Leave it to the Japanese to create the most terrifying ad for tires … ever

By Peter Braun Published December 4, 2013

clip ring terrifying japanese ad tires autoway tire screen cap — If you don't buy good tires, you too may face demon children. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Despite our claims that we at Digital Trends rarely cover advertisements; here is another. Though, I think you will agree after watching it that this is no typical ad.

Japanese tire retailer Autoway has decided that its normal ads just aren’t getting the job done. So it has decided to take a cue from Japan’s infamous horror film industry to scare the living Christ out of its customers.

Recommended Videos

Now, on the one hand I get it. The ad is tapping into our primal fear of car accidents by setting a snowy driving scene.

But on the other hand … “Good lord! That’s a terrifying, mutilated child!” When I first watched it, I knew something was coming but I still jumped back in my seat and my dog came charging in from the other room to kill whatever was attacking me.

I don’t speak Japanese so I am not entirely sure about the text, but I am guessing that the little girl is saying that she will now kill us because her parents didn’t buy good enough tires to save her.

This is a potent, if downright low, advertising message. However, I must say that after watching this, I was not thinking about buying tires, but instead: guns, swords, and home exorcism kits.

So really, send me more ads with Jean Claude Van Damme or SRT Vipers. And Autoway Tires, you can go to hell. If nothing else, you need to drop your monster child off there.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…

Cars

Location data for 800,000 cars exposed online for months

A data leak led to around 800,000 Volkswagen (VW) electric vehicles (EVs) having their location exposed online for several months, according to a report by German news magazine Der Spiegel.

The global incident impacted owners of EVs from VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda, with real-time location showing for the affected vehicles, whether they were at home, driving along the street, or, in the words of Der Spiegel, parked “in front of the brothel.”

Cars

Faraday Future could unveil lowest-priced EV yet at CES 2025

Faraday Future FF 91

Given existing tariffs and what’s in store from the Trump administration, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.

After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.

Cars

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Tesla Model Y: Does electric SUV beat the bestselling EV?

Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

The long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 9 is finally on the way, after months of waiting for what many hope will be a true competitor to the Kia EV9. The electric SUV is likely to be one of the go-to options for those who want a larger EV at a lower price than the likes of the Rivian R1S. But, while it's larger than the Tesla Model Y, it's also likely to be a little more expensive.

The two vehicles are a bit different when it comes to things like performance, range, and charging. Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 worth the extra cash, or should you go for the cheaper, yet smaller car? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The overall designs of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Tesla Model Y are pretty different, and that may be enough to sway your buying decision. The Ioniq 9 is a true SUV; it's big and boxy, and while it looks a little sleeker than some SUVs thanks to its curved roofline, it's clearly larger than the Tesla Model Y. At the front of the Ioniq 9 is a long light bar separated into pixel-like blocks that helps give the vehicle a unique design motif. At the rear of the Ioniq 9, you'll also find pixel lights curving around the sides and top of the trunk. The Ioniq 9 measures 199.2 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 70.5 inches high.