Auto Industry News: 2020 Super Bowl Car Commercials, Electric Happenings, and UK Finally Leaves EU

Did you join the 11 million Americans who set aside vacation time for some Super Bowl Monday recovery? Hit the Gatorade and ibuprofen, keep nibbling on those saltine crackers, and take your mind off this debilitating hangover with a recap of some of the best 2020 Super Bowl commercials — auto-themed, of course.

While you’re here, catch up on some of the exciting happenings in the EV-sector, including Ford’s first electric Lincoln, compliments of Rivian’s skateboard platform. We’ve also got some highlights of what this Phase 1 of Brexit will mean for the UK’s car industry, the global supply chain, and future trade agreements with America.

2020 Super Bowl Car Commercials

It’s only natural we start with one of the biggest commercial events of the year and the ads that help define it: the 2020 Super Bowl. While Kansas City and San Francisco fans might have spent the commercial breaks paying more attention to their fellow fans and checking social media, auto enthusiasts had their eyes peeled to see which brands and models were going to make an appearance.

Thankfully, there was just as much action and excitement during the breaks as there was during the game. Here are our picks for this year’s best Super Bowl car commercials:

Jeep Gladiator: Groundhog Day

A legendary comedian reprising one of his most famous roles for the sake of selling a new Jeep? Sign us up.

Bill Murray and frankly, an adorable little Punxsutawney Phil went on a new adventure every day, just like in the movie of the same name. It’s a brilliant move considering this year’s Super Bowl just happened to fall on Groundhog Day.

Hyundai Sonata: Smaht Pahk

When it comes to guest star appearances, Hyundai really pulled out all the stops in a hilarious, well-executed ad showing off their new self-parking feature. (Even if it did seem to signal that perhaps they expected a certain New England-based team to make it to the 2020 Super Bowl…)

With famous faces like Chris Evans, John Krasinski, Rachel Dratch, and David Ortiz all sporting thick-as-clam-chowder Boston accents, this commercial tickled our funny bone while showing off some interesting tech for the future.

Porsche: The Heist

This ad was right out of Porsche fan’s dreams. Imagine being able to take a joy ride in every single vehicle housed in the luxury automaker’s museum in Stuttgart, Germany to chase someone who managed to make off with a Taycan. Even the tractor looked cool.

This was easily one of our favorite commercials—not just for the eye candy but also for the apparent Easter Egg the brand dropped around the 44-second mark. Could that be a 2021 Porsche 911 GT3??

GMC: Quiet Revolution

While some 2020 Super Bowl commercials focused on making us laugh or getting our hearts racing, GMC’s aimed at raising eyebrows and building hype.

The brand teased the rebirth of an old nameplate, the Hummer, for a new generation. And this time around, it’s fully electric. This ad gave us our first peek at the newly redesigned and reimagined Hummer in EV form, and an exciting glimpse at what the future looks like for the car industry as a whole.

Toyota Highlander: Heroes

But, at the end of the day, we really do love a funny Super Bowl commercial! Watching Cobie Smulders zip through different storylines, rescuing heroes who were “left behind” by packing them into her new Toyota Highlander was clever. Her signature dead-pan delivery sealed it.

There were plenty more great 2020 Super Bowl car commercials, including Kia’s moving “Tough Never Quits” featuring Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs talking to his younger self, as well as Genesis’ clever going-away party to “Old Luxury.”

Brexit Beginnings: UK Finally Leaves EU

Since we started with something fun and lighthearted, might as well lead into something a little murky and uncertain, eh?

After nearly three and a half years, three different Prime Ministers, and countless hours of debate, speculation, and nail-biting, the UK has officially become the first country to leave the EU.

For the next 11 months, the UK will transition into “Phase 2” of its departure which, unsurprisingly, means even more negotiations with EU officials. Exporting, importing and, of course, labor issues are all at the top of the list for many anxious British citizens. Formal talks will start on March 3.

Understandably, one of the largest sectors set to suffer if a deal can’t be reached is the automotive industry. “The impact of a no-deal Brexit on the automobile industry would be potentially catastrophic,” states the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). “There is no other industry that is more tightly integrated than the European automotive industry, with highly complex supply chains stretching across Europe and production relying on ‘just-in-time’ delivery.”

Indeed, 8 out of 10 passenger cars built in the UK are exported elsewhere in Europe, with the EU representing 85% of the English country’s car imports by volume. By contrast, the ACEA reports that “less than 4 out of 10 passenger cars (38.3%) made in the 27 other EU member states are exported.”

Parts-wise, the UK imported 80% of its auto-related components from the EU27 in 2018 and exported 60% of those it manufactured domestically. And as it pertains to labor, an estimated 10% of the UK’s 856,000-strong auto manufacturing sector are from somewhere in the EU, meaning they’d be cast out of the country under current rules.

Trade Tension

Basically, these industries are woven really tight—and it’s going to be a beastly undertaking to untangle them. And while it’s clear that a trade deal needs to happen, both sides are digging in their heels on certain issues that could hamper an agreement. Only 60 hours after the departure was official, both sides were already at odds.

“I see no need to bind ourselves to an agreement with the EU,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a London speech this week. “We will restore full sovereign control over our borders and immigration, competition and subsidy rules, procurement and data protection.”

“We are in favor of free trade, but we are not going to be naive,” countered EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. “If the request is to have broad access to a market of 450 million European consumers, zero tariffs, zero quotas—that won’t happen for nothing, or in any kind of condition.”

Britain is seeking a trade agreement akin to Canada’s, i.e. a virtually tariff-free deal that will avoid rising costs and custom delays. However, Johnson has maintained that part of the UK’s reclaimed sovereignty involves it being able to freely make deals with other countries—including the U.S. That’s a key reason why PM Johnson and President Trump are reportedly “talking” about working out a “massive” trade deal. While the two have a seemingly good working relationship, the President’s record of unpredictability could put a strain on negotiations—especially if Britain moves forward with its planned digital tax.

For now, we wait and see. But if Phase 1 Brexit is any indicator, we could be waiting for a good long while before we get a conclusive answer.

Electric Happenings

It’s been a really busy week for electric vehicle news, so we’re going to do a quick round-up of all of the top headlines and biggest stories you’ll need to keep an eye on for the future.

Fully-Electric GMC Hummer is Officially a Go

Remember before when we mentioned that cool, silent Super Bowl ad for a new and improved EV Hummer? Now that we’ve officially seen the noticeable six-slot grille in the ad this weekend, more details are emerging.

Set to hit the market in Fall 2021, the new Hummer will be a truck sporting an incredible 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque, and 3-second 0-60 time. When it comes to living up to its former legacy of power and excess, this new Hummer is clearly taking after its predecessor. The GMC Hummer will have its official unveiling on May 20, so stay tuned for more exciting details, including expected range, battery power, and price.

Detroit-Hamtramck to be GM’s First 100%-EV Assembly Plant

If you’re wondering where GM plans to build that silent-but-deadly new Hummer, the automaker confirmed this week that its Detroit-Hamtramck facility would become its first assembly plant fully dedicated to crafting only electric vehicles.

GM is investing an incredible $2.2 billion into retooling the assembly plant, set to produce a wide range of all-electric trucks and SUVs. “Through this investment, GM is taking a big step forward in making our vision of an all-electric future a reality,” said GM President Mark Reuss in an official release. “Our electric pickup will be the first of multiple electric truck variants we will build at Detroit-Hamtramck over the next few years.”

Once the facility is in operation, GM asserts it will be home to 2,200 new manufacturing jobs in Detroit.

This is a bold direction for GM and one we applaud as automakers scramble to adapt to a cleaner, greener industry outlook.

Ford Building First Electric Lincoln with Rivian

Collaboration has long been the name of the game when it comes to EVs. And it looks as if Ford’s recent partnership with Rivian is beginning to bear fruit. The Blue Oval has announced its first electric Lincoln model, using Rivian’s flexible skateboard platform.

“Working with Rivian marks a pivotal point for Lincoln as we move toward a future that includes fully electric vehicles,” said Joy Falotico, president of The Lincoln Motor Company in a media press release. “This vehicle will take Quiet Flight [the brand’s new product philosophy] to a new place – zero emissions, effortless performance, and connected and intuitive technology. It’s going to be stunning.”

Ford is clearly all-in on the future of EV tech, investing $11.5 billion in the space, even committing to EV-versions of iconic brands like the Mustang and F-150.

We’ll have to see if that big money can reap big rewards, in the form of some compelling future EVs. (Personally, I’m excited about the moves Ford has been making and have high hopes.)

The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Check out our coverage on the 2020 King of the Hammers race, learn a little something about Jeep LS Swaps, and browse through our round-ups of exciting races, shows, and expos taking place all over the country this February. Don’t forget to tune in later this week—we’ll be dropping content on exciting off-road product debuts from SEMA 2019, the best winter wheeling trails in the U.S., and some clever Valentine gift ideas for the gearhead in your life.