Why you’re about to see more electric cars in Netflix TV shows

Expect to see more electric cars in TV shows and movies on Netflix, following a landmark product placement deal with one of the biggest car makers in the US.

In what is believed to be the first deal of its type, US automotive giant General Motors has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Netflix streaming service – rather than individual production companies or TV shows – for its electric cars to be used exclusively in TV shows and movies.

In a video uploaded to YouTube, Hollywood star Will Ferrell explains the General Motors electric cars will only be promoted in programs where it “makes sense”, referencing a number of Netflix-exclusive shows such as Army of the Dead and Squid Game.

The one-minute General Motors advertisement about the Netflix deal (above) is set to make its television debut on 12 February US time during the 2023 Super Bowl football game – widely considered to be the country’s most-watched TV broadcast of the year.

It is the second time Will Ferrell has starred in a Super Bowl ad for General Motors, following his 2021 appearance where he compared Norway’s electric-car sales to the US.

During the 2022 Super Bowl, Michael Myers reprised his ‘Dr Evil’ character from the Austin Powers franchise – renamed as ‘Dr. EV-il’ – who now drives General Motors electric cars to “save the world”.

General Motors’ subsidiary Chevrolet also promoted its electric Silverado during last year’s Super Bowl, recreating the opening sequence of The Sopranos with the battery-powered pick-up.

A General Motors media statement said Love is Blind, Queer Eye and Unstable are expected to be the first Netflix shows to prominently feature General Motors electric cars, promoting the Chevrolet Bolt, GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, respectively.

As previously reported, General Motors has committed more than $US35 billion ($AU50 million) towards funding its electric-car development projects between 2020 and 2025.

General Motors has previously announced long-term plans to introduce 30 electric models in the US by 2025 across its Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick brands.