The Herald Sun reports that car companies have complained about their cars being damaged while filming for the Aussie version of Top Gear, but the question is: Isn’t it worth it?
The show is an international success, probably the most well-known car show in the world, and will be seen by thousands, so surely a few thousand dollars worth of repairs are nothing compared to the enormous exposure which the cars will receive from being featured on the show.
In the case of the Lamborghini being dealt $25,000 of damage, selling just one more car due to the show would easily cover that, plus some, right?
I understand that individual dealers would be upset they had to have the cars in the shop for a while, but ultimately it’s all good advertising.
Surely the dealers were told what was to happen with the car? Was it not insured? Was there no lease contract signed? Or did the Top Gear crew simply walk up and ask to take it for a spin? Why are they not liable to pay the costs?
At the end of the day it was the manager’s decision to let them use the cars.
There are measures in place (or should be) that ensure dealers will not be left with a bill when a client returns a damaged car.
Car companies would be wise to embrace the show as a huge source of publicity for their cars. When you look at how popular it is overseas, it is likely that car-mad Aussie will warm to it eventually, and the rewards for featured cars will be increased sales, without a doubt.
December 10, 2008...3:18 pm
Car companies complain about good advertising?
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