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Adam Carolla calls car dealer stereotypes outdated in latest podcast
Comedian and podcast host Adam Carolla. Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
Adam Carolla has some thoughts about car dealers.
Mainly that the stereotypes about them portrayed in a recent line of Vroom commercials are a bit outdated and inaccurate, the comedian opined in Part I of Wednesday’s Adam Carolla Show.
The spots, which began during the NFL Playoffs earlier this year, take a satirical, cartoonish poke at what some may view as the traditional car-buying experience at dealerships.
“They all look like extras from ‘Waterworld,’ and they’re standing in these haunted dealerships like laughing at everybody,” Carolla said during the podcast, apparently referring to this “Dealership Deceipt” commercial. “I’ve been down to the Honda dealership in El Monte. I didn't have that (experience).”
Carolla — an automotive enthusiast, himself — and co-hosts Gina Grad and “Bald” Bryan Bishop described dealerships as being “state-of-the-art” during their visits, featuring high-end technology and offering a “very nice” car-buying experience.
The trio also share their take on a more recent Vroom spot, “Puppet Husband,” which depicts a woman inquiring about an SUV at a dealership, only to be ignored by the sales staff. The frustrated shopper pulls out a male ventriloquist dummy, who then asks about the same SUV, and was instantly helped by a salesman.
Carolla said he again found this messaging outdated, saying that, “We’ve turned the corner on this one, Vroom.”
Offering his take, Bishop said: “The disinterested salesman was the silliest of all. Because, you ever been to one of those showrooms? They'll descend upon you.”
Added Grad, “They hop to it. And as someone who went alone to the Subaru dealership this year to buy a car, I had no problems.”
Carolla and team did suggest dealership sales staff could beneift from a more in-depth knowledge of vehicle features, such as knowing specifics like exact horsepower differences between various iterations of a vehicle or the size of its fuel tank.
“Waiters come in every night and have to re-learn a menu,” Grad said. “You can do this.”
The full episode can be found at the link below. [WARNING: Contains profanity].
