Subaru->ke86 kicks us right in the feels with its latest ad campaign titled, “Making Memories.” Not to spoil the minute-long TV spot, but it shows a dad pulling out random personal effects from the back seat of his first-generation Forester->ke1151 that include a crayon, an old pair of shoes, a hospital wristband, and a wilting corsage – each recalling memories of life events surrounding his daughter. The commercial wraps up with the dad passing the keys along to his now-grown girl.

This extended version of commercial depicts just how attached folks can get to their Subarus – or at least that’s how the automaker envisions it. Of course, after the keys are passed down, the dad buys another Forester, completing the cycle.

Alan Bethke, Subaru’s vice president of marketing says, “’Making Memories’ demonstrates the longevity of the Subaru Forester – it’s a car that stays in the family and is passed down from generation to generation – and as such, it plays a role in the lives of this family.”

The commercial also depicts the brighter side of not cleaning out your car for 16 years.

Jokes aside, this isn’t the first time Subaru has plucked the heartstrings of American TV viewers. Many of the automaker’s recent ad campaigns have played on the idea of the family car being more than just a car. On the same note but on much bolder level, Subaru appeals to the young rebel drifter inside us all with its heart-pounding WRX STI commercial titled “The Ride of Her Life.”

“Making Memories” is the first of a series of made-for-TV ads that will debut throughout the year.

Subaru Forester

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