Viral Van Damme Volvo ad was recorded on Spanish 'Ghost Airport' now up for sale, starting at $150 million

Volvo Trucks
Volvo Trucks - The Epic Split feat. Van Damme (Live Test 6)

Volvo Trucks made headlines in November, when a video commercial featuring martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme went viral. In the video, Van Damme can be seen making a split between two big rigs driving in reverse as the sun is rising. The abandoned 'ghost airport' in Spain, where the video was shot, is now up for sale.

Ciudad Real Central Airport opened in 2008 as an ambitious project located some 50 minutes high-speed train ride from downtown Madrid, making it the perfect location for an airport, or so it was thought. The airport features a long 13,123 feet (4,000 meter) runway, which can handle planes like the superjumbo Airbus A380.

In the midst of Spain's economic dip however, the airport's life was cut short, and the last scheduled flight took place three years later in December, 2011. In 2012, management decided to cease operations completely, and now the airport that cost approximately $1.5 billion to build is up for sale at the starting price of $150 million.

Van Damme's stunt, which according to Volvo Trucks was shot in a single take, has currently been seen by over 59 million viewers on YouTube, where it went viral after being published on November 14.

Volvo Trucks claims the stunt was completely real, and that the trucks were really driving in reverse. However, they admit that Van Damme was fitted with extensive safety equipment which is hidden from view in the video. Wall Street Journal blogger Barbara Chai, reports that the rear-view mirrors were fitted with hidden platforms where Van Damme could stand safely.

According to Volvo Trucks, the live video was a test, set up "to demonstrate the precision and directional stability of Volvo Dynamic Steering", a technology created in order to make the new Volvo FM truck easier to drive.

If you somehow missed Van Damme's stunt at the ghost airport, make sure to watch the video above.

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