Please please tell me that this should have been published April1st...

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=20684

To quote the first paragraph:

"Castrol is using roadside cameras to read vehicle registrations and
then flash individual motorists with a message stating that a Castrol
product is 'the right oil' for their car."

Guess where they got the vehicle data from so they can tell you which
oil to use in your car?

 

I don't get it. Why would they need the DVLA database info?

Since the hoardings don't appear to be identifying the vehicle
owner, surely the system can just read the plate. When the system
gets to seeing the plate 5 times it can then target the advertising
at that particular vehicle.

 

I think it's time for some furrin plates.

 

No, but they're trying to identify the *vehicle* *type* because they
have to do that in order to recommend the correct oil.

 

Yep. An advert that can look at a vehicle and identify the make and
model. Just like... oooh... the drivers of all the other cars around it.

Or, if you prefer, like any of a squillion websites flogging parts or
insurance. <shrug>

 

Fair enough, but seems a waste of effort to me. Even knowing the
vehicle type they won't know enough about the vehicle useage/condition
to recommend a specific product. A generalised recommendation at odds
with what the knowledeable owner usually used would be just plain fucking
annoying and counter productive, IMO.

Most drivers probably wouldn't even have a clue about oil grades/types in
the first place, anyway. That's what their local dealer/garage is there for.

I agree that the DVLA shouldn't be selling our data on to third parties.

 

In message

I wonder if there will be an increase in accidents due to distraction?

 

You mean like the ones triggered by the old "I can't cook" Wonderbra
advert?

 

In message

While working in a town near Frankfurt I was surprised by an underwear
advert with two women standing next to each other, one in bra and the
other tits-out. At the time I thought that such a thing would never be
seen in the UK.

 

Anyone can go online and see what vehicle a number plate is registered
to.

 

Best advert I saw over here was a huge billboard stating "DON'T BURN
THE ARSE OFF IT"

A suggestion for when cooking some prime N.I. meat.

Fair made me smile.

Paul.