Toyota Prius Superman and Honda Insight Peanuts TV Commercial (Japan)

Toyota has started rolling out TV commercials for the Prius in Japan, starring Superman himself.



Yes it looks cheesy but I guess it works well for the Japanese...I don't know. Style is subjective, I don't go around town with a hairdo out of a Japanese manga / anime character. Just for comparison, below is the Japanese TV commercial for Honda Insight, starring Peanuts.

As of April 2009, the Insight dethroned Honda's own Fit (Jazz) hatchback as Japan's best selling car. It is also Japan's first hybrid car to be given that honour. But keep in mind that neither the Japan Auto Manufacturers Association (JAMA) nor Japan Auto Dealer's Association (JADA) combine sales of kei cars in their total sales figures. Kei car registrations are tracked by Japan Mini Vehicles Association. It's one of those little quirkiness in the Japanese car industry. Kei cars are the largest car segment in Japan, and the best selling kei car for many years running is Suzuki's Wagon-R, followed closely by Daihatsu Move (or was it the cute boxy Tanto?). In other words, I reckon the "actual" best selling car in Japan is still Suzuki Wagon-R, though it is difficult to obtain the latest registration figures of kei cars.

Below are some of the North American market Insight and Prius TV commercials. I guess these are more suitable to our taste.


By the way, it is not fair to compare both the Prius and Insight side by side. Generally they seem to attract the same crowd but they are actually two very different products. The Insight is priced significantly lower, and is positioned as an affordable hybrid. The Prius meanwhile has more fancy toys, is a larger more comforable car with higher performance, as well as a higher price tag.