What started life as an animated series became an animated feature film in 1986, but Transformers truly hit the big time with the release of the 2007 movie version that combined computer animation and real live action.
With Steven Spielberg as executive producer and a whole host of famous names attached, this film took special effects to an entirely new level.
The timing couldn’t have been better for GM: a brand new movie featuring vehicles that turned themselves into robots, or Autobots that turn themselves into fighting machines if you want to be precise, just when the company planned to reintroduce the Camaro after a seven-year hiatus. Add to that the fact that Bumblebee was cast as the lovable hero, and it’s no wonder GM was jumping for joy.
This was a movie for the whole family. There were tear-jerker parts, high action explosive scenes, and enough automotive metal to make any gearhead sit up and take notice. The Chevy Camaro impressed in its starring role, and what a way to launch a new vehicle!
Of course, if truth be told, Bumblebee started out life as a humble Volkswagen Beetle and since then, has gone through a number of quite radical transformations. He’s been an old Beetle, a New Beetle, a Nissan Skyline lookalike, a Chrysler ME Four-Twelve wannabe (or perhaps that should read Wanna-Bee), and at least two Chevy Camaros!
With the hype surrounding the film’s release, General Motors went into overdrive and used the movie extensively to promote its new product. In fact, the company even went so far as to announce a special edition of the Camaro in honour of the endearing Autobot Bumblebee. With its bright yellow paintwork and contrasting interior, the vehicle certainly stands out in the crowd and it’s sure to become a collectable.
Of course, speaking of collectables, the toy industry went into hyper-drive production just as quickly as the car company did, and I don’t imagine that did any harm to Camaro sales either.
It was a win-win for everyone. You saw a new Camaro out on the street and you thought of the film. You took your kids to the movie and you fell in love with GM’s new product, and I’m sure more than one or two of those youngsters will someday end up behind the wheel of one.
You could view at this as pure marketing genius, but I applaud anything that brings enthusiasm back to the car industry. Well done, Transformers, and well done, GM!
With Steven Spielberg as executive producer and a whole host of famous names attached, this film took special effects to an entirely new level.
The timing couldn’t have been better for GM: a brand new movie featuring vehicles that turned themselves into robots, or Autobots that turn themselves into fighting machines if you want to be precise, just when the company planned to reintroduce the Camaro after a seven-year hiatus. Add to that the fact that Bumblebee was cast as the lovable hero, and it’s no wonder GM was jumping for joy.
This was a movie for the whole family. There were tear-jerker parts, high action explosive scenes, and enough automotive metal to make any gearhead sit up and take notice. The Chevy Camaro impressed in its starring role, and what a way to launch a new vehicle!
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| Photo: General Motors |
Of course, if truth be told, Bumblebee started out life as a humble Volkswagen Beetle and since then, has gone through a number of quite radical transformations. He’s been an old Beetle, a New Beetle, a Nissan Skyline lookalike, a Chrysler ME Four-Twelve wannabe (or perhaps that should read Wanna-Bee), and at least two Chevy Camaros!
With the hype surrounding the film’s release, General Motors went into overdrive and used the movie extensively to promote its new product. In fact, the company even went so far as to announce a special edition of the Camaro in honour of the endearing Autobot Bumblebee. With its bright yellow paintwork and contrasting interior, the vehicle certainly stands out in the crowd and it’s sure to become a collectable.
Of course, speaking of collectables, the toy industry went into hyper-drive production just as quickly as the car company did, and I don’t imagine that did any harm to Camaro sales either.
It was a win-win for everyone. You saw a new Camaro out on the street and you thought of the film. You took your kids to the movie and you fell in love with GM’s new product, and I’m sure more than one or two of those youngsters will someday end up behind the wheel of one.
You could view at this as pure marketing genius, but I applaud anything that brings enthusiasm back to the car industry. Well done, Transformers, and well done, GM!
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| 1977 Chevrolet Camaro BumbleBee (Photo: General Motors) |