Barbie World: GM's 10-Minute Cameo Rakes in $8 Million

author: FutureCar Staff    

A thrilling chase scene in the Barbie movie features not only GM vehicles, but also a Volkswagen Type 2 and some Chevy Suburbans. Barbie, accompanied by these cars, embarks on an exciting adventure.

When it comes to attending a party, Barbie opts for the iconic custom electric 1956 Corvette. This Chevy convertible Corvette has captured the audience's attention since the release of the film's trailer. Greta Gerwig's portrayal of Barbie made its global debut on July 21, 2023, generating a lot of excitement. Months of extensive social media campaigns and marketing efforts contributed to the film's success. In addition, General Motors, the leading automaker, collaborated with the marketing team to showcase their latest vehicles in the movie, adding to the excitement.

The Barbie movie not only evoked childhood nostalgia for Barbie enthusiasts but also provided an opportunity for brands like Mattel to promote their products. General Motors also reaped the benefits of product placement, earning $8 million for the 10 minutes of screen time their vehicles received. Not only did GM lend its cars to the movie, but their buildings can also be seen in the background of the thrilling car chase scene, connecting all the pink dots.

For car enthusiasts, here is a list of all the GM vehicles featured in the Barbie movie:

• Pink C1 Chevy Corvette: This legendary car, painted pink, made its first appearance in the movie's trailer. Margot Robbie, playing Barbie, is seen driving this iconic vehicle. Even before the film's release, searches for the C1 grew by 120%. Custom-made parts were used for this car, making it 23% smaller than the original Corvette.
• 2024 Chevy Blazer SS EV: Painted in bright blue, this compact SUV is driven by America Ferrera's character, Gloria. Gloria performs some impressive stunts in this vehicle during an action-packed sequence where she saves Barbie from the clutches of Mattel executives. GM also supplies the antagonists with blacked-out Chevy Suburban SUVs that chase our protagonist.
• GMC Hummer EV: Ken, Barbie's companion, gets to drive the GMC Hummer EV provided by GM. This car may be perceived as a masculine vehicle in the real world, but once Ken enters Barbie's world, it is transformed into a pink wonder by the Barbies.

In addition to the GM vehicles, a Volkswagen Type 2 and some Chevy Suburbans can also be spotted following Barbie during the thrilling chase scene. This adds to the excitement and variety of cars featured in the movie.

As a cherry on top, it is worth noting that GM stands out as the only major auto manufacturer with a woman CEO, Mary Barra. This aligns with the larger theme of the movie, emphasizing female empowerment and representation.

FutureCar Staff