Cats appear frequently in car commercials. In fact, they appear more and more often. A massive presence that seems to say far more about the attention needs of the automotive industry than about any sudden love for felines.
The message is simple: if a cat likes the car, then we should like it too. Or at least, that’s what advertising wants us to believe.
The technology that makes the cat obedient
But why this increasingly frequent presence?
The answer is mainly technical: CGI and artificial intelligence make it possible (and will make it even more possible in the future) for cats to “perform.” Technology allows the unthinkable: making a cat do what we want, rather than what it decides to do.
We all know how difficult (and pointless) it is to try to command a cat: it’s impossible to make one get off your lap even after you’ve completely lost feeling in your legs.
Now imagine a cat on a film set: halfway through a take, it will simply do something else.
Creativity still beats technology (at least in our view)
Some brands, instead of relying entirely on CGI or AI, have chosen more creative solutions on set. Clever staging or carefully designed camera angles showcase cats without manipulating their image: the real cat remains, with all its unpredictable movements, without being “digitised” or altered. It’s a more genuine and respectful approach to feline nature, but it requires ingenuity (and a lot of patience!) to achieve a convincing and engaging result while preserving the independence and charm that make cats so irresistible.
Five car commercials featuring cats
We have selected five car advertisements featuring cats. We’re aware there are many more, but we deliberately chose those that, in our opinion, avoid the easy route of AI animation and digital manipulation, and instead focus on conveying the elegance and autonomy of the cat. This doesn’t mean that all the images are entirely “true to feline nature” (after all, we are talking about advertising, not a National Geographic documentary). In one spot in particular, there are clearly “constructed” sequences, but they sit alongside unmistakably real footage of cats simply… being cats.
Another criterion was to focus on commercials where the cat is not just a cameo, but the true protagonist. So here are our five car commercials with cats.
Mitsubishi – Catvertising (2011)
A Mitsubishi Lancer commercial that places a cat at the centre of the scene. More than talking about the car, the ad seems to say: “If even this cat chooses us, you should too.” We appreciate the disclaimer: “Cat not included.” It’s always funny.
Mercedes Benz – ‘Cat’ (2014)
Mercedes wants to demonstrate the aerodynamics of its vehicle. How do you communicate that? If you’re thinking about wind tunnels and simulations, you’re on the wrong track. Obviously, you use a sleeping cat. What else?
Chevrolet – Walter the Cat (2022)
In this commercial, the cat is presented in a very different way. Every cat is special (we know that) but Walter is truly, extremely, unusually special. Everyone seems to notice… except his human friend. Interestingly, very little computer-generated imagery used to make this ad. In reality, Walter is played by nine different tabby cats, each selected for a specific “talent.”
Ford – That Cat’s Gone Electric (2025)
The soundtrack is “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” from The Aristocats, as if to say: if you want to be cool, you need a bit of “cat energy.” But let’s be honest: you’ll never be as cool as a cat even if you buy this car. Sorry.
Peugeot – Kittens (2026)
In the Peugeot Kittens commercial, the car market is portrayed as a mass of adorable but personality-free kittens… until the Peugeot 308 arrives like a lion among them. Beyond the universal appeal of kittens, the inspiration here feels quite clear to us… And it points strongly toward the collage artist Matt McCarthy. We’re left with one big question: how do you make so many kittens sit in a row? And how do you place a ski rack on a kitten’s back? CGI or AI?