i sent an email concerning these ads and they apologized that they offended me.the part that offends me the most is when they get out of the car and say HOLY and then bleep out the cuss word that is entirely wrong our constition and laws were written by GOD fearing Christians now you tell me where is this world heading when we can referance GOD in this negative way.If any thing they should stop these ads for this reason alone

These commercials are way too realistic. When I say realistic, I mean they're absolutely spot-on IDENTICAL with that scene in "Adaptation."

For what it's worth, the creative team at Crispin Porter clearly lifted this "idea" from "Adaptation." Chris Cooper gets into a nasty collision in this exact same way in one scene. The scene in the movie even has the same element of surprise as the VW commercials.

So you see, these commercials are not just a callous attempt to exploit fear and post-traumatic stress disorder, but it's a CREATIVE RIP-OFF.

My girlfriend posted a comment and I want to follow up, I was the one that went to Duke University following my serious car accident...before my wreck I would have probably agreed with all these bashers, but I have experienced a serious car crash, and seeing that image on TV as "dramatic" and vivid as it is, is crazy, it's very real, and hits close to home. I wouldnt go as far as to say I have PTSD, but I know that I get emotional when I see this commercial, it does effect me, and I dont like it. The allstate commercial is less dramatic, and is presented in a better way, (not just ppl talking and all the sudden getting plowed and seeing bodies flying in the car) if this is the case lets show everything, murders, rape, and everything else in this respect, with such realism and violence...TV is for entertainment not to be reminded how horrible an accident can be...I still like VW, and I would still buy one, they are good cars over all...However, I am in support of the removal of this commercial. Changing the channel and all these other dumb comments are ignorant, obviously they have never been in a serious car accident or have had a close family member in one. I know people that have never been in a car crash say this commercial is too graphic, and too dramatic, makes them a little freaked about driving after seeing this commercial.all I ask is to tone it down, many many car companies stress safety, and have shown it in less dramatic ways to get the point across.

Don your posts were good and I agree with what you are saying, I am a business major and VW should have performed marketing research on this commercial more with the U.S. public before releasing it nationally to make sure it was okthey musta skipped that partand Nick Bailey, Nick L. and Nick Skelz-- you must have never been in a serious accident or maybe you could somewhat relateand Theg, I agree people drive like idiots with no regard of there actions, if they only knew how bad it was to be in a serious accident maybe the roads would be a safer place.Nick L your pretty ignorant buddy.Darko youre a real ignorant one too, no one ever said it caused PTSD, just that it triggers it or makes you have flashbacks or whateverhow bout you experience a horrible car crash where your almost dead and get back at me, let me know how it went and if the VW commercial does something to you thenoh and btw Im a college grad and earn a living so dont post ignorant comments like that, when you havent got a clue

Wouldn't it be nice if all of you angry posters had an argument over something that actually mattered? Heres one: Darfur genocide--GO!

I was searching today about the VW commercials and came upon this one in no time! I've read through all of the comments and I agree with Mr. Rau.

My boyfriend and I were involved in a serious car accident where a 18-wheeler pulled out in front of us while we were going 55mph in which I was the driver. I escaped with minor injuries, but my boyfriend ended up at Duke for 13 days suffering from broken bones among other things. Two months later I was involved in another car accident--VERY similar to the one where the two guys get blind-sided. As a result from the traumatic experiences, I suffer from PTSD. YES it is a real disorder and yes many suffer from it. I'm scared to death when I'm driving Always worrying about if someone's going to pull out and hit me or if i'm going to do something wrong. Watching these commercials doesnt help my sitution.

I read a comment above, that stated that the commericals do not cause PTSD, your right, what it does do is cause harm to the ones that ALREADY suffer from PTSD.

For the comments about "If the commercials bother you, Get real" You need to get real and realize that not everyone is like you, some people do suffer from disorders. These commercials arent offensive to you, but they are to Mr. Rau, my boyfriend, myself, and the many others that have posted a concern about these commericals and even those who havent.

I think that VW should consider that these commercials, being as intense as they are, should be taken off the air because they have no regard for a person's emotional or mental state. Everytime I see a the VW commericial it gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. Its rediculous for anyone to say "well if it bothers you dont watch TV" because really, that's not realistic. We dont have a problem with television all together, just the horrible and offensive VW COMMERCIALS!

Mr. Rau, I am willing to sign any type of petition that you set up, because I agree with you completely. Something needs to be done about these commercials.

Anyone who thinks these commercials actually cause Post tramatic stress...is absolutley idiotic in my opinion! It is only a commercial to show you that bad things happen to anyone...and new technology can save lives...it's just a commercial! CLASS ACTION LAWSIUT???? I mean come on!!! this is rediculous and trivial but most of all a horrible money grab by people who are too lazy are stupid to earn it. You want post tramatic stress...go to war! Then you would have an excuse to go see a shrink! An innovative car commercial couldn't possibly give you it unless you are weak minded.

This is REDICULOUS PEOPLE!

Ok, I too have noticed the recent VW commercials and I googled VW commercials. What struck me was how the German Guy is in all in white, everything is white, pure. At the end he states "representing Deutschland"
The other commerical, the crash one I think at the very end in type it says "The Highest Government..." The type screened on so fast I didn't get to read the rest of it. I think these are white supramist. Has anyone else noticed this?

Mr. Rau, the bottom line continues to be that the problem here is YOU and your PTSD. Not VW, who is accurately depicting an event that happens literally hundreds of times a day. Have you ever thought about maybe getting therapy for your condition? No, it's much easier to go around suing people startle you.

Yes, and I jump right to you suing VW because your steps 1-5 are not going to work. Why? Because your request is ridiculous. I repeat: What if you were walking down the street and saw an accident happen in front of you? Would you sue those people too because they made you feel bad? NOT EVERY DISTRESSING SITUATION IN ONE'S LIFE REQUIRES A LAWSUIT!!

In short, either seek help, clean the sand out of your vag, or perhaps both. Your situation is NO DIFFERENT from a war veteran with PTSD who happens upon a trailer for a war movie. Yet there are no war veterans suing Paramount because they are "deliberately harming the mental and emotional well being of television viewers". Give me a friggin' break!

VW is no more harming you than Bambi dying is harming the Disney-watching children of the world. Sometimes in life bad things happen. If YOU can't deal with it, it's YOUR problem.

BTW, here is what the largest automotive forum on the internet thinks about the ads, and your comments in particular: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2566955&page=1

The VW commercial is crazy. I saw it once and kept thinking about it after. Is the guy okay? How'd they do that? No, but seriously, is the guy okay?

It also reminded me of Volvo ads from way back and how they were meant to be the best car on the planent. And then I thought about how our family Volvo leaked oil and was a piece.

And sometimes I think that being in the face of viewers is a good thing. Sure I thought of VW (and what ad firm they use), but car safety in general.

The reality is people drive like idiots and people get in accidents every day. It shouldn't happen and if some people think first before they act then I think that's good. People don't think enough these days about much. It seems the general public often takes things at face value sans thinking.

Word is bond - sometimes.