Barbie's Car Showcase: GM Rakes in $8M in Just 10 Minutes

author: FutureCar Staff    

In the exciting chase scene of the Barbie movie, we can spot not only GM vehicles but also a Volkswagen Type 2 and some Chevy Suburbans.

Barbie is ready to party in style, and what better way to arrive than in the iconic custom electric 1956 Corvette? The release of the film's trailer featuring the "Chevy convertible Corvette" has captivated audiences worldwide. With extensive social media campaigns and marketing leading up to the global debut of Greta Gerwig's Barbie on July 21, 2023, the film has generated a lot of buzz. In addition to painting the world pink, the marketing team secured a partnership with General Motors, the largest automaker, to showcase their latest vehicles in the movie.

The Barbie movie not only evokes childhood nostalgia for Barbie enthusiasts but also provides an opportunity for brands like Mattel to advertise. General Motors also benefits from product placement, earning $8 million for the 10 minutes of screen time their vehicles receive.

GM not only lends its cars to the movie but also features its buildings 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 cars you can spot in the Barbie movie.

In the trailer, Margot Robbie, playing Barbie, gets her hands on the pink C1 Chevy Corvette, a toy car that shines in my collection. The C1 Corvette, which gained popularity even before the film's release, saw a 120% increase in searches. Custom-made for the movie, this Corvette is 23% smaller than the original.

Another GM vehicle featured in the movie is the 2024 Chevy Blazer SS EV, painted in a vibrant blue color. Driven by America Ferrera's character, Gloria, this compact SUV performs some impressive stunts in an action sequence where Gloria saves Barbie from the clutches of Mattel executives. GM also supplies the antagonists with blacked-out Chevy Suburban SUVs that chase our protagonist.

Ken, Barbie's companion, gets to drive the GMC Hummer EV, provided by GM. While some may consider this a masculine vehicle, once Ken enters the Barbie world, it is transformed into a pink GMC by the Barbies.

In addition to the GM vehicles, we can also spot a Volkswagen Type 2 and more Chevy Suburbans following Barbie during the thrilling chase scene.

Adding to the significance of GM's involvement in the movie is the fact that it is the only major auto manufacturer with a woman CEO, Mary Barra, which aligns with the larger theme of the film.

FutureCar Staff