Apple, Armstrong Ads Accelerate 2011 Nissan Leaf Marketing

By Antony Ingram

Antony Ingram

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No, seven-time Tour De France winner Armstrong isn't launching a range of Apple-branded sports equipment. Nor has Apple developed generator kits to recharge its hit iPhone 4 while you work out.

Both however, are playing a pivotal role in Nissan's latest wave of advertising for its 2011 Leaf electric vehicle.

Armstrong, who has spent 20 years cycling competitively, has recorded a commercial for the Leaf, expressing his joy at its lack of tailpipe emissions--having followed all manner of internally-combusted vehicles en route to his many victories.

It's a situation familiar to millions of riders and pedestrians, so Lance's sentiments are not only wry but something we can all empathize with. If you like, you too can empathize on Armstrong's Twitter page--but in the meantime, check out the video:

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has also been doing his bit for the 2011 Nissan Leaf, recently announcing the new Apple iAd. In his first demo of the new technology, Apple had constructed some demonstration advertisements.

Now Nissan has become one of the first companies to create a real interactive advert that can be accessed through various apps on the iPhone.

After a short introduction, the interactive ad lets users compare the cost of running the Leaf to some of its top-selling rivals (and a Hummer, which is neither a rival nor top-selling!--as well as enabling them to order the car itself.

Should you not want to spend the estimated $32,000 before tax incentives, you can enter a competition to win a 2011 Nissan Leaf in a color of your choice. This should have potential Leaf owners everywhere shaking their iPods in anticipation.

Although Nissan U.S. missed its June 30 deadline for informing 2011 Leaf buyers when they might expect their cars, Nissan can still generate excitement with well chosen product placement and a few famous faces.

Fast approaching the October launch date, its PR machine is working overdrive to illustrate the social benefits of driving the Nissan Leaf, its first publicly available EV. Both the iAd partnership with Apple and Armstrong's endorsement offer insights into the type of people the company hope will buy the car.

Contrary to GM's ad campaign for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle--which emphasizes driver freedom and illustrates the car's ability to function regardless of recharging--the Nissan ads squarely play to the Leaf's transformative nature.

The ad battle should be almost as fascinating to watch as we expect the cars will be to drive.

[Social Car News]