"As we told you, car commercials were absent this year from the Super Bowl, except for Stellantis which featured new commercials for Ram Trucks and a very special 2-minute commercial for Jeep. I pay attention to commercials, and for me, the Jeep commercial stole the show, with a patriotic message for America that was timely and needed. If you missed them, we have both commercials for you below. Big applause to Stellantis for the Jeep commercial they called 'Owner’s manual." - Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds
The Big Game may be over - but there are two car commercials folks are still talking about - both from Stellantis.
Jeep
Legendary film actor Harrison Ford made a surprise appearance in the Jeep brand’s Big Game commercial. The spot, which was kept top secret until its reveal during the telecast last Sunday night, features Ford in the two two-minute film "Owner's Manual."
The film focused on storytelling - with Harrison Ford speaking to the fact that with all the infinite possibilities that life offers, people, unlike cars, don’t have the advantage of an owner’s manual that can help guide their decisions, so ultimately choose what makes them happy.
Says Ford in the film, “Choose what makes you happy. My friends, my family, my work make me happy. This Jeep (Wrangler 4xe) makes me happy … even though my name is Ford. That's my owner’s manual. Get out there. Write your own.”
Said Harrison Ford about working with the Jeep brand on the commercial, "I said 'yes' to doing this commercial because of the script. It's a very straightforward communication about life and ends with getting in a Jeep vehicle, that's the hook. It didn't require me to reintroduce myself, point to the fact that in my life I've been many things and known for specific projects or roles. It's just a quiet talk from somebody sharing an idea. I love the way it developed."
The film was directed by Academy Award-nominated director James Mangold (“A Complete Unknown,” “Ford v Ferrari,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “The Wolverine”). It also includes an original score, “Go Anywhere,” written and performed by Sony Music Publishing artist Nathaniel Murphy, specifically for the Jeep brand film.
Ram Trucks
Ram's action-packed spot in the Big Game, "Drive Your Own Story", shined a spotlight on freedom and power of choice for truck buyers. The spot feature actor Glen Powell, well known for his roles in“Twisters,” “Hit Man,” and “Top Gun: Maverick”, alongside the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger, the new heavy-duty Ram 2500 Rebel and the new Ram 1500 RHO.
The plot? A truck-twisted version of the children’s fairy tale, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” In“Uncle Glen’s” version of the classic story, he tells a high-octane adaptation to his real-life twin niece and nephew that includes Ram trucks, a fire-breathing dragon, jumping across active volcanoes and, in the end, does include actual (CGI) bears! The 60-second commercial, "Drive Your Own Story," can be viewed below.
“Hauling a barbequed dragon and jumping volcanoes definitely falls out of the common duty cycle for a Ram pickup, but that doesn’t make it impossible,” said Tim Kuniskis, Ram Brand CEO. “The choice between the all-new 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger, a combination of electric and ICE that will open up for orders soon, the Ram 2500 Rebel heavy duty and the Ram 1500 RHO may not come easy, but we always want to offer our truck-buyers options. Whether it’s gasoline powered or electric powered, or perhaps a combination of both, Ram truck buyers, like Glen, are given the power of choice, allowing them to be the hero of their own story.”
Instead of Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear with porridge options, the Ram version of the children’s bedtime story (soundtracked to Van Halen’s classic “Panama”) features Powell having the power to choose from, one, the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger, two, the new heavy-duty Ram 2500 Rebel and, three, the new Ram 1500 RHO to take on his own adventures. Depending on his needs, he picks the one best suited for his story.
Powell ultimately opts for the 1500 Ramcharger to show off his artistic muscles and shows off his chainsaw carving skills, then he goes into full superhero mode to slay a fire-breathing dragon, which he then proceeds to eat after towing it behind him in a dragon-size smoker with the heavy-duty Ram 2500 Rebel, and he jumps volcanoes in the Ram 1500 RHO. He's ultimately snapped back to reality as “Uncle Glen” during his reading of the bedtime story by his twin niece and nephew (the children of Powell’s real-life sister).
The one-minute film was directed by blockbuster filmmaker David Leitch (Minted Content), known for global action hits, such as “Deadpool 2,” “John Wick,” and “Bullet Train.”
Glen Powell is of course no stranger to the Ram brand. The actor helped kick off the new generation of Ram trucks in “The Calling” advertising campaign in April 2024.
Photo: Stellantis.