Arts & Entertainment
Toyota Commercial in Wyandotte Approved, Readers Offer Mixed Feedback
Wyandotte Patch readers expressed positive and negative feelings about the project that's set to begin shooting next week.
A request to film a television commercial for Toyota at BASF Waterfront Park was approved this week by Wyandotte officials.
Representatives of Strader Films in Brentwood, TN requested permission from Wyandotte City Council members on July 29 to shoot a Toyota commercial at the park from Aug. 13-15. Crews will be setting up, shooting and tearing down the commercial during the three requested days. Shooting will take place on Aug. 14.
Deputy Clerk Maria Johnson said all appropriate parties are aware and in favor of the commercial including BASF and the city's attorney.
"Every legal aspect has been taken care of," Johnson said.
The project offers the City of Wyandotte a chance to be in the spotlight, according to Councilman Daniel Galeski. Wyandotte officials allowed the use of the property at no cost.
Wyandotte Patch readers had mixed feelings about the project on the Wyandotte Patch Facebook page:
- Danielle Raupp: Wish it was an American Car coming instead of Foreign!
- Rogers Stuff: I walk here every day. I have the gazebo as my cover pic. Hope I can be an extra or at least watch them make the commercial.
- Janette Parish: Don't do it promote American made!!!
- Loree Robinson-Falandysz: We don't want Toyota here! In Wyandotte we are American made only! Hell NO stay away!
- Brian Wooten: Think about the Michigan workers that will get hired for this, the Michigan rental houses that will make money off of camera and lighting equipment rentals, the local actors and extras that will make money, and not to mention the city making money off of the location. Welcome Toyota, pleas spend your money here.
"The crews searched for a week from Grosse Pointe on down the (Detroit) river and they decided upon Wyandotte," Galeski said. "We out-shined all the other communities."
Councilwoman Sheri Sutherby-Fricke said she has never purchased a foreign car in her life, but welcomed Toyota to Wyandotte.
"We're excited to have anyone come in and promote our town," Sutherby-Fricke said.
While Toyota Motor Corporation is not affiliated with any American automotive brand, the Japan-based company has 10 plants and several other entities in the U.S. and employs hundreds of American citizens. The Toyota Technical Center is located in Ann Arbor.
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