Editor’s Note: As for this year’s Super Bowl ads, all I can say is, wow, what a dismal affair that was. It was so dismal that Peter dispensed with writing his traditional post-Super Bowl column about the automotive advertising that showed up on the game, because he didn't find the marketing efforts to be worthy. Where have all the BIG IDEAS gone? Let’s review – very briefly. Kia showed up at the Big Game with “Binky Dad” – featuring its wildly popular Telluride SUV and a frantic dad who has to race back home (in a series of outlandish heroic vehicle escapades) from the family’s vacation spot when the mom discovers they’ve left the baby’s binky (pacifier) behind. He arrives back at the hotel only to discover that the baby’s favorite binky is blue, and of course he brought the green one. Alrighty then! This was mildly entertaining, but that’s it. Oh, well, at least it was the highest-scoring automotive ad on the USA Today Ad Meter. Next up, General Motors and Netflix with “EVs on Screen.” Here we have Will Ferrell (whom we really like) showing up in a variety of scenes to make the point that GM is teaming up with the streaming giant to include its EVs in movies and shows. This was just okay – it definitely wasn’t Super Bowl worthy (hey, product placement - there’s a fresh new idea). And I’m not sure it does much to advance the EV message or generate awareness. Oh well. Jeep came to the party with “Electric Boogie” to showcase the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. It features an all-new version of the iconic song Electric Boogie, which was first recorded in 1983. Various species from the animal kingdom are seen dancing as the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee travel through the wilderness. “Freedom is electrifying” as the tagline says. Yes, yes, it is, but this ad? Not so much. The second effort from Stellantis and its global chief marketing officer, Olivier “I’m a genius, just ask me” Francois, is “Premature Electrification” for RAM. This spot spoofs erectile dysfunction ads to draw parallels with EV performance (“lacking the confidence about getting and keeping a charge,” etc.). Francois says the main message is that Ram’s electric pickup may not be the first to the market, but it’s going to be worth waiting for compared to the current offerings. That message was WAY OVERSHADOWED by all the ‘fun’ playing off ED to hit EVs – all that’s left is basically a reinforcement of all of the erroneous beliefs out there about EVs and their ability to perform. I can’t go on. Really. But just a quick veer off-topic for a few dishonorable mentions in the non-automotive category. Michelob Ultra “New Members Day” (homage to Caddy Shack), M&M’s “M&M’s Super Bowl 2023” (part of a publicity stunt M&M’s started in January about retiring its spokescandies, but really just an incredible waste of Maya Rudolph that left us saying, WTF?), Downy “Call me Downy McBride” (another waste, this time of a very funny Danny McBride). Can’t comment anymore. Too awful. Must. Stop. Olivier Francois insists that people want comedic relief right now. I just want relief from this barrage of lackluster and decidedly mediocre Super Bowl advertising. It was really a DOWNER. -WG  Editor-in-Chief's Note: I concur with everything WG said, plus the fact that the imaginative "high-concept" spots were missing in action, making the marketing part of the big game a crushing bore and a huge disappointment. And Olivier "I'm a genius, just ask me" Francois flat-out dropped the ball this go-around. The only word that comes to mind is underwhelming. I will add one more thing. The halftime show with Rihanna was a giant yawn. The pre-game hype for this "event" was inescapable. It was going to be huge! It was going to be great! It was going to be... Rihanna! But instead, it was beyond tedious. Just "seeing" Rihanna after her four-year layoff didn't constitute an "event," even though the social media hordes couldn't stop gushing about it. Pathetic. In the pantheon of great Super Bowl halftime shows - Prince, U2, etc. - Rihanna didn't even register. In fact, it was just plain B-A-D. -PMD

(Lamborghini)
Sixty years ago, in an area that at the time was open countryside, construction of the Automobili Lamborghini factory began. The company was established on May 6, 1963, realizing Ferruccio Lamborghini’s dream of becoming a manufacturer of sports cars, an industry dominated by just a few brands back then. Right from the start, the founder and his very young engineers showed a passion for innovation and a desire to disrupt the dogmas of the sports car world, which were truly groundbreaking and led to a radical revolution. These values, which still form the cornerstone of the company today, would lead to the birth of legendary cars such as the Miura, a car that coined the term “supercar” and that has since inspired the entire automotive industry with its spirit and its styling. The 60th anniversary celebrations began on January 19 with the opening of the remodeled Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese, located in the original factory areas. The museum was renovated and rearranged specially for the celebrations with an exhibition entitled The Future Began In 1963.

(Bugatti images)
This is the Bugatti W16 Mistral photographed on the twisting roads in the foothills above the Côte d’Azur. Mistral is a unique southern France airstream, "matching the W16 Mistral’s characteristics in perfect harmony," according to Bugatti PR minions. In case you were wondering, all 99 examples of the W16 Mistral were sold immediately. Configurations will begin this year. That is all.

(MINI)
To better understand consumer insights around manual transmissions, MINI USA recently conducted a consumer survey to find out just how people feel about manual transmissions today. Commissioned by Engine’s CARAVAN®, the survey found a few indicators that were both surprising and optimistic, and show manual driving still has an opportunity to shine. An impressive 63% of all respondents agree that learning how to drive a manual transmission is a rite of passage and an important life skill. Additionally, “fun to drive” was the top characteristic respondents most associated with a manual transmission vehicle. Despite this, however, less than a quarter (24%) of all respondents indicated they own a manual-equipped car. Regarding consumers’ knowledge of how to drive a manual, nearly half of all Gen Z (49%) and 42% of all women indicated they did not know how to drive a car with a manual transmission. When asked if they were willing to learn, more than half of all respondents (53%) indicated they are interested in learning.  Impressively, two thirds (67%) of younger respondents aged 18-34 were most eager to learn to drive a manual transmission car. These results show a clear opportunity to impart the fun and engaging element of driving a manual to current and upcoming generations of drivers. Editor-in-Chief's Note: What does it all mean? Not much. New drivers, and enthusiast parents/mentors who want to teach new drivers how to drive a manual-shift car/truck, have to seek out vehicles - usually used - in order to impart that life knowledge. It's clear that competent operation of a manual gearbox for most people has become a lost art, and it will only get worse as we progress into the EV Age. I, along with plenty of other enthusiasts, believe being able to work a manual gearbox is still a skill worth knowing and preserving. I hope it continues for decades to come. -PMD  

(Buick images)
Buick has unveiled the refreshed 2024 Encore GX, the first vehicle in North America to adopt the brand’s new "tri-shield" logo, as well as the first to present the new "face" of Buick. The front fascia design was first seen on the Buick Wildcat EV concept. New, signature winged LED headlamps are part of the new design, and new 18-inch and 19-inch wheel options will be available. The updated Encore GX will also offer the Avenir trim for the first time. In addition, the reimagined Sport Touring (ST) trim will now be an option for Encore GX buyers. The updated Encore GX interior is centered around Buick’s Virtual Cockpit System (VCS), the first Buick to adopt this technology. VCS features 19 diagonal inches of high-definition screens under one sheet of glass, comprising an 11-inch diagonal infotainment system — the largest infotainment screen in its segment — and a configurable 8-inch diagonal driver cluster screen, both angled toward the driver. Buick’s more luxurious Avenir trim will be available for the first time on the Encore GX. Standard power on the 2024 Encore GX comes from a 1.2L turbocharged engine with 137HP and 162 lb-ft of torque. An optional 1.3L turbocharged engine is also available with 155HP and 174 lb-ft of torque. AWD is available across all trims, with those models equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD models come standard with a CVT. How much? The Encore GX Preferred trim starts at $26,895, with the Sport Touring starting at $28,095. The Avenir will start at $33,195. Customers will be able to build and order a new Encore GX on Buick.com starting in May 2023.

The AE Song of the Week:

And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say 
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today 
And then if you can remember

Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Well you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you
And then for the times when we're apart
Well then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember

Oh, keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for

Oh, keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for

Oh, keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
'Cause I tell youl, that's what friends are for
Oh, good times and for bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for (that's what friends are for, ya)
On me for sure (count on me for sure, count on me for sure)
That's what friends are for

"That's What Friends Are For" performed by Dionne Warwick & Friends, from the album "That's What Friends Are For" (1985)*. Written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video (with many All-Stars!) here.

*Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager wrote this for the 1982 movie Night Shift, where it was recorded by Rod Stewart and played over the closing credits. This version was not released as a single, but the songwriters thought it had lots of commercial potential and had "Dionne & Friends" record it in 1985. The song hit the top spot on January 18, 1986 and stayed there for four weeks - the only other song that lasted as long at the top that year was "Walk Like An Egyptian" by the Bangles. Bacharach and Bayer Sager, who were married in 1982, wrote another 1986 chart-topper together: "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald. That one stayed at the top for three weeks. "Dionne & Friends" was Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight. They recorded this song as a single to raise money for the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AmFAR). AIDS was a widely misunderstood disease in 1985, and this recording helped draw attention to the cause and educated people about the disease. Proceeds from the song raised over $500,000 for AmFAR. The Dionne & Friends version won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by A Duo Or Group With Vocal and Song Of The Year. Surprisingly, the Performance award was Elton John's first Grammy - somehow none of his previous material was deemed worthy. Warwick was one of the first artists to reach out to the AIDS community by recording this song. She explained: "It was kind of given to the problem itself to raise funds and awareness. Those who felt they didn't want to be involved with it - to be seen giving money or being heard talking about the crisis - that song was an avenue to reach out without any stigma." Warwick was also asked how this song has endured in other arenas outside of the AIDS connection. The singer replied: "I've gotten into wonderful conversations regarding the song being used for graduations, weddings, births, somebody's birthday, or just friendship in general. You know, in all of those instances, they get it." The four vocalists on this song each recorded their parts separately. Bayer Sager, who produced the song with Bacharach, said that putting it together was like doing a jigsaw puzzle. The singers did all come together for the music video. "It was a very emotional evening in which a lot of tears were shed," Bayer Sager said. "Dionne & Friends" was originally just Dionne. She recorded a string of hits written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the '60s before an acrimonious parting with the songwriters. She finally reunited with Bacharach to record the theme song to a short-lived 1984 TV series called Finder of Lost Loves. Bayer Sager suggested that Warwick record "That's What Friends Are For," but when Dionne heard it, she envisioned it as a duet with Stevie Wonder. Dionne put down her tracks, and when Wonder arrived to do his part, Elizabeth Taylor and Neil Simon dropped by. Knowing of Taylor's commitment to AIDS research, Bayer Sager suggested they made the song a charity effort, and all agreed it was a great idea. They decided to add another singer to the mix, so Gladys Knight was invited. The last piece of the puzzle was Elton John, who was suggested by Clive Davis, head of Arista Records (which released the single). (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com.) Burt Freeman Bacharach was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. He composed hundreds of pop songs from the late 1950s onwards, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. Mr. Bacharach passed away last week (February 8) at the age of 94. Watch an archived interview with Mr. Bacharach from "60 Minutes" here.