Chevron Cars
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- This article is about the Chevron promotional animation, for the manufacturer of racing cars see Chevron Cars Ltd.
The Chevron Cars are part of an advertising campaign of the Chevron Corporation consisting of television spots, print ads, billboards, and toy cars available at Chevron retail locations. [1]
Their debut in television commercials in May 1995 featured talking cars done in clay animation, with a variety of car colors each with different personalities. The commercials themselves, done in a similar fashion to Creature Comforts, were crafted by Aardman Animations, the same studio that has produced films such as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. A year later, Chevron gas stations began selling the toy cars featured in the commercials. Chevron underestimated demand in 1997 and increased production to 700,000 on each of 4 or 5 new models at the time, compared to 500,000 in the previous year. [2]
Although originally designed for kids, Chevron executives were surprised that adults started collecting the toy plastic cars too. Older adults are among the most enthusiastic collectors of the Chevron Cars.
In October 2001, Chevron issued the limited edition Hope car to raise awareness about the fight for a cure for breast cancer and raised about $300,000 in donations. This has been followed by a new breast cancer awareness each October through 2007 with profits going to relevant charities.
In 2007, Chevron began limited production of cars in association with major commercial sports and university teams based on their Victor E. Van car.
| Car # | Car name | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Sedan | May 1996 |
| 2 | Wendy Wagon | May 1996 |
| 3 | Tony Turbo | May 1996 |
| 4 | Freddy 4-Wheeler | December 1996 |
| 5 | Patty Patrol | June 1997 |
| 6 | Tyler Taxi | June 1997 |
| 7 | Pete Pick-up | November 1997 |
| 8 | Horace n Trailer | November 1997 |
| 9 | Holly Hatchback | November 1997 |
| 10 | Leslie LX | June 1998 |
| 11 | Danni Driver | June 1998 |
| 12 | Tina Turbo | November 1998 |
| 13 | Kelly Kompact | November 1998 |
| 14 | Cary Carrier | November 1998 |
| 15 | Rudy Ragtop | May 1999 |
| 16 | Woody Wagon | May 1999 |
| 17 | CC Boat n Trailer | May 1999 |
| 18 | Casey Coupe | November 1999 |
| 19 | Bailey Bouncer | November 1999 |
| 20 | Brandon Bumper | November 1999 |
| 21 | Skyler Scamper | November 1999 |
| 22 | Zachary Zoomer | November 1999 |
| 23 | Nando | May 2000 |
| 24 | Frankie 4-Wheeler | November 2000 |
| 25 | Leo Limo | November 2000 |
| 26 | Hank Hotrod | May 2001 |
| 27 | Della Deluxe | May 2001 |
| 28 | Sally Schoolbus | August 2001 |
| 29 | Trevor Tow Truck | November 2001 |
| 30 | Pax Power | November 2001 |
| 31 | Charlie Chaser | November 2002 |
| 32 | Dylan Dasher | November 2002 |
| 33 | Chandler Chip | May 2003 |
| 34 | Summer Scoop | May 2003 |
| 35 | Riley Roadster | November 2003 |
| 36 | Maddie Mudster | May 2004 |
| 37 | Payton Pizza | July 2005 |
| 38 | Travis Tanker | November 2005 |
| 39 | Maria Minivan | June 2006 |
| 40 | Hap E Camper | June 2006 |
| 41 | Brent Blizzard | November 2006 |
| LE-1 | Davey Driver | June 1998 |
| Numbered Series | Icon Car | December 1999 |
| LE-2 | Taylor Taxi | September 2001 |
| OAK | Victor E. Van: Athletics | August 2007 |
| SF | Victor E. Van: Giants | August 2007 |
| VEV-ASU | Victor E. Van: ASU (Arizona State University) | September 2007 |
| VEV-UA | Victor E. Van: UA (University of Arizona) | September 2007 |
| VEV-UH | Victor E. Van: UH (University of Hawaii) | September 2007 |
| VEV-UNLV | Victor E. Van: UNLV (University of Las Vegas, Nevada) | September 2007 |
| VEV-USC | Victor E. Van: USC (University of Southern California) | September 2007 |
| VEV-LA | Victor E. Van: Lakers | January 2008 |
| SE-1 | Hope 2001 | October 2001 |
| SE-2 | Hope 2002 | October 2002 |
| SE-3 | Hope 2003 | October 2003 |
| SE-4 | Faith | October 2004 |
| SE-5 | Cherish | October 2005 |
| SE-6 | Promise | October 2006 |
| SE-7 | Courage | October 2007 |
| Autopia-1 | Classic | June 2000 |
| Autopia-2 | Dusty | June 2000 |
| Autopia-3 | Suzy | June 2000 |
| Autopia-4 | Sparky | June 2000 |
| Autopia-5 | Gold Dusty | June 2000 |
[edit] Credits
The television ads were designed by advertising agency Young and Rubicam. The education and branding website was created by San Francisco Internet/Intranet consultant ISL Consulting.
[edit] Pop culture
The Chevron Cars television ads have been parodied in several television shows, including Robot Chicken, the animated comedy Family Guy (episode "Deep Throats"), and a MADtv sketch in which one of the cars gets fitted with a bomb and explodes after asking questions about the ticking.
