Vauxhall goes online to give Corsa a virtual Second Life

Vauxhall is the latest brand to launch on virtual world Second Life. The car manufacturer will use the internet-based world to promote its Corsa model.

It is asking internet users to vote for the best locations in Second Life and will publish a top ten – called the Corsa Guide to Getting a (Second) Life – in mid-June.

Voting booths will be placed on the site from this week, and a full list of locations, which include water parks and nightclubs, will be published at www.corsaguide.co.uk.

A Vauxhall spokeswoman says: “In real life, Corsa is synonymous with having a good time.

“Now we want people to have fun virtually too. It’s a new world to explore and it can be confusing to find your way around. This initiative will help newcomers find the best places to enjoy.”

General Motors-owned Vauxhall launched the new Corsa in October last year and said it was aiming the car at the “young, fun, 20-something generation”. It created an animated band called the CMONS which featured in the launch advertising campaign from Delaney Lund Knox Warren and Partners.

Vodafone became the first mobile phone operator to launch on Second Life in October last year (MW October 12, 2006). It has been using Second Life as another channel for its “Make the most of now” campaign.

Coca-Cola also launched on the virtual world last month (MW April 19). Sky News will be the first TV news channel to take up a permanent presence on Second Life from next month.