Chevrolet's apocalypse-themed '2012' ad (GM)
DETROIT (Detroit Free Press) -- General Motors stands by its Super Bowl ad that plays on the apocalyptic end of the world according to the Mayan calendar that stakes survival on driving a Chevrolet Silverado.
The ad is scheduled to run in the first quarter of the Super Bowl. It is one of five Chevy spots to run Sunday.
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GM released a statement today saying Chevrolet was asked by Ford on Saturday night to stop airing the ad that suggests the owner of a Ford F-150 pickup did not make it to the meeting point.
GM points out the "2012" ad is an over-the-top spoof with "the devastation and destruction predicted to occur this year by the Mayan calendar includes giant attack robots, meteors and frogs falling from the sky."
"We stand by our claims in the commercial, that the Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road. The ad is a fun way of putting this claim in the context of the apocalypse," said GM Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick.
"We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize. In the meantime, people who are really worried about the Mayan calendar coming true should buy a Silverado right away," Ewanick said.
Ford did not have an immediate comment.
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