The commercials were a little strange at first, but the ensuing spoofs were hilarious. And all jokes aside,Matthew McConaughey has made a difference for Lincoln.

Advertisements starring the Oscar winner launched in September, and the results have been impressive. The number of customers clicking on Lincoln.com to check out the MKC – the crossover McConaughey pitched – has tripled since the ads began airing, a spokesman told Autoblog.

They also generated 4.4 million views on YouTube and spawned parodies by Ellen DeGeneres, Conan O'Brien, South Parkand Jim Carrey on Saturday Night Live, which racked up another 15 million views.

Most importantly, Lincoln's sales have increased 15 percent through November, helped significantly by the strong launch of the MKC. Without the addition of the MKC, Lincoln's sales would have been essentially flat last year. The MKC has receivedsolid reviews from consumers and the press, though it has had several recalls.

"The overwhelming response to the MKC campaign sparked truly great awareness for Lincoln," Andrew Frick, Lincoln group marketing manager, said in a statement.