# Mocking Auto Poking fun at car culture to connect with young drivers, brands adopt niche humor. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Jan 28, 2014, updated Feb 20, 2014 | Category: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/auto-and-motor-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/mocking-auto ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Mocking Auto trend? **Mocking Auto:** While automobile marketing in the past has consisted of depicting aspirational lifestyles, many brands are adopting a form of self mockery to make car ownership less intimidating for millennial drivers. Adapting aspects of niche culture helps to draw in younger demographics to make the notion of adult life more approachable and the products associated therein more applicable to new market prospects. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 14, 2013 to Aug 13, 2014 - Published: Jan 28, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Mocking Auto trend ### Self-Mockery Marketing Car brands are using self-mockery to make car ownership less intimidating for young millennial drivers, which serves as a new approach to car marketing and advertising. ### Humorous and Entertaining Ads The use of humor and entertainment in automobile ads is becoming a new trend, making commercials more relatable, shareable and applicable to broader demographics. ### Meme-Inspired Ads Automobile ads are using popular memes as a way to get in on the joke, while addressing social and environmental issues with a good sense of humor. ## What the Mocking Auto trend means for industry ### For Automotive Industry The Automotive Industry can adopt self-mockery marketing, humorous or entertaining ads, and meme-inspired ads to reach a younger, more diverse, and social-media-savvy audience. ### For Marketing Industry The Marketing Industry can develop strategies that incorporate humor, entertainment, and memes to make their ads more relatable and appealing to younger consumers and expand their customer base. ### For Advertisment Industry The Advertisement Industry can focus on using humorous and meme-inspired ads that work as a shareable content to increase brand awareness and credibility among new prospects. ## Trend signals for Mocking Auto Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 75%, activity 46%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 75% - Activity: 46% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Mocking Auto trend 6 featured examples from Mar 14, 2013 to Aug 13, 2014. - [Instant Hipster Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/piaggio-vespa): TakeYour Look from Nerd to Cool with this Piaggio Vespa Campaign (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunity for creative agencies to develop visually striking campaigns that focus on transformation and personal reinvention. - [Mocking Motocycle Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portland-ducati-dealership): Portland Ducati Dealership Turns Male Employees into Seductive Models (Category: Autos) Implication: Motorcycle dealerships could use humorous and gender-bending parody ads to refresh motorcycle-related marketing campaigns. - [Meme-Inspired Auto Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-print-ad): Audi's Funny Car Print Ad Tells You What the Fox Says (Category: Autos) Implication: Potential for car manufacturers to incorporate meme-inspired advertising to connect with younger, tech-savvy audiences and promote their eco-friendly vehicles. - [Singing Dad Auto Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-uk): Fiat UK's 'The Fatherhood' Features Stellar 80s Moves and Unicorns (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Opportunity for car manufacturers to explore creative and unique approaches in their advertising. - [Hilarious Anchorman Auto Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ron-burgundy-dodge-commercials): The New Ron Burgundy Dodge Commercials Promote the SUV's Odd Features (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunity for car manufacturers and dealerships to leverage celebrity collaborations and humor in their advertising strategies to attract customers. - [Stereotype-Busting Auto Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honda-car-ad): This Honda Car Ad Makes Fun of Typical Ads for Hispanic Millennials (Category: Autos) Implication: This industry has the opportunity to disrupt traditional advertising methods by using humor to challenge stereotypes and connect with diverse audiences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Racing Homage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/racing-homage) (Autos) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Autos - [French Retro City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/french-retro-city-cars) - [Factory-Backed Performance Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heritage-performance-centers) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) - [Electric Luxury Grand Tourers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-price-ev-sedans) All articles: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos)