We’ve all seen them. The “Imported from Detroit” ads that Chrysler is flooding the market with. Some people think it is a clever way to gain favor with Chrysler’s home audience, others simply do not like the ads themselves. Nomatter how you feel about them, one thing is clear – they are kind of misleading.

A recent study by “The Made in the US Foundation” found that the vehicles in the ads are not even made in Detroit.  Made in the USA chairman Joel Joesph said in a statement, “The Chrysler 300 is assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and often includes a Mexican-made engine. Last time I checked, Detroit is not in Canada. Chrysler is flat wrong to imply the Chrysler 300 is made in the United States and we have asked the FTC to order corrective advertising.”

Chrysler responded by saying that Imported from Detroit is merely a saying and is not to be taken literally.

The famous ‘Imported from Detroit’ Super Bolw ad staring rapper Eminem featuring the new Chrysler 200 was very successful for the automaker, and Chrysler is hoping to further this with yet another musical tie-in.

Building on this success, the Chrysler brand and Eight Mile Style, a Detroit-based publisher of Eminem compositions, have partnered to release a gospel version of “Lose Yourself”, available now for download on iTunes, and to promote the city of Detroit. Performing the song is Selected of God, the choir featured in the famous Eminem/Chrysler commercial. The proceeds of money raised from the downloadable song will go to benefit three Detroit-based charities including Abayomi Community Development Corporation, The Yunion and Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Foundation. Chrysler has also released a music video of the choir performing the song with both a trailer and full-length video.

Check out both the trailer and music video after the jump!

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Audi is a company that prides itself on cozying up to celebrities and it looks like the latest name they’ll be working with is rapper Eminem…. by court order. Don’t jump to conclusions though, it’s not Eminem who’s being forced to do anything, but rather the flashy German automaker.

In early June, 8 Mile Style, which handles Eminem’s copyrights, filed suit against Audi in Germany over a video that it allegedly (and rather obviously) ripped off. The promo piece for the new Audi A6 Avant used a rendition of the award-winning “Lose Yourself” song and even aped Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” commercial, which was created for the Super Bowl.

8 Mile Style has announced a settlement has been reached and showing some serious class, rather than a big cash settlement, the arrangement will see Audi lending a hand to, “support the revitalization of Detroit by contributing to selected social projects.” Making this settlement all the more poignant is the fact that in the past few years Audi parent company Volkswagen turned its back on the Motor City, moving it’s U.S. headquarters to Washington, D.C.

Details of exactly how Audi will be helping-out Detroit are expected to be announced soon.

[Source: FreeP]

Watch the original “Imported from Detroit” ad, plus the copycat Audi one after the jump

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A Federal Judge made a final ruling allowing the Pure Detroit clothing line owned by Moda Group LLC to continue printing and selling “Imported from Detroit” products.

U.S District Judge Arthur Tarnow decided that the slogan was geographical, descriptive and arguably misleading and thus was not a valid trademark for protection. He ruled in favor of Moda saying that Chrysler wouldn’t suffer irreparable harm and didn’t have a strong likelihood of winning the case. Chrysler spokesman Michael Palese, said, ”Chrysler Group is disappointed with this opinion and will continue to pursue all avenues to protect our Imported from Detroit trademark.” Since the Super Bowl commercial, Chyrsler has sold 5,800 items bearing the “Imported from Detroit” slogan.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

In between light-beer dick jokes and Justin Bieber cameos, Chrysler’s now-famous “Born of Fire” ad was one of the Super Bowl standouts. The experts in the industry agree, too: the Eminem-infused ad swept four awards at the 85th annual Cannes International Festival of Creativity.

The ad took home Best Direction, Best Use of Music, Best Script and—to top everything off—Best Automotive Commercial. It was developed by Wieden+Kennedy, who hold such well-known brands as Coca-Cola, Nike, and Old Spice (but not Secor Laxatives), and can now add a few more “Lions” to their trophy cabinet.

“Chrysler is humbled to be awarded with such a prestigious honor,” said Olivier Francois, president of Chrysler. “The ‘Born of Fire’ commercial and the ‘Imported from Detroit’ campaign describes the comeback of the Chrysler brand and truly defines American luxury.”

Don’t remember the ad? Or just want to watch it again? Check it out after the jump:

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Dr. Dre be the name, still running the game. Chrysler‘s “Imported From Detroit” campaign has propelled beyond Detroit, stopping by in Portland, Oregon (with Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh) and New York City (with menswear designer John Varvatos). Now Chrysler comes straight outta Compton Los Angeles with Dr. Dre and the new 300S with Dre’s signature Beats Audio system, to make sure you don’t act like you forget about Dre.

The ad itself is called “Good Things,” and shows Dre cruising around LA, showing off the Beats Audio package inside the trunk, and generally insinuating hometown attitude. Chrysler 300S elevates the regular 300 sedan to baller status, by adding 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, piano black interior bits, and a 10-speaker Beats by. Dr. Dre system. If you’re expecting Eminem to make an appearance, however, you’ll just have to wait for Detox to drop.

Click the jump to see the ad in its high-res entirety.

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Rapper Eminem is suing Audi over what he believes is a copyright infringement case, using one of his songs in a promotional video for the new A6 Avant.

Eight Mile Style, which oversees Eminem’s copyrights has filed for an injunction against the German automaker in Hamburg Regional Court, alleging the sound track used in the background of the spot is the very same music from his “Lose Yourself” song.

Bu the overlap extends well beyond just the song, with the Audi video a near copycat of Chrysler‘s “Imported from Detroit” ad that ran during this year’s Super Bowl.

[Source: Mashable]

Watch both videos after the jump:

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In an attempt to capitalize on Chrysler’s ‘Imported from Detroit,’ ad slogan, a group of Jeep Dealers  made up their own printed slogan ‘Imported from Toledo,’ complete with a stylized image of a classic Jeep nose.

One dealer even placed the logo on the doors of a Wrangler and drove it onto the ice during the Toledo, Walleyes minor league hockey game. Needless to say, Chrysler brass weren’t too impressed with this unofficial idea and have now put the kybosh on the campaign, fearing that it will detract from their original slogan and cause confusion among buyers.

The ‘Made in Toledo’ idea is said to have originated at Monroe Dodge/Jeep in Monroe, Michigan (just across the state line from Toledo), where store owner Ralph Mahalak Jr. made up some 600 shirts with the logo, designed to celebrate the iconic Jeep brand’s 70th anniversary.

Said shirts were reportedly selling for $19.41 a piece, but now to prevent a trademark battle, Mahalak has elected to give the shirts away, offering one to each customer that comes into his store to test drive a Jeep vehicle.

[Source: Toledo Blade]

The money spent on that Super Bowl ad was well worth it. Now, Chrysler is running with the success of the ad that featured Eminem, and their Imported from Detroit merchandise line is sporting a new logo.

The line of products is adorned with the new logo that the company says “represents the hardworking spirit captured and celebrated in the Chrysler brand’s Super Bowl commercial, Born of Fire.” You can pick up these limited edition pieces from the collection that will be added throughout the year on  www.chrysler.com.  And not only will you look good in your purchase, it’ll make you feel good too – a portion of the proceeds from these sales will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, The Marshall Mathers Foundation and Think Detroit PAL.

“The Chrysler brand, the company and its employees have adopted the principle that failure is not an option – this merchandise reflects that spirit and attitude,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO, Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. “We hope that by partnering with these charitable organizations people will be encouraged to wear their ‘Imported from Detroit’ merchandise proudly knowing that a portion of the proceeds will go to programs and initiatives that contribute to the fundamental development of the children of Detroit and the communities in which they reside.”

[Source: Chrysler Group LLC]

Now that Eminem has made both Detroit and driving a Chrysler cool again, the automaker is capitalizing on the new found popularity that its Super Bowl ad has delivered.

You can now own your very own “Imported From Detroit” T-shirt, courtesy of Chrysler. Even if you’re not really from the Motor City, you can still make a fashion statement. Adorned with the retro graphic and tag line, these shirts are available in grey and black, and retail for $29.99 (the price doesn’t include your very own gospel choir backing you up… but how cool would that be?). And of course, the T-shirts are made in the USA.

[Source:  Kicking Tires]

Get your T-Shirt HERE