Maybe we're just disagreeing semantics, but that entire commercial was about the Detroit-ness or American-ness of the car, right? I don't think I associate Detroit with quality automobiles. I could deal with a commercial that is only "Japan-ness" because that says reliability or "German-ness" because that says luxury.
I guess I feel like, because they haven't earned the brand association yet, they should be selling me on the specific benefits rather than brand. Without the specific benefits, and my belief that Detroit isn't a strong brand, the commercial feels to me like an attempt to pull on patriotism.
The feel I got from the commercial was more along the lines of....."Forget what you think you know about automobile manufactuerers - we're a bunch of hardworking, badass motha fuckers who've been to hell and back, we know how to make a fucking car! While the germans are drinking beer and the japanese are eating sushi, we're fucking hustling and now we're back!"