Surely by now every American is aware of the collapsed credit market and the imploding American auto industry. So what are the automakers telling us to quell our fears?
(WARNING: The sample of commercials is non-representative and based on two nights of watching an hour of TV.)

Honda was subtly and soothingly reassuring, with a hypnotically calm voice:
“Rest assured that now, as always, you can still get low APR financing.*”
*for well qualified buyers

One desperate-sounding Ford dealer accosts viewers with the fact that it has learned nothing from the credit crisis:
“Helloo-oo! Looking for a lease? Finance with Ford and everyone’s approved!“

One Mitsubishi dealer set in with an entire economic treatise:
“Think you can’t get credit? Well I want you to know that’s just not true! Yes our sales are down but that’s due to low consumer confidence and not lack of credit! With demand low and supply high now is the time to buy your new Mitsubishi! We have good relations with over 50 lending institutions who are ready and willing to extend you credit!”
Translation: He does not forgive [lack of credit for you], he does not forget [his econ 101 class]. His group has over 9000 lending institutions… AND THEY’RE ALL RAPING CONSUMERS

That annoying Suzuki dealer is still putting out commercials. My gosh I hope he goes bankrupt. Really, who buys Suzukis anyway?

One Nissan dealer rehashed Honda’s message in peppier form:
“Think you can’t get approved? Think again! Come on down to…”

Toyota’s annual Toyotathon commercials seem to exude an air of “Crisis? What crisis? Oh really? I hadn’t noticed”. They’re probably going to be first in line for the dance on the laurels of the Big 3 anyway.

And finally, I have yet to see any commercials from GM or Chrysler, or any of their affiliated brands. Probably because they have no advertising budgets anymore.