Why the cobra on the Mustang...why not Knight

[jnoce]

I'm shocked NBC isn't using the new GM Camaro, but I can imagine that Ford offered a better deal. Fine. But shouldn't the new KITT's logos be the Chess piece (horse-head) rather than Ford's cobra insignia?

The origianl KITT had no markings at all. I think it would have been neat if they used the Knight on the exterior insignias. Anyone agree?

[Nelson B]

Welcome to the wonderful world of advertising. We will all be watching a two hour Ford commerical on Feb 17 brought to you by Ford. I think there will be alot of people hurling if they actually show mustang commericals during the movie. Wouldn't be surprized if they do.

[89IROCNDoug]

I have to admit, Pontiac (or GM) was just plain stupid to not take advantage of the advertising during the original show. Ford is just being smart about it. If the new KR show is successful, Mustangs (in all flavors) will have a boost in sales.

I'm just hoping that they don't make the brand pushing so obvious, like they have so far with the 15 and 30 sec. teasers.

[PHOENIXZERO]

I'm shocked NBC isn't using the new GM Camaro, but I can imagine that Ford offered a better deal. Fine. But shouldn't the new KITT's logos be the Chess piece (horse-head) rather than Ford's cobra insignia?

The origianl KITT had no markings at all. I think it would have been neat if they used the Knight on the exterior insignias. Anyone agree?

You could have read on here as to why they aren't using the new Camero, this horse was not only beaten to death, but the beating has continued postmortem to the point where it's turning to paste.

While I agree about the markings, it's annoying as hell and I'm starting to refer to this TV movie more and more as "Ford Rider but adding even more to now where I'm seeing it as "GE presents Ford Rider now with Viper influence as we wanted Viper to be our new Knight Rider so now it's the other way around since we got the talking car" due to how I've seen this playing out since before the car was officially announced. But I'm still willing to give it a chance and might even accept it a little if the TV Movie/backdoor pilot is good or at least decent. Plus Ford's support would mean that the show would have a much better chance of surviving if it goes to series and only gets good ratings, plus they'll have a higher budget to fix whatever needs to be fixed from the backdoor pilot.

I just, just hope the Viper aspects I'm seeing with the new KITT are only on the surface and some things aren't really going to be that way. I didn't hate Viper but I would ****ing hate for a new Knight Rider to have things pretty much pulled from it as we have from the nanotech (GE/NBC's idea I'm sure seeing as GE is funding nanotech research) "transforming" KITT and also solar power (GE again) of course the Ford influence. Plus the fictional car's specs don't even match up to the original, 25 year old KITT's.

Maybe I should stop over thinking it....

[vampire knight]

Simple answer is just because Ford paid for it to be there as it has been pointed out. New show, new times, they have thrown the original fans a few bones here and there, but ultimately they only care about money and ratings. Never mind that ratings tie in to appeasing the viewer and fans, but nevertheless they want new fans. They are trying to appeal to the biggest market possible.

If I recall correctly, NBC never sought Pontiac for sponsorship initially. Glen Larson wanted KITT to be an 82 Pontiac Trans Am and therefore that's what he got. Glen Larson was not shopping around seeing who would give him the best deal. Once the show was good to go then deals were made with Pontiac to provide cars, but it wasn't a huge marketing scheme like we have now. I do think in a sense Pontiac/GM dropped the ball and could have taken advantage of the marketing aspect, but we just don't know what really was going on back then anymore.

Another reason I find sad about the whole thing is, that while I'm no Mustang or Ford fan boy, the Mustang name has become so diluted the last few years. There are like 12 different variations on a Mustang you can get; I feel it's being overexposed, not too long ago with I Am Legend having a new GT500 prominently displayed and now this big giant Ford commercial that pretends to be Knight Rider. It's just a different ball game in this day in age with all the product placement and partnerships between Hollywood and companies, not just automakers.

[Knight2000]

Really?

I was led to believe that Larson originally wanted to be a corvette (he liked the shape of it) but then heard about a railcar carrying T/As becoming derailed and since the T/A also had the shape Larson had in mind, he bought it from Pontiac at a discounted rate.

[Michael Pajaro]

I suppose we should be thankful the cobra doesn't morph into a Knight. (Although, I think that would be cool to see as a fan-made animation)

[Nelson B]

I'am sure I read somewhere around here that those TA's that were in the railcar accident were given to Universal.

[GarthKnight08]

The cobras have to be there for advertising like the guy said ahead of me but the thing i think sucks is that the car transforms into attack mode. When i first saw the new KITT it was in attack mode & i thought that it was like that the whole time & i thought it looked kinda cool. The stock GT500KR trim for KITT is ok but it would look much better in all black without the stripes & added black wheels & tail light black outs much more like the original KITT that would transform into super pursuit mode, in this case it would be attack mode. I hope this isnt confusing but could somebody photoshop the new KITT is cruise mode without the stripes & added black wheels & tail light black outs? Im telling you guys it would look sweet! When i get back ill do one up if nobody does it ahead of me. Is there any really good hi-res shots of the new KITT in cruise mode?

[KnightLady]

If you go to Season 1 DVD bonus materials, Larson was saying one of the reasons he choose the T/A was because the new T/A was just coming out, and he liked the sleek look. And if I'm not mistaken, I think they got about three T/A's for the pilot. I'm going have to rewatch that again...lol And I think they couldn't say what type of car is was, not that it couldn't be mistaken for a T/A. But, at the time I think GM was considering making a KITT for consumers when the original show was airing. But, Larson said they changed their mind when somebody decided to jump a train with it.
But, I can see your point with it. And like somebody said on this thread it is a maketing campaign for Ford. If the new show flies then Ford is gonna to reap the awards. Big money and big business is what it is all about.