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We live in a strange age these days, with artificial intelligence technology slowly beginning to creep into new facets of life, in some expected places, and in some unexpected places. We typically talk about AI in the context of smart assistants or faster computer chips in cars, but now, a new advertisement from the Stellantis group of automakers that includes Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler has used the technology in a slightly creepy way: to bring back a notable voice from the dead.

• Chrysler

  Founded

  1925

  Founder

  Walter Chrysler

  Headquarters

  Michigan, United States

  Owned By

  Stellantis

  Current CEO

  John Elkann (temporary)

• 

  Jeep

  Founded

  1943

  Founder

  Willys-Overland Motors

  Headquarters

  Toledo, Ohio

  Owned By

  Stellantis

  Current CEO

  Antonio Filosa

• 

  Ram

  Founded

  2010

  Founder

  FCA

  Headquarters

  Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA

  Owned By

  Stellantis

  Current CEO

  Tim Kuniskis

A Throwback To 2011

If you were around when the 2011 Super Bowl XLV advertisement campaign kicked off, you likely remember the very famous “Imported From Detroit” commercial prominently featuring Eminem and his music and a new Chrysler 200 sedan. There was a deep, growly voiceover for the commercial as well, done by the voice actor Kevin Yon, who sadly passed away back in 2018. But now he’s back for a new ad from the same company, thanks to the AI tech that’s been training on the actor’s voice to mimic him.

What Inspired The New AI Stellantis Commercial?

The new ad champions the Stellantis relationship with America250 as the exclusive automotive sponsors, otherwise known as the Congressional organization behind the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence document. The company GSD&M is behind the ad, which uses AI tech that was trained on recordings of Yon’s voice in preparation for the new script. The ad connects the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands to American history, like Jeep in WWII, old Chryslers in America’s early growing cities, and Rams at modern football tailgate parties. You can’t really notice anything funny about the voiceover itself, but they probably could have found someone to do a good impression instead if they really tried.

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“Fourteen years later, we still consider Kevin and his voice legendary within our walls, the one behind our company’s comeback anthem in 2011, and so for us, there was no better voice to announce this historic partnership,” Olivier Francois, Stellantis’ global chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

Other Details From The Commercial

Strangely, when the ad focuses on Chrysler’s innovation, it shows the new Halcyon concept that may or may not inspire future production models that have yet to be announced, instead of, say, the minivan that the automaker actually currently sells, which was one of the most innovative and popular vehicles for its time that Chrysler pioneered back in the day. Just a note.

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This all-electric sedan previews the future of Chrysler EVs.

It also looks like this new ad confirms the recent rebranding of badges for Dodge and Chrysler, with the new Fratzog symbol for Dodge and the new Chrysler wings shown at the end of the commercial. We can also apparently expect new America250-themed vehicles from each brand to be sold in limited numbers in the coming year.

Source: Automotive News