Volkswagen lost last year's "

" to become the world's top-selling automaker, but barking dogs may help the German company win the Super Bowl ad war for the second straight year.

Revisiting the Star Wars theme of its hit 2011 Super Bowl spot, Volkswagen last week released a teaser for its upcoming game day ad that features a chorus of dogs -- including a black lab Darth Vader, a terrier Ewok and an adorable but

-- barking to the tune of "Imperial March."

Super Bowl ads cost millions, and while they reach a massive audience and drive conversation, advertisers are learning that their best spots can live an extended life online -- especially if they combine costumed dogs, Star Wars or other forms of Internet gold.

Volkswagen earned rave reviews for "The Force," which ran during the 2011 Super Bowl, a game watched by

people. The ad ended up generating another

. Likewise, Chrysler's critically acclaimed "Born of Fire" commercial featuring Eminem generated

on YouTube last year.

"

," promoted as a teaser for Volkswagen's 2012 Super Bowl spot, already has been viewed 7.2 million times.

Related Content: Chevrolet to run Super Bowl ad from 26-year-old New Yorker