How do media affect Import Automotive Culture?

Armin H. Ausejo

COM538

December 6, 2004

Why study Import Automotive Culture?

Personal interest Rising market Negative stereotypes

Topics to be discussed

Cultivation Analysis Theory

Movies

Video games

News

Future of Import Automotive Culture

Cultivation Analysis Theory

Gerbner and Gross found that portrayal of television crime greatly differed from actual crime statistics

Used to relate to media portrayal of Import Automotive Culture

Movies

Early car-related movies such as “Herbie the Lovebug,” “Bullit,” and “American Graffiti” glorified carsNewer car-related movies glorify illegal activity such as street racing and car theftThus, movie portrayal differs greatly from reality, for example…

Video games

Gran Turismo in 1998 dubbed itself “The Real Driving Simulator”Created the most realistic driving experience to date in terms of drivable cars and physicsActually goes against Cultivation Analysis since it was received as being as close to reality as possible

News

News media concentrates on illegal activity involving Import Automotive Culture, such as street racing, car theft, and insurance fraud

Personal interviews revealed that those within Import Automotive Culture felt the media was negatively biased

Television media has covered street racing within Import Automotive Culture since its infancy in the mid-1990s

Future of Import Automotive Culture

Growing aftermarket parts industryExpansion in sanctioned racingNew imports geared toward youthPerpetuation of negative stereotypes?

In conclusion…

Cultivation Analysis Theory

Movies

Video games

News

Future of Import Automotive Culture

Media indeed affects Import Automotive Culture