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Tiny Darth Vader brings The Force to VW’s Chattanooga plant

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen, Celebrities

Tiny Vader Max Page at VW Chattanooga opening

Max Page as Tiny Vader at the VW Chattanooga inauguration – Click above for high-res image gallery

On Tuesday, May 24, Volkswagen officially opened its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee that is dedicated to building the Passat. There were all sorts of potentates gathered for the occasion, from Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to current and former mayors of the city. When it came time to press the big, red button to get the factory party started, though, six men gathered around the podium and they didn’t make a move until a surprise guest waved his hands: little Darth Vader.

Otherwise known as Max Page, he’s the kid in costume who practically owned YouTube when he appeared in VW’s 2012 Passat commercial during the Super Bowl. Arriving with an entourage of Stormtroopers and his theme music, he did a little of what he does, the red button was pushed, and it was only then that the Chattanooga facility officially opened.

It was a fun beginning. Let’s hope the plant benefits from The Force and Vader’s touch as much as that commercial did, and as much as VW and Chattanooga are praying it does. Read the official press release after the break, and, more importantly, check out Tiny Vader in our high-res image gallery.

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Tiny Darth Vader brings The Force to VW’s Chattanooga plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Marvel riffs on VW Super Bowl ad with Tiny Thor

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Humor

Tiny Thor ad

Tiny Thor ad – Click above to watch video after the jump

Volkswagen created a serious stir with its Super Bowl commercial featuring an adorably pint-size Darth Vader, and now Marvel Comics is riffing on the same theme as part of the run-up to the upcoming Thor feature film. The studio has gone through the trouble of recreating the German automaker’s “The Force” ad nearly scene-for-scene… with one notable exception.

Despite the fact that Acura has saddled up with Marvel for the latest comic flick, the hero car in this particular spot is not the new TL. That’s probably all for the best given the final outcome.

While Volkswagen’s tiny Vader couldn’t quite bend the force to his will, this runt manages to have a little better luck with Thor’s hammer. We won’t spoil the ending for you. You’ll just have to check out the full spot in the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Marvel riffs on VW Super Bowl ad with Tiny Thor

Video: Marvel riffs on VW Super Bowl ad with Tiny Thor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is this tiny Nash Metropolitan the smallest fire truck ever?

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Etc., Police/Emergency

Nash Metropolitan Fire Truck

Nash Metropolitan Fire Truck – Click above for high-res image gallery

While keeping a fire extinguisher in your house or garage is never a bad idea, what do you do if things get a little too hot for your consumer-spec extinguisher to handle? Perhaps you might consider keeping this little gem in the garage as a backup. You’re looking at a 1960 Nash Metropolitan that has been converted into a fire truck.

Well, sort of. This machine was never actually meant to battle flames. Instead, the car was converted into an amusement park attraction by Overland Amusements of Lexington, Massachusetts. According to Hemmings, the company was responsible for all sorts of similar conversions in the ’50s and ’60s, though it tended to favor Crosley models for its fire trucks.

So, maybe you want to hang onto that kitchen fire extinguisher after all. There’s no indication that this Nash would be any help in an inferno, but it’s cool enough that we’re willing to give it a pass in the functionality department. If you like what you see, the seller is asking $29,500 for the pleasure of ownership. Head over to Hemmings to check out the listing.

Gallery: 1960 Nash Metropolitan Fire Truck

[Source: Hemmings]

Is this tiny Nash Metropolitan the smallest fire truck ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Lancia Ypsilon is a tiny taste of things to come

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Chrysler, Lancia

Lancia Ypsilon at Geneva Motor Show launch

2012 Lancia Ypsilon – Click above for high-res image gallery

Take a good long look at the Lancia Ypsilon. If not because it’s a vital new product for one of the oldest marques in autodom, then because it’s also slated to wear a Chrysler badge one day soon.

That Lancia and Chrysler are getting closer than a couple of drunk teens after the prom is no longer a secret. They share a common CEO – both at the group and brand levels – and will act as each-other’s agents in their respective markets (not unlike their counterparts at General Motors’ Vauxhall, Opel and Holden units). Vehicles we know as Chrysler models will soon be sold in Europe under Lancia’s umbrella. This car will be marketed as a Lancia in contental Europe, as a Chrysler in the UK, and possibly as a Chrysler in the States as well.

We ran through the full details of the new Ypsilon a couple of weeks ago when Lancia dropped the details, but if you want to see this upscale five-door Fiat 500 platform-mate looks outside the studio and on the floor of the Geneva Motor Show, click through our live gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Lancia Ypsilon: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2012 Lancia Ypsilon

Geneva 2011: 2012 Lancia Ypsilon is a tiny taste of things to come originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Plank + tiny wheels + V8 Supercar engine = Aussie for “skateboard”

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Australia, Humor

The Aussies prepare a special skateboard for Tony Hawk – Click above to watch video after the jump

Tony Hawk will be in attendance at the Telstra 500 V8 Supercar race in Sydney next weekend, where he’ll demonstrate his undiminished skills on the Monster Vert Ramp. As part of his welcome to the Antipodes, the locals have built him a ‘skateboard’ powered by a 630-horsepower V8 Supercar engine. Unlike the race cars, with their fancy roll cages and steering wheels, Tony just gets a throttle and a panic button. We’d love to see him run the ramp with it, but we’ll settle for him going just a little faster than the guy in the video after the jump. Hat tip to Allan

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Plank + tiny wheels + V8 Supercar engine = Aussie for “skateboard”

Video: Plank + tiny wheels + V8 Supercar engine = Aussie for “skateboard” originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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