How Volkswagen Made Car Ads Float

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This classic Volkswagen Beetle ad flips the script on car advertising. Instead of bragging about luxury or speed, it shows a humble Beetle seemingly floating through floodwaters, paired with the cheeky headline: “Last one to conk out is a Volkswagen.” The tone is calm, confident, and funny — exactly what VW became known for.

Why It Works

  • The image instantly tells a story — no flashy backdrop needed.
  • The headline builds curiosity and humor in just one line.
  • The body copy uses simple, relatable language to explain technical reliability.
  • The ad sells trust and engineering by making readers smile.

Who's Done This Style Well

Volkswagen logo

Volkswagen continued its tradition of humorous honesty in later campaigns that highlighted quirks as strengths.

Apple logo

Apple used similar minimalism decades later to make its products feel iconic through simplicity.

Creative Variations

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