Super Bowl Car Commercials Are Back in Style

The economy seems to be improving, car sales are rising and it is the beginning of a new year. So look for more car companies in Super Bowl car commercials this year. A 30 second spot during this year's Super Bowl costs $2.8 million to $3 million. However, that doesn't seem to be scaring away car companies. In fact, there will be eight major car makers shelling out the money for the right to run an ad during the Super Bowl, which will be broadcast by Fox. The Super Bowl has been the year's biggest media event. Many estimate that this year's game will attract 95 million viewers.

Check out our rundown of all of the 2011 Super Bowl car commercials

Companies that will showcase their brands include General Motors, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen and Audi. In fact, GM, which did not advertise in a Super Bowl since 2008, will have five spots this year. Missing from the line up will be Ford, which has not advertised in a Super Bowl since 2006. It will have a spot during the pre-game show. Also absent this year is Toyota.

Advertising executives are warning that the time will be cluttered with a lot of car ads so that each company will have to distinguish themselves from the others in some manner. It is reported that car company ads this year will account for more than twice as much as what ran during last year's Super Bowl. Analysts say that it gives car companies the opportunity to show the public that things are indeed improving for the industry.

Said one advertising executive, "... if you are going to go to the Super Bowl you'd better build a spot specifically for the Super Bowl, because you're going to be evaluated against ... beverage (ads) and others."

Other advertisers during this year's game include Anheuser Busch, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, CareerBuilder, Pizza Hut and Best Buy.