Nashville-based comedian Nate Bargatze has a new gig: convincing Americans that it’s okay not to know how to take care of their own vehicles. The Ford Motor Company announced Monday that Bargatze will front its new “Real Parts. Real Pros. Real Easy” customer service campaign.
In the ad, Bargatze says, “Look, I don’t know how to take care of my truck. But the technicians at Ford Service — they do.”
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker said the campaign uses Bargatze’s relatable humor to make car servicing feel less intimidating, while pointing customers toward its factory-trained technicians, genuine parts and convenient service options.
Bargatze told Fox News Digital the partnership was an easy fit. “I haven’t really done a lot of stuff like this,” he said, adding that he was “super excited” when Ford approached him. “I’m a big Ford [fan]. I have a Ford Bronco. I love Ford — it’s an iconic company. They’ve been around for a long time.”
He said trust is the foundation of the appeal. “I think Ford’s done the best at it. And especially with their service business, I think they’re doing a great job. It’s an iconic brand that’s also evolving and moving forward.”
Bargatze pointed to his own experience owning a Ford Bronco, saying it “gets fixed a lot easier when they come to your house.” He also praised the simplicity of the company’s approach: “They use all real Ford parts. … The pros are trained by Ford.”
A comedian who avoids the noise
Bargatze, known for clean, family-friendly comedy, said he sees a connection between Ford’s straightforward approach and his own approach to stand-up. He said modern life often feels overly “polarizing” and “extreme,” when in reality most people are just “taking their kids to school” and juggling soccer games and baseball practice.
“I think people want to take a breath, they want to take a step back,” he said. “Not everything needs to be so polarizing. Things can still be just simpler.”
He does not include politics in his act. “It’s a ton of people [just] coming out, and they get to have fun, and they get to laugh … and I want to be there for them,” he said, adding that his shows offer audiences “a moment to not worry about the stresses of your life.”
That, he said, is where the Ford partnership lines up with his own values. “It fits! Ford has their parts. So when you buy a Ford car, it’s not complicated. You have it [all] from one place… So I think it’s a big trust issue.”
He added that the same principle guides his career choices. “It’s their values and what they stand for and the trust that they have — that’s exactly what I want to do with making movies [and] doing stand-up. I want people to be able to rely on it and know what to expect, and not be surprised by it. And just be trusted.”
Bargatze described his comedic style as simple and self-deprecating. “I make fun of me. I make fun of myself … and I try not to go outwards,” he said. “When you keep it that simple, that’s why it works. No one feels like when they come to the show that it’s going to be about them.”
He said that authenticity is why he believes stand-up comedy endures. “It can’t get any more authentic than just a person talking to an audience.”
