Glenn Reynolds asks a salient question:

THE INSTA-DAUGHTER JUST SAW THE AUDI ‘GREEN POLICE’ COMMERCIAL for the first time. She couldn’t believe it was supposed to make you like Audi. Her reaction: “I’d like to beat those people with clubs.”

Yeah, I don’t think it was much of an ad. Everybody’s talking about it, but do they want to buy an Audi as a result?

Reynolds expects it to fail, but I'm not so sure.

The was clearly a case of segment marketing--addressed to a specific group of prospective customers who share a concern about their 'green image'.

Don't think they exist? Consider that the Prius, an odd-looking vehicle by any reasonable standard, outsells in stealth cousins (i.e. normal outside, hybrid inside...) by a good margin. Apparently people don't just want a hybrid car, they want to be seen driving a hybrid car.

The Audi A3 TDI sells for around 30K--an upscale car that appeals to what we used to call yuppies.

Its notable that the political demographic for this group is "Gentry Liberal". The 'Green Police' are a reality in this market segment, which operates in social environments where being seen driving a 'green' car has affirmative advantages as well as being a shield against unwanted criticism.

Privately, I suspect a lot of Prius-driving holier-than-thou types yearn for a more trick ride. Audi is simply providing a more attractive alternative without sacrificing the saintly aura.