http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090222105618AA1mUs5

Of course, if you’re going to buy a car, buy the cleanest car you can. That reduces real impacts on people. I expect Audi to pitch it’s stuff, and I expect Damien Newton to poke holes in their “green” image when they do. Everybody has his/her role to play :)

People are getting athsma and dying prematurely out there because of air pollution and traffic impacts, which, by the way, is a HUGE environmental justice issue. So this is funny and serious at the same time.

It’s a humorous ad which tries to sell by entertaining people.

I think the comparison with mcdonalds mentioning subway when talking about their healthy menu is a good one.

Audi is a car company, they sell cars. Here, they’re trying to sell a more environmentally friendly car. Why is this a problem?

Streetsblog should focus on real issues, and not be hypersensitive about a freaking super bowl commercial. Bitching about something like this brings the whole site down a notch, because it makes the reader question of the other posts are also being hypersensetive.

1. Do we really expect a car company to promote bicycle riding? (Seriously Damien N?)
2. The “green wash” part of the ad is supposed to be ironic… it’s poking fun at the people who buy hybrid cars (and do other “green” things) for image. I thought that was plenty obvious in the tone of the ad.
3. Audi A3 TDI is probably a lot better choice of car when it comes to the environment than what most Americans buy… Are you disputing that point?
4. Super Bowl ads aim to entertain as much as to sell. After reading this blog entry, I’m expecting Streetblog to write about how consumption of beer is harmful to the environment because it does not promote bicycle riding…
5. And to the proletariat commenters… you can buy the identical VW Golf TDI starting at just over $20k if the Audi name is too bourgeois for you… sheesh!

This has been the most off-point and ill-informed post on Streetblog

Isn’t the real objection here that the vehicle won Green Car of the Year???

And expecting an auto company to highlight public transit, cycling or walking? C’mon guys. That’s like expect Mickey D’s to do an ad about their new healthy choice menu, while mentioning Subway.

I just saw a presentation which makes the point that this is often about framing. Although not everyone identifies with the label “environmentalist”, everybody wants to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have an economy that can be sustained over time. If Americans aren’t environmentalists, it’s mainly because they haven’t made the connections between their well being and the well being of the environment yet.

And as far as the global warming deniers, remember that a ballot measure to repeal AB 32 is going to be on the ballot in November – there is enough money from the usual suspects to gather enough petitions. And quite honestly, I would sign it (as I do virtually all petitions when presented – it’s three minutes to help someone out, and costs me nothing). With the recent cold spell, and the allegedly incriminating email controversy, there are serious doubts about the reality of global climate change. Al Gore’s movie doesn’t help when it mentions that temperatures are getting hotter, or colder – it’s irrelevant, since GCC increases VOLATILITY, much more damaging than net temperature increase, which unfortunately only stock market traders and gamblers seem to understand. Yes, Rush Limbaugh loved the ad because it “exposed” the agenda of the “watermelons”. But even Gavin Newsom Twittered that the “compost police” hit too close to home.

Drew, honestly, I don’t think the average American cares about being green. They might do a few green things, like sorting trash, to feel good, but they are still going to drive to work every day, fly in airplanes, and take long showers. Therefore, I’m inclined to let the natural scarcity of resources do its thing.

Look, I get that it’s supposed to be funny, and I did laugh at some of it; but they’re message that their car is some super green machine, especially when considered with their previous ads, is just laughable. Sure, they’re better than an H3, but they’re hardly some sort of magic car that runs on puppy dog tails and good intentions.

As for Cheap Trick, that was a cheap shot on my part, but honestly, I can’t think of anything else they ever wrote.

And I figured out that the animal being used at the roadblock is an Ant Eater.

PM 2.5 kills people. silly commercials do not. end of story.

Didn’t we have an “L.A 2.0″ (with GOOD magazine) event a few months ago that did that exact same thing?

Keep the government out of my medicare, social security, highway construction loans, auto company bailouts, auto and home loans! The market is taking care of these things fine by itself without the government getting in there with their gestapo police tactics.

If we really wanted to be green, we would convert the bulk of our personal cars to all electric and (of course) replace as many trips as possible with biking, metro, or walking.

B)This is the company that gave Europe the two-stroke engine that was later used in the Trabant and the Wartburg; the environmental damage that AUDI has caused since its founding in 1909 would make their “Green Police” resign.

C)It was meant as a JOKE!! (But look at all the free publicity it is getting! PRICELESS!!)

That’s enough money to buy 120 bicycles at $250 each, or about 40 years of Metro’s monthly transit passes at the current rate of $62/month. I’m sure you could buy a lot of comfortable walking shoes too . . .

It’s almost as bad as things being 2.0.

This would be hilarious if it wasn’t true, but soon someone will start pitching ideas as “Green 2.0″