Last year, Super Bowl watchers got a good laugh out of "The Force" - the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat ad. The German automaker successfully spoofed Star Wars in a way that nearly everyone in the world could enjoy, and for proof look no further than the ad's nearly 50 million hits on Youtube.

So how does Volkswagen follow up that kind of smash hit? That's the question everyone was asking, including us here at Fletcher Jones Volkswagen. Some speculated that the ad would be a follow up to "The Force," and it sure seemed that way based on "The Bark Side" - a teaser that appeared online weeks before the Big Game. In it, a group of dogs collectively barked and howled out the "Imperial March" from the Star Wars, which is often synonymous with Darth Vader's entrance. Soon after, Volkswagen even tweeted that the new ad would be named, "The Dog Strikes Back" too, which is a clear spoof on Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Then the ad aired... Though comical in nature, it appeared to have little to do with anything Star Wars. In it, an overweight dog wants to chase a red 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, but cannot fit through his doggy door. Frustrated by this, the dog begins finding interesting ways to work out, and soon finds himself with a leaner body and more endurance. At this point, the dog flies right through the doggy door in pursuit of the redesigned Beetle.

The ad didn't end there, though. Panning out, the ad is revealed to have been watched in the Mos Eisley Cantina by a group of familiar aliens from the Star Wars universe. They proceed to argue whether the dog or the Vader kid is funnier, at which point the real Darth Vader makes up their minds for them by using the Force.

Whether the dog or Lord Vader is more comedic, you can count on the fact that you'll find a solid selection of new Volkswagen models when you visit Fletcher Jones Volkswagen in person at 1111 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL today. Of course, now we're left to wonder if next year's ad will be titled "Return of the Canine?"