the list is Jurassic Park. This may be the most iconic Jeep in any film. Getting chased by a T-Rex might be a heartbeat-skipping moment, but how awesome it is that a Jeep Wrangler was able to outrun it? Much more exciting than Dr. Ian Malcolm’s shirtless moment.

The Walking Dead (2010-2020)

Walking dead

source: driving.ca

Following a classic film is a classic TV-series in the making. This zombie-thriller has a 1979 Jeep Cherokee SJ. If you haven’t watched “The Walking Dead” yet, then you’re in for a treat. Just like how people have been in this unending Zombie Apocalypse that you just can’t look away from, no matter how gruesome. It’s oddly satisfying.

The Goonies (1985)

source: YouTube / Screen Themes

Next on this list is “The Goonies.” It’s a classic movie that the entire family can enjoy together! If you like feel-good movie with some amazing booby traps in the middle then, you’ll love this. Don’t forget to watch out for the 1984 Jeep Wrangler.

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

source: YouTube / Ralph Benson

If you’re looking for a light-hearted escape, Gilmore Girls might be your show. It’s quip, witty dialogue will keep you on your toes, and the characters will draw you in like flies to honey. This show is comfort food, so it’s just what you need if you’re isolated from your friends. You can’t miss the Jeep, either. Lorelai drives a 2000 Wrangler!

Clueless (1995)

source: YouTube / Brian Johns

Following Gilmore Girls is a nineties teen romance that is a wacky blast from the past! You probably remember the “loqued out” 1994 Jeep Wrangler her dad got her. It’s too bad she failed miserably on her driving test. But hey, at least she got Paul Rudd to teach her how to drive, right?

Back to the Future (1985)

source: YouTube / 0Emma0

Last on our list is the Johnny B. Goode of Chuck Berry’s songs because it will lift your spirits up every time you watch it. In the opening scene, Marty McFly grabs the back of the Jeep CJ-7 to hitch a ride using his skateboard! If your kids still haven’t seen this movie, now is the perfect time to show it to them!

Are you ready to get a Jeep of your own? Drop by our showroom at Jeep Greenhills, 1008 EDSA, Greenhills, San Juan or visit www.catsmotors.com.ph/cdjr/ and check out which Jeep fits you.