Really? 2010 Ford Mustang to make Knight Rider cameo - Ford Mustang Forum

Jon Igielnik · 11-18-2008, 06:51 PM

Really Ford? Really? Yes, it seems the big wigs over at Ford have decided the best way to get press for its new Mustang is to give it some nice product placement on what may be the worst show in television- Knight Rider.

That's right, if you're watching on Wednesday night, you can see the 2010 Ford Mustang roll out in some totally normal, not ridiculously obviously placed way.

“The 2010 Mustang arrived in a truck which was backed into the stage," said Gary Scott Thompson, Knight Rider's executive producer in a press release. "The car was unloaded, undercover and kept covered until we shot. Limited cast and crew were allowed on set. The moment we finished shooting the car was covered back up and put back in the truck and disappeared.”

This terrific Ford product will appear on a show already known for its blatantly obvious product placement of the 2008 GT500KR. On last week's episode, KITT had this to say about Goodyear Tires: "The tread is from a Goodyear Assurance ComforTread. It's one of the most popular brands of tires sold and distributed in North America."

This really gets to me, as we already got an hour and a half long advertisement for Ford Motor Company products from Quantum of Solace (which was actually Mustang-free, mind you) and now you give us this?

Keep in mind that Knight Rider is the show that kicked the impeccable and hilarious Will Arnet (of Arrested Development fame) off of the cast- he was playing the part of KITT, a part now played by Val Kilmer- because Ford thought it would be a conflict of interest that the voice of their Ford Mustang was also the real-life voice of GMC trucks.

As with the entirety of the rest of this series' episodes, I will not be watching in protest- because bad television doesn't deserve to be on television, no matter how cool looking it's V8 packing cast member is.

If you must watch, Knight Rider airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC. Check out the full press release from Ford MoCo in the reply below.

[Source] Autoblog

David Burkart · 11-18-2008, 07:51 PM

REDESIGNED 2010 MUSTANG WILL APPEAR IN NOV. 19 EPISODE OF NBC TV SERIES “KNIGHT RIDER”

Appearance on NBC’s “Knight Rider” coincides with reveal of the 2010 Mustang at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

Shelby GT500KR stars as the new version of KITT “Knight Rider,” which airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST

Jonathan Newman named winner of the “Mustang Stories” film competition for his entry “Father’s Day”

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 18, 2008 – The 2010 Ford Mustang is going to Hollywood.

The iconic American muscle car, which has outsold all competitors for more than 20 years, will make its TV debut on the Nov. 19 episode of NBC’s “Knight Rider,” which stars the Shelby GT500KR as the new version of KITT. The program airs at 8 p.m. EST on Wednesdays.

The 2010 Mustang will be revealed Nov. 18 at a special event in Santa Monica, Calif., and will be displayed at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Nov. 19-30.

“We’re delighted to bring the 2010 Mustang to prime time on NBC’s ‘Knight Rider,’ ” said Mustang brand manager Fritz Wilke. “With the Shelby GT500KR already showcased as the new KITT, it’s a perfect match.”

The 2010 Mustang’s appearance on “Knight Rider” is one of several ways this week to see the highly-anticipated redesign of the American automotive icon in years. Mustang enthusiasts also can tune in at 11 p.m. EST tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 18 on the Speed network to see the reveal of the 2010 Mustang at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.

Simultaneously, the Mustang Club of America will host nine regional reveal events at local movie theaters, where Mustang enthusiasts can see a special live feed of the broadcast. Mustang Club of America regional events will be held in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Tulsa, Okla., Detroit, Phoenix, Denver, Columbus, Ohio, and Tampa.

The 2010 Mustang will be seen in the episode “Knight of the Zodiac” inside the Satellite Surveillance Chamber, also known as the SSC or “KITT Cave.” The 2010 Mustang poses as KITT during an inspection and impresses everyone.

During the shooting, the show’s production crew maintained strict secrecy about the yet-to-be-revealed Mustang.

“The 2010 Mustang arrived in a truck which was backed into the stage. The car was unloaded, undercover and kept covered until we shot. Limited cast and crew were allowed on set. The moment we finished shooting the car was covered back up and put back in the truck and disappeared,” said Gary Scott Thompson, executive producer, “Knight Rider.”

The 2010 Mustang proudly builds on the car’s 45-year heritage with a more-aggressive, modern exterior design as well as a world-class interior.

The 2010 Mustang also receives the latest in technology, including available Ford SYNC®, voice-activated navigation and a rearview camera system.

Chassis and powertrain improvements pioneered on Ford’s extensive racing and special programs have been rolled into the 2010 Mustang as well. The new pony car will deliver more power and better handling, thanks to the development work on the 2008-09 Mustang Bullitt and lessons learned through the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge series.

Also on Nov. 19, the final installment of the “Mustang Stories” film contest airs. For the previous nine weeks leading up to the Nov. 19 episode of “Knight Rider,” a 60-second trailer of a short film featuring the Ford Mustang debuts. The films, created through a partnership among Ford, worldwide advertising agency JWT Team Detroit and Filmaka, a celebrated global digital entertainment studio and online creative community, then can be seen in their entirety at Introducing the 2010 Ford Mustang | Ford Vehicles.

Jonathan Newman has been named the grand-prize winner for his film “Father’s Day,” which chronicles a father’s deep-seated love for Mustang that finds him test-driving a rare Mustang several times until one day when the salesman informs he no longer can – for a surprising reason.

“The overall quality of the work was genuinely astounding and I am both thrilled and honored to be recognized by such an esteemed panel of industry experts as JWT Team Detroit and Ford,” Newman said.

“All films that were submitted were excellent, but Jonathan’s compelling characters and direction captured our attention,” said Caroline Pernot, Ford car communications manager. “We are thrilled to have Jonathan direct another film for the 2010 Ford Mustang. Jonathan’s film and all the other great ‘Mustang Stories’ film will be featured at Ford’s display at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.”

Nearly 400 scripts were submitted by filmmakers in 28 countries on six continents and 22 semi-finalists received the green light to produce their films. Ten winners were selected and featured during the 2010 Mustang launch.