Toyota has launched a new ad campaign called “Next One” in Japan, aimed at getting millennials interested in cars and driving. The latest have been a three-part series that tells a tale as old as time itself. Boy likes girl. Girl likes other boy. Boy’s slightly cooler but still nerdy friend helps him forget that trick by introducing him to the engineering excellence that is the AE86 Corolla.
What’s amazing about these films is that they have been replicated, shot for shot, in three different countries — Australia, South Africa, and Japan. It’s like a real-life Initial D without all the touge battles.
Australia
Japan
South Africa
All three.
Previous Next One commercials have been as disparate as crossing the Australian Outback in Land Cruisers to CEO Akio Toyoda slinging a 86 through rally stages. Sadly, the three latest will do nothing to combat the stereotype that all AE86 drivers are girlfriend-less nerds (Full disclosure: I own an AE86).
Hat tip to Ken L.
That’s actually a great ad (disclosure: I also have an AE86). My son actually looked upon me quite differently recently when one of his mates was highly impressed to learn of what I had in the shed and wanted to come see it.
Do we know anything of the production back story? Presumably they shipped the same car around the locations.
I suspect that might be the reason for all three being right-hand-drive/left side of the road countries.
They couldn’t make one in the USA with a heavily modded Hachi? SMH.
Fun fact: the guy who GETS the girl has an AW11.
AW11 owners are always odd. I highly doubt it.
Getting millenials interested in cars? Good luck.
aye don’t stereotypes us younger people. I’m sixteen and going to look at a car for sale this weekend, the car is a 1978 Datsun hl510 (stanza/violet). ive spent the last two years saving and working to get money so that i can buy my first car with all my money not my parents, so what im saying is there’s a few good car guys out of the younger generations… sadly just not enough true car guys.
Agreed! I’m also sixteen and I own a 1983 Corolla Hardtop that I bought with my own money. There are a few of us out there but most of the time, kids our age just do a whole bunch of drugs instead. :/
Electric cars will be for the millennials
with their car nerds talking wattage per tonne
and how many Km’s before charging etc.
Old car nerds will still have their fossil burning cars in the garage and
probably paying a fortune to register and drive them because of their
fuel and oil burning ways.
“Millenials” are all like at least 16 by now, and the oldest ones are about 35. Most of the electric/hybrid “fans” are dumb old boomers who don’t take 30 seconds to think where their “eco friendly” batteries come from. I wonder how all those npr-listening idiots (who think fracking is the greatest crime ever and oil corporations are Satanic) will feel when they realize that manufacturing batteries for their precious Leafs and Priuses and Teslas requires strip mining on a vast scale and produces huge amounts of highly toxic chemicals (some of which are in the batteries themselves as well). /rant
You sound like someone ready for class warfare to me. As someone on the cusp of gen x and gen y can’t we all just get along? There are plenty of millennials into traditional cars, and plenty of older folks hugging trees or clinging to misinformation as well.
What Ben should have said was, “I own an AE86, and I have a girlfriend”. 🙂
Yes, but would I if I drove the AE86 on the daily? That is the question.
First hand knowledge; Yes, but she would get really fed-up having to drive her Prius anytime the two of you went anywhere when it was warm enough that you would need AC.
I don’t know what y’all are on about, I daily my tan TE72 wagon, which is arguably much less cool than an AE86, and my girlfriend loves it! Even back before I repaired the A/C.
I dunno, a TE72 wagon is pretty cool — chrome bumpers, upright grille, and wagon — in other words, it looks like a classic, whereas the AE86 looks like an 80s econobox.
Isn’t “lonely drivers” what Iketani and the noisy guy with the big lips called their sub-chapter of Akina Speedstars?
AE86 was never sold in the usofa
Uh yes…….as the SR5.
GOTCHA! lulz
the sr5 had the 4ac motor not the 4age, to that motor you had to buy the corolla gt-s
The VIN plate for the SR5 starts with AE86…..the GTS starts with a AE88….Thats the catch.
Both the gts and sr5 have “ae86” stamped on the firewall though. I have owned both
AE88’s are true GTS models (and of course they were sold in the usa) (Full disclosure: I own one)
Australia never even got twin-cams, and they got their own version of the commercial.
The USDM AE88 was an AE86 in everything but the name. The only reason it said 88 was because of Toyota’s internal numbering scheme, but the sum of the parts — twin-cam fuel-injected 4AG engine, RWD E80-series chassis, and every part basically bolt-on interchangeable with the Sprinter Trueno/Corolla Levin from JDM-land — make it what the Japanese would call an AE86.
That video is clever, but misleading because it’s trying too hard to find The Big Revelation that makes the casual viewer laugh at the fanboys.
Didn’t most (all?) USDM versions have crank windows, though. That would affect the commercial…
Just like how USDM MkIII Supra turbos all have an MA71 vin, but are stamped MA70 on the chassis.
The little bit of sideways action @ 48secs in the clip will never make it to Aussie TV LOL!
Very true Kurt, they would have impounded it under the hoon legislation. Current affair will be on to that! Also, did I hear right with the bit about holding your hand out the window at 60???? It feels like a woman’s…..something? Breast, cheek??
An early model Celica would be more relevant
for Australian Toyota
I would love Mazda to copy with their own Rotary ad
Australians and Kiwi’s all grew up with a Rotary story.
Oh hells yeah.
Mine involves being 18 and driving a mint baby blue RX3 couple on Spitfires and Eagers. 12a bridgeport with a big Weber IDA carb. Buzzer in every gear.
No one in Australia in that age bracket can afford a mint AE86 to drive around everyday/if someone else pays for it, it will be a new car!
My god. The spirit behind these 3 videos. Incredible.
Sorry, I couldn’t listen to that song more than once.
I have the strong urge to re-dub the Australian ad with the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” score and remove the dialogue.
Steve – “Oh hey man, nice car, where we goin’?”
Paul – “Oh you know, just down to the beach to watch this girl I saw a few years back hanging out with her boyfriend.”
Steve – “Uhhhhh huh… um, hey I just remembered I forgot to hang my washing out for my… cat….I left inside…”
Paul – “Get in the car Steve”
lol no wonder the chick liked the other guy, sp00nta guy was beta as f#ck, been there done that.
wonder how long it will take for him to learn that his car will only attract other guys.
Funny how the Japanese version is the only one, where the word “tits” is actually being said. (oppai)
I noticed that too. When I first saw this article that had the English renditions I was waiting for it, then disappointed when they cut it. Apparently “boobs” is too offensive in English?
Though I suppose I can see where they are coming from assuming those are official remakes by Toyota. Don’t want some random person flipping out and damaging their reputation..
I tested this theory on the drive to work today. Holding your hand out the window of an AE86 at 60mph feels absolutely nothing like a girl’s (insert any body part here.)
It feels instead like a Jerusalem beetle impacting into the palm of your hand at 60mph.
Edit. Actually it was a green Scarab beetle.