Thanks to ArtInfo-SEA for tweeting their link!
Volkswagen Group used the microfilm Extreme Pursuit featuring Keanu Reeves, Jing Boran (Chinese singer) and Lam Suet (Hong Kong actor) to market 5 of their cars to Chinese audiences. In this case the product placement of the cars in this microfilm were also featured in Man of Tai Chi.
In the microfilm, the story revolves around four boxers who avenge their leader who is killed by Reeves’ character Donaka. Mr. Reeves said the following about Extreme Pursuit:
“It is a chapter of a story that started for me with the Volkswagen Group over a year ago in connection and cooperation with my first feature I directed here in China.”
With respect to the tie in with Man of Tai Chi, Mr. Reeves said:
“…the microfilm allowed him to extend the story of each character with a designated car, and that it gave him “an opportunity to cast a car in a film.”
The entire article can be read here. JingDaily has posted a similar article.