Filed under: Motorsports, Time Warp, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Pass by the local schoolyard and you’re likely to hear a couple of kids arguing over which superhero would win in a fight, but continue down the street to the corner pub and the debate won’t sound much different: Could __XX__ modern athlete beat ___XX___ legend. Of course, for both child and adult, the debate is entirely pointless, but imagination knows no bound… and modern technology can at least heighten the fantasy.

In this case, watchmaker TAG Heuer has taken two of its most famous brand ambassadors, the late, great Steve McQueen and reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and put them together on screen in a fictitious face-off around Le Mans. The race results haven’t yet been determined - there’s a contest you can enter at the link below for a chance to win a new Monaco Gulf Chrono Limited Edition, one of Hamiltion’s F1 helmets, or a chance to participate in an “F1 driving day.” But even if you’re not interested in the contest, you can watch the Robbie Williams-esque video after the jump for a good minute-forty’s worth of entertainment.

[Source: TAG Heuer]

Continue reading VIDEO: TAG Heuer pits Lewis Hamilton against Steve McQueen

VIDEO: TAG Heuer pits Lewis Hamilton against Steve McQueen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows, Special/Limited Editions

The devil may wear Prada, but what does he drive? Playing the field, the Italian fashion house has jumped into bed with both Audi and Hyundai for its foray into the automotive sphere. The outcome of Prada’s venture with Audi has yet to be realized, but Hyundai has revealed this special edition Genesis Sedan it developed with Prada, previewed last November, for debut at the upcoming home-market Seoul motor show.

The Genesis Prada you see here is a one-off, painted a matte-finish purplish-blue with a white “saffiano” leather interior featuring illuminated floors and door panels, along with 20-inch wheels and an “outer antenna with edge shape.” It’s one of three distinct versions that will be auctioned off for charity, so don’t go looking for your own designer edition down at the local Hyundai dealership. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai reveals Prada edition Genesis ahead of Seoul debut

Hyundai reveals Prada edition Genesis ahead of Seoul debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, GM

All the bankruptcy talk surrounding General Motors hasn’t helped the largest U.S. automaker on the showroom floor, as sales have dropped by over 50% in 2009. Without additional incentives, GM sales may fall further with the the Obama administration’s rejection yesterday of the 100-year-old company’s most recent viability plan.

GM is apparently not planning on going quietly into the night, as the automaker is reportedly preparing some big-time incentives to help move metal in the midst of all this bankruptcy talk. Bloomberg is reporting that GM will unveil new incentives on April 1 (no joke) that in many ways mirror the Hyundai Assurance plan. Any worker laid off after purchasing a car or truck will reportedly be able to turn in the vehicle without taking a credit hit.

Another element of GM’s reported incentive plan is backing the residual value of its vehicles. While details are still sketchy, the program would “provide some restitution for customers who are unable to resell their vehicles at a prearranged value when they want a new car or truck.” Depending on the specifics, that could cost the automaker a pretty penny, as good resale value hasn’t been its calling card for some time now despite recent efforts to the contrary like drastically cutting sales to fleets.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Spencer Platt/Getty]

GM to unveil new incentives to assure buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen

Anyone itching to bring home a brand new Volkswagen Rabbit had better act fast. As expected, VeeDub has just confirmed that 2009 will be the last year that the American version of the automaker’s popular hatchback will be called the Rabbit. The renamed 2010 Golf will be shown at next month’s New York Auto Show in production form with an expected sale date here in the States sometime this fall.

Says Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, “The Golf is an iconic nameplate for the Volkswagen Brand and it is known throughout the world. The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling global nameplate with more than 26 million units sold in over 120 countries. Making the change back to Golf is an important step in realigning with our global heritage.”

We couldn’t agree more, which is why we were all left scratching our heads back in 2006 when the German automaker chose to reintroduce the Rabbit name in America for the fifth-gen Golf in the first place. Oh well, that was a mistake that the automaker can easily rectify. Read the official press release after the break.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Officially Official: VW changes Rabbit back to Golf

Officially Official: VW changes Rabbit back to Golf originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Celebrities

Even though he had a long television acting career, you probably don’t remember James Sloyan - but you know his voice - perhaps better than you’d like. Sloyan has been the narrator for every Lexus commercial since the brand’s 1989 launch. Imagine the slogan “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection,” and your mind will probably be a-tumble with images from any of those high-production-value commercials broadcast over the last 20 years.

But Sloyan is with Toyota’s luxury brand no more, having been replaced by James Remar, another actor you’ve seen everywhere but probably don’t know by name. Sloyan has moved on to Mitsubishi, and you can hear his voice right now on radio ads in some markets. So listen out for “One lean, mean MIVEC machine” when he’s talking about the Outlander, and try not to think of sparse piano compositions and champagne glass pyramids.

[Source: Ad Age]

The voice of Lexus is now the voice of Mitsubishi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Honda

The new Honda Insight, while not technically a full parallel hybrid like the Prius (it can cruise on electric power alone but not accelerate), will nevertheless be cross shopped heavily with the heavy weight from Toyota. The Insight’s main selling point is its price, which starts under $20,000, but you wouldn’t know that from Honda’s first Insight ad.

The commercial, called ‘Let it Shine’, was created by the Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam and uses a bank of Insights parked in a grid near the mountains as pixels in a giant LED-like display. When the sun goes down, the headlights begin flickering on and off to create a cutesy animation to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”.

It’s the same kind of creative marketing we’ve come to expect from Honda, which scored its biggest commercial hit with a Honda Accord commercial that showed a Rube Goldberg-like machine created entirely out of car parts. The Insight commercial won’t actually air in the U.S., so you’re best chance to see it is after the jump. We’ve also included a Making Of video that shows just how difficult it was to produce.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading VIDEO: Honda builds giant LED display out of Insights for commercial

VIDEO: Honda builds giant LED display out of Insights for commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s year over year sales dropped by 1% in 2008, and the Colonel is thinking outside the bucket to ensure that the trend is reversed. KFC has taken upon itself to fill potholes in major cities as part of a guerilla marketing campaign to promote its “fresh” brand image. The fast-food giant sent out letters to mayors at several major cities, asking them to participate in the unique programming. As you may expect, the Colonel doesn’t merely want to fill the pocks in the asphalt for charity’s sake, it wants to spray “Re-freshed by KFC” on every patch in nonpermanent street chalk.

The project has already begun on KFC’s home turf in Louisville, KY, and KFC wants to do five major cities in total. We agree that pothole patching is a nice public service for motorists everywhere, but we’re struggling with KFC’s marketing message. Somehow slapping a couple shovels of asphalt on a beat up, worn out street doesn’t make us think of fresh chicken. It makes us think of heat lamps and microwaves.

[Source: Brand Week]

Why did KFC cross the road? To fill potholes, apparently… originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Acura

Perhaps along with the daring it has shown in its styling as of late, Acura has decided to flirt with bold commercial production, albeit arguably with more appealing results.

Not content with another dark, slick, lifestyle-rich spot for its RDX turbo, Acura has gone all Honda on us and created a spot that took 240 hours of shooting alone for thirty seconds of finished product. The Wall Art spot required seventeen painters using 456 gallons of paint to illustrate and re-illustrate a 60-foot by 40-foot canvas around a car that didn’t move. The creative results can be seen after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Acura RDX “Wall Art” commercial and how it was made

VIDEO: Acura RDX “Wall Art” commercial and how it was made originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen

Back in 2006, Volkswagen of America’s public relations department had what they thought was a brilliant idea to rename the fifth-generation Golf as the Rabbit… again. Back when VW’s first front-wheel-drive hatchback replaced the iconic Beetle in the United States, it was introduced as the Rabbit, despite the fact that the rest of the world knew it as the Golf. VeeDub apparently thought that we megalomaniacal Americans preferred our own personalized nameplate over what the rest of the world got. Not anymore.

It seems that the marketing move did little to influence actual sales of the vehicle, so it’s back to the drawing board. According to Car and Driver, when the sixth-generation hatchback hits American shores, probably as a 2010 model, it will once again be christened the Golf, and hopefully for good this time.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Wassership Down: VW seen euthanizing the Rabbit. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai

In just a little bit, Hyundai will be allowing fans and gawkers the rare opportunity to participate in the official press introduction of its new 2010 Genesis Coupe. When new models come to market, automakers typically invite members of the media to some location where they get to listen a presentation on the technical details and marketing plans before going out for a first drive. The information shared during these events eventually gets passed on to you, the readers. Hyundai is holding its Genesis Coupe launch event as this you read this, and now you can join in by tuning in to a live streaming feed right here on the internet.

Those of you looking for insights on the Genny Coupe can head over to http://genesispresspass.com/live/ at 11am EDT. You can even still submit your questions now to the Hyundai executives via a form on the site, and they may be answered live during the Q&A part of the event. Those of you watching online will obviously have to wait for an opportunity to drive the Coupe, but you might learn something new when you tune in.

REMINDER: Hyundai Genesis Coupe press intro live streaming webcast at 11am EDT originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, Earnings/Financials, Tokyo Auto Salon

What if one of the world’s preeminent auto nations threw a party and nobody came? That’s the question on everyone’s minds today as the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) has announced that most of the world’s major automakers have decided to sit out this fall’s show.

We already knew about the Detroit 3 taking a pass, but now, word from Automotive News is that Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo will apparently be skipping out as well. In a news conference that JAMA chairman Satoshi Aoki called a “once-in-a-hundred-years crisis,” the organization confirmed to media members that just 122 exhibitors will hawk their wares - nearly half of 2007’s total of 241. The departure of those manufacturers represents a loss estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars for JAMA and the local economy (if not more), as costs associated with mounting a single show stand often reaches into seven-figures.

Of those 241 parties that still remain, Japan’s eight primary automakers have signed on (Daihatsu, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota), and Hyundai will join as well. On the high-end front, only Alpina, Lotus, Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche have committed.

Rumors swirled as recently as in January that the show might be canceled altogether, but organizers have evidently decided that a scaled-down show is better than no show at all. Other outlets are reporting that JAMA will reduce the event’s Makuhari Messe footprint from four show halls to two. Additionally, public days are reportedly shortening up as well, with the original run of October 23 to November 8 being cut down - the show will now close November 4.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req]

This year’s Tokyo Motor Show? JAMA Be There (but most of the world’s automakers won’t) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Vauxhall, Lifestyle

The folks charged with recasting perceptions of a brand aren’t unlike home run hitters: a lot more misses than hits, but when they do hit it’s often spectacular. This particular at-bat with Vauxhall, however, is probably a foul tip at best. The folks at the brand behind the griffin, whose logo was redesigned last year to be more dynamic and contemporary, has teamed with British shoe designer Jonathan Kelsey to create a Vauxhall Collective “luxury driving set.”

Kelsey is from the Jimmy Choo/Mulberry end of the fashion spectrum, and was asked to create line that celebrated “the great British Road trip.” That’s what he did… if you’re going on a road trip with a ’70s-era Elton John or Liberace. The three pieces - steering wheel cover, studded driving gloves, and keychain - will run you £195 (US $284). If you think these are for you - and you know who you are, but we can’t believe you drive a Vauxhall - there will only be a limited run of 25, so you better get ordering.

[Source: Vauxhall]

Continue reading Vauxhall unveils high-fashion accessories by Jonathan Kelsey

Vauxhall unveils high-fashion accessories by Jonathan Kelsey originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Audi, Lifestyle

It’s official: after General Motors gave up its place in the batter’s box, Audi has become “The official luxury vehicle of the New York Yankees.” For you regular Yankee fans, not much will change, except seeing the Audi logo when you look up at the H&R Block Suite Level and happen upon Audi cars in the Babe Ruth Plaza on occasional display dates. For you Yankees fans who like to spend a lot of money when you see a baseball game, you’ll now be visiting the Audi Yankees Club, where Audi logos will adorn the doors, napkins, brochures and televisions. The partnership will last for three years until the end of the 2011 season.

Audi becomes official luxury vehicle of the New York Yankees originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Trends, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo, Earnings/Financials, Tokyo Auto Salon

Although Volvo has already said that it would not participate in this October’s Tokyo Motor Show, the Swedish automaker’s German contemporaries are reportedly dragging their feet on similar public announcements in an effort to not be the first from their country to do so. According to a brief Automotive News item, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are “unlikely to participate” as part of an effort to limit expenditures, and Volkswagen AG and supplier Bosch are among those said to be on the fence.

Speaking about the pullout possibilities, an unnamed Automobilwoche (AN’s Germanic sister publication) source has said that “No one wants to be in the unpopular position of being the first to announce their exit.” Perhaps, but that didn’t stop Volvo from letting some air out of Tokyo’s balloons, nor did it keep the Detroit 3 from doing the same before them.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

REPORT: German automakers could join others in skipping Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

This Wednesday, March 25, Hyundai will be allowing fans of the new Genesis Coupe a rare opportunity to participate in the press introduction of the new car. When new models come to market, automakers typically invite the media to some location where they get to listen a presentation on the technical details and marketing plans before going out for a first drive. The information shared during these events eventually gets passed on to you, the readers. Hyundai is holding its Genesis Coupe first drive this week, but the pre-drive presentation will be streamed live over the interwebs.

Those of you looking for insights on the Genny coupe can head over to http://genesispresspass.com/live/ on March 25, 2009 at 11am EDT. You can even submit your questions now to the Hyundai executives via a form on the site and they may be answered live during the Q&A part of the event. Those of you watching online will obviously have to wait for an opportunity to drive the coupe, but you might learn something new when you tune in.

[Source: Hyundai]

Live webcast of Hyundai Genesis coupe press intro on Wednesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Saab, Lifestyle

GM has been heavy in the entertainment sponsorship game, with a variety of scripted programs, award shows, and movies at some point being tied to GM product. Bumblebee has undoubtedly paid dividends for the new Camaro, and now the spy drama “Burn Notice,” on USA Network, has done something of the same for Saab.

An online game called “Covert Ops” was created that mirrored the show’s plot line, featuring the main character, Michael Westen, driving around Miami in a Saab 9-3 droptop. Over the course of eight weeks, the game got more and more popular, with a final tally of 50,000 registered users and 500,000 unique visitors having tooled around in the virtual car by the time it was all was said done.

With those kinds of numbers, that means Saab was exposed to nearly 25 times the number of people who actually bought Saabs all of last year. GM hasn’t said whether it will continue Saab promotion on the show, but for the moment you can still get your game on.

[Source: Ad Age]

REPORT: Saab, USA snag 500,000 players with Burn Notice online game originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Commercial Trucks

What? You thought Ford was the only company allowed to exploit the brand power of Harley-Davidson motorcycles? Guess again. The Harley image is up for sale and semi truck maker International is the latest company to buy in. Introducing the official LoneStar Harley-Daviidson Special Edition, a unique semi truck capable of hauling huge loads cross country and doing security at a Rolling Stones concert.

The LoneStar HD trumps its smaller kin, the Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson, in other ways than pure tonnage and maximum towing capacity. The semi includes unique HD additions like the same headlights used on the bikes, more Harley logos than a Sturgis tattoo parlor, custom 24.5-inch wheels with unique lug nuts, 7-inch round exhaust stacks and a complete set of truly gorgeous hooded aluminum gauges. The heavy hauler also features a unique grille and black paint job with silver and orange accenting.

While we’re sure professional truckers experience the open road in a very different way than people who like the heavy bikes, the LoneStar HD Special Edition at least allows the truck driver to feel like one of the gang while he’s working. Be sure to check out an official video and press release after the jump before clicking on the gallery below.

[Source: International Trucks]

Continue reading Nevermind Ford, it’s the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition

Nevermind Ford, it’s the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertibles, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Lamborghini, Lifestyle

Having just returned from the well-heeled shores of Miami for last week’s Kia Soul drive, we know that exotic machinery stacks up on the city’s streets like so much cordwood. In fact, we saw upwards of ten newer Ferraris in the course of an afternoon’s drive (not to mention untold Bentley Continentals and Porsche 911s) - but we didn’t see a single Lamborghini during our entire stay. Not even a Jalpa.

Well with both the housing market and the new car market in the dumpster, the developers at South of Fifth luxury condos and the folks at Lamborghini Miami are understandably keen to change that. As such, they’ve gone and teamed up to offer a “free” Gallardo Spyder with the purchase of an oceanfront luxury beachfront home.

While South of Fifth isn’t being so gauche as to announce the price of their properties, one look at the new digs on the company’s swanky Flash-heavy site would suggest that a Lambo payment is going to be the least of your financial involvements here. We’ve seen these sorts of rolled-up real-estate/automobile deals before, but never on this sort of scale.

If you’re interested, check out the link below, and be sure to hurry - there are only seven of 28 units left.

Oh - one last thing about this deal has us a bit puzzled: Don’t people buy Lamborghinis in part because they want something different from their neighbors? Thanks for the tip, Richard!

[South of Fifth]

One-Stop Miami Vice Living: Lux development offers free Lamborghini with purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Earnings/Financials

With a daily torrent of difficult and unflattering news about the domestic auto industry flowing out of media outlets everywhere (Autoblog included), many General Motors dealers are crying out for a national advertising campaign to stem the tide of negativity.

Critical dealers suggest that the automaker is back on its heels instead of “going out swinging,” and many are calling for a positive ad message like the “Keep America Rolling” campaign that GM rolled out after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. That initiative, you may recall, began a long-running string of zero-interest financing that helped pull sales back out of the dumpster, although critics would suggest that the latter took a toll on both brand equity and resale value.

Back in September, GM did play up their centennial with blustery talk of being ready to lead for the next 100 years, but dealer feedback would seem to suggest that exactly this sort of confident messaging has largely disappeared from GM advertisements, at least on a corporate level. More recently, it launched a Facts and Fiction website in an effort to dispel rumors about its operations.

[Source: AdAge]

Don’t Believe the Hype, America: Dealers urge GM to launch upbeat national ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Toys

We’re chomping at the bit in anticipation of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which debuts nation-wide on June 24. We likely haven’t even seen all the theatrical trailers, yet Paramount and Dreamworks have already declared July 1, 2011 the opening day for the third installment of the Transformers franchise.

Some film franchises these days shoot movies back to back to cut down on production costs and keep momentum, but that isn’t the case with T3. In fact, the third Transformers flick hasn’t even been written yet, nor has a writer been hired. It seems that competition for the best summer release dates is fierce, which forces studios to plan far into the future - before a project is even off the ground. We can’t even think that far ahead yet, so we’re just going to keep our focus on T2, hoping it doesn’t let us down. If it flops, we may not even have a Transformers 3 to worry about. Thanks for the tip, Leigh Ann!

[Source: E Online]

Premature Transformation? Transformers 3 opening July 1, 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle, Celebrities

In dire economic times like these, everyone needs a hero, and Detroit’s automakers are no exception. So, who better to anoint as a savior than the Queen of All Media herself, Oprah Winfrey? The popular talk show host/book club guru/magazine publisher/philanthropist/bazillionaire has been tapped to champion America’s struggling domestic auto industry by none other than President Obama Detroit Free Press columnist Carol Cain.

And why not? Winfrey has a fiercely loyal fan base and unassailable credentials as one of America’s few wholly trusted celebrities. What’s more, she’s even got prior experience promoting the domestic auto industry, as back in 2004, she gave away a fleet of new Pontiac G6s to all 276 members of her studio audience.

Alright, so nobody seems to know what Oprah drives (or more likely, what she is driven in), or whether she is really in-tune with the idea of saving the domestic auto industry in the first place. But we know that Oprah still considers her Pontiac giveaway to be one of her show’s finest-ever moments, and she’s all about people-helping-people, so perhaps there’s some latent goodwill within Harpo’s offices that is ripe for exploitation. Besides, we can’t let such trivialities get in the way of her ascendancy, can we?

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Oprah nominated to save domestic auto industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota, Humor

The Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class, very roomy, relatively affordable and Hanna Montana drives one. Maybe that last point is why some people are beginning to show hostility towards the car that’s become the Kleenex of hybrids.

Andy Richter and James Adomain of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater have played off the Prius backlash in a faux car commercial pitting the Hyundai Elantra against Toyota’s famous hybrid. Richter, formerly of Late Night with Conan O’Brien fame and not much since, plays the part of the frugal-minded Hyundai owner with an underlying anger issue, while Adomain gets all spiffed up to play the snobbish know-it-all with the Nickel Hydride battery pack. Forget about the totally erroneous statistics and the bogus sticker prices, just wait for the punch line. It’s not the driveway shooting, but rather the fact this commercial is actually for the Nissan Sentra. Follow the jump to see it for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Prius backlash bubbles over in comedy sketch

VIDEO: Prius backlash bubbles over in comedy sketch originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Economy, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Kia

The original Hampster Dance was born in 1998 and featured an endless loop of four hamsters dancing to the song “Whistle Stop” by Roger Miller. One of the first internet memes to really explode in popularity, the Hampster Dance and its simple animated GIFs look positively low tech by today’s standards, but we remember the first time we saw it and were ROFL for hours.

Kia has come along and appropriated the domesticated rodents for a commercial promoting the new Soul. A compact, four-door, wagon-type vehicle in the vein of the Scion xB, the Soul fits four hamsters comfortably and they clearly enjoy the car’s iPod connectivity. Those hamsters not riding in a Soul, however, get a hamster wheel, which obviously won’t get them very far. The commercial is cute and playful, though we’re suing Kia if our nightmares about giant hamsters comes back.

Follow the jump to watch anthropomorphized hamsters drive a Kia Soul.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Kia Soul reinterprets the Hampster Dance

VIDEO: Kia Soul reinterprets the Hampster Dance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertibles, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen, Celebrities, Humor

Proving once again that Volkswagen is clearly aware that its New Beetle plays to a predominantly female demographic is this very pink present created for Barbie’s 50th Birthday. The full-size Malibu Barbie New Beetle Convertible features sparkling pink paint, custom white Katzkin leather, rhinestone studding, a lipstick-toned dipstick (*ahem*), and… wait for it… a motorized vanity in the trunk. Apparently, a jet-setting gal needs a car in every port, as Barbie will have access to the VW stateside when she and Ken aren’t gallivanting off in her Milan-based Fiat 500.

The droptop was presented at Barbie’s real-life Malibu Dream House (who knew?) a 3,500 square-foot Jonathan Adler-designed residence in… where else… Malibu, California. As part of the festivities, celebrity guests (including supermodel Heidi Klum, pictured) received a grab bag with Barbie sunglasses, handbags, and “tiny shoes.” Apparently, our invitation got lost in the mail. Press release after the jump, high-res shots below.

Continue reading Barbie gets another car for birthday: Pink VW New Beetle Convertible

Barbie gets another car for birthday: Pink VW New Beetle Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Earnings/Financials

As part of a substantial investment in the arts, General Motors has maintained an ongoing funding relationship with PBS filmmaker Ken Burns (right) for 22 years. As it has with several other high-profile endorsements of the creative and sporting communities, however, the struggling automaker is pulling the plug on its endorsement deal of the award-winning documentarian. While details of the ongoing arrangement haven’t been made available, the Detroit News indicates that the automaker has “spent millions underwriting Burns’ films,” an arrangement that will end with his forthcoming six-part series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” that airs this Fall.

The Ken Burns announcement is just the latest in a steady parade of extracurricular funding efforts that GM has been forced to cut, including sponsorship of major televised events (Super Bowl, Emmy Awards, Academy Awards), product endorsement deals (Tiger Woods) and corporate benefactor roles (Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts etc.).

The trickledown effect rolls on…

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Frederick M. Brown/Getty]

That’s a Wrap: After 22-years, GM ending Ken Burns funding originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

When you think of the word “hybrid,” what vehicle pops into your mind? Likely, it’s the Toyota Prius, and that’s what they call a really big win for the marketing department. Much of the success that Toyota’s seminal hybrid model has achieved has been attributed to its unique styling, which sets the fuel-saver apart from other manufacturers’ hybrids, making the ecomobile instantly recognizable. Those that care about saving the planet - or at least those who like the appearance of caring - often choose the Prius due to its iconic shape and name.

Woong-chul Yang, president of R&D for Hyundai-Kia Motors, says, “People who drive a hybrid like to be differentiated.” Sounds painful. In any case, the automaker is reportedly working on giving their first hybrid model, which will be based on the Sonata midsize sedan, a distinct shape. To go along with the unique profile, the Korean hybrid may get a different name to further distance it from its non-hybrid sibling.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Hyundai Prius? Hybrid Sonata could have distinct shape, different name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Toys

Ford is looking to drum up some extra interest in its F-150 SVT Raptor off-road specialist ahead of its actual on-sale date (which is still only listed as “coming soon”) with the introduction of a new dedicated microsite that you can check out here. Features on the new web destination include a place to learn what makes the Raptor different from the rest of the F-150 lineup, along with videos, a gallery and an online tool to build your own.

Still not enough to whet your appetite? According to Brian Bell, Ford’s F-150 consumer marketing manager, “We want people to understand the unique capability of this truck, that it can do things that other trucks just can’t.” To that end, Ford has been bringing an off-road driving simulator to the assorted U.S. auto shows that we’ve been following over the last few months, and the Blue Oval will evidently continue doing this on through the rest of the 2009 circuit. Give it a shot, it’s good fun.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Here’s Mud In Your Eye: Ford Raptor gets new microsite

Here’s Mud In Your Eye: Ford Raptor gets new microsite originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Despite the recession, tumbling auto sales and an uncertain future, good cars are still being made. The 2010 Ford Fusion is one example. The Fusion Sport just spent a week in the Autoblog Garage and we’re in the midst of reviewing the rest of the lineup, as well.

Whether it’s from a domestic or import, good product needs to be talked about during these troubled times, because it’s one thing that can get people back into show rooms and buying again. Ford has launched a new ad campaign to get people talking about the 2010 Fusion that kicks off with three commercials you may or may not have seen on TV yet. The “We Speak” commercials are fairly simple in execution, show a lot of the car and two out of the three spots hit home the message that the Fusion is the most fuel efficient mid-size vehicle sold in the U.S. You may say yay or nay on how effective the commercials will be, but we’re talking about them, right? Follow the jump to view all three for yourself and let us know what you have to say in the comments.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford speaks Fusion in new ad campaign

VIDEO: Ford speaks Fusion in new ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising

There will be no USF1 in Formula 1 racing this year - or any year for that matter. A full year before the new American team was set to take to the track in 2010, they have been shot down by the very series they planned to compete in. But before you get too upset and think this is a case of Anti-American bias or something, know that it is just the name that the sanctioning body was objecting to.

Apparently Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management (FOM) weren’t overly fond of the use of “F1″ in the team’s initially stated name. So it’s out with USF1 and in with USGPE, which stands for US Grand Prix Engineering. We wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Pontiac is now threatening a lawsuit, or perhaps sponsorship.

Just for clarification, Formula 1 has allowed “F1″ in a team’s name, but only if the word “Team” is also used. The lone exception is Williams, which officially goes by WilliamsF1. In related news, Force India was asked to revise their logo because “FI” looks too much like “F1″. The team will now use a lowercase “i” in the logo to avoid confusion with the series. Got all that? So USF1 is now USGPE and Force India is now using “Fi” instead of “FI”. Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: F1-Live]

Ecclestone “requests” USF1 name change, US Grand Prix Engineering born originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Marketing/Advertising, Maserati, UK, Special/Limited Editions

Call it the Italian Express by American Express for British Execs. Maserati and American Express have just announced a special edition Quattroporte that features the AE Centurion logo in several strategic locations on the car. This limited edition model is officially known as the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series. Presented to AE Black cardholders in the U.K., the exclusive sedan will be available in left- and right-hand drive, and in any color so long as it’s black Nero Carbonio (carbon black).

As the post-jump press release tells us, it features a bespoke Bianco Polare (polar white) Poltrona Frau (we looked it up, it’s an upscale Italian furniture maker) leather interior with an embossed Centurion logo on the headrests, a dash plaque, titanium colo(u)red trim and 20-inch polished wheels. The QP for Centurian will be available in either 4.2-liter 400-horsepower regular strength, or 4.7-liter 430-hp extra bold flavor, with prices starting at £88,315 (around $125k USD) for the former and £94,185 ($133k) for the latter in the UK. More details after the jump and a full gallery available by clicking on any image.

Continue reading Irony: Maserati and American Express to offer special Centurion model - for U.K. customers

Irony: Maserati and American Express to offer special Centurion model - for U.K. customers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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