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USA TODAY
November 8, 1990, Thursday, FINAL EDITION
Volvos to take a monster stomping for fun
BYLINE: Stuart Elliott
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 1A
LENGTH: 221 words
Volvo's monster public relations headache just got worse: Bear Foot is back.
The United States Hot Rod Association this weekend is planning to drive two monster trucks named Bear Foot - weighing 12,000 pounds each - over two used Volvos.
The stunt is inspired by ads in which a Volvo 240 survived a flattening by a Bear Foot.
But Volvo Cars of North America revealed Monday that the ads - now pulled from TV and magazines - are not what they seem.
They give the impression they were shot at a monster truck exhibition last June. But after an investigation by the Texas attorney general, Volvo conceded the event was staged specifically to photograph the ads.
Plus, Volvo admitted there were three cars in the ads, not one, and they were reinforced with steel and wood to withstand being run over.
''We're not out to belittle Volvo. We're having a little fun,'' says Michael Weber, spokesman for the USHRA.
The group produces motor-sports events in which monster trucks demolish cars.
The stunt was added to events at the Spectrum in Philadelphia Friday and the Houston Astrodome Saturday.
Told about the stunt, Volvo is keeping a stiff upper lip - as well as stiff upper bodies.
''I guess we'll have to take our lumps,'' says spokesman Robert Austin. ''It was bound to happen. We opened our-selves up to it.''
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
Copyright 1990 Gannett Company Inc.
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