In the latest ad for the Toyota HiLux, a family that owns multiple generations of the venerable pickup receives a disturbing visit. It’s time for another Rate This Ad, this time coming to us all the way from Australia. This one is titled “An Unbreakable Connection” and arrives just in time for Halloween.
It’s a dark and stormy night. There’s something strange in the neighborhood. In a large old house there’s creaking floors, drawers opening by themselves, and the dog seems to know something’s afoot. It plays like a horror movie. But instead of haunting the house, the ghost dad returns only to go for one last drive in his beloved mid-80s double-cab HiLux.
It’s mildly amusing, but not quite as funny as the fact that the already-dead patriarch feels the need to buckle his seat belt before driving off. However, we are pleased to know that the “Oh, what a feeling” jump lives on in Toyota ads down under.
I’m glad to say that TMCA has stuck with the OWAF jumper in all TV ads for as long as I can remember.
And I’m a fan of this ad because they are paying homage to their past models without slapping you in the face with the “get rid of the old model and buy the new one!” schtick we see way too often in the industry.
I like old Hilux’s and I like this ad!
One thing I noticed is the tan seat belt in a gray interior. The door panels and carpet look tan too, so maybe the seats and console were replaced? Tan interior with red exterior isn’t a color combo a Toyota would have come from the factory with so maybe it was painted too.
Made me laugh.
Frank G, My Dad had a red HiLux with tan interior from the factory in the USA.
One of the best plays on brand devotion I have seen in a commercial. Well done.
I love it!! It’s the same way I feel about my ’91 Toy pickup. I told my wife I wanted to be buried with it when the time came.
ad scares the crap out of my kids. If you must use it put it on after 9pm