Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

Click above to view the video after the jump

Question for BMW owners: Have you ever been so excited about your Bavarian beauty that you went all Tom Wopat and dove into the driver seat without opening the door? We’ve been in quite a few Bimmers ourselves, and while the driving experience is usually pretty damn good, we’ve always just opened the door.

After the jump, a new commercial gets creative by showing BMW owners of all walks of life getting physical with their German wheels. If a Golden Girl jumping through the X5’s moonroof and a guy leaping off a roof into a 1 Series makes you want to perform stupid stunts with your BMW, please reconsider, and if you still must, kindly make sure to have cameras rolling. We’re sure Tom Bergeron is anxiously awaiting your video.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: People get all jumpy when it comes to their new BMWs

VIDEO: People get all jumpy when it comes to their new BMWs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

Although auto industry money is a bit tight at the moment, in order to sell vehicles, automakers have to buy advertising. Lots of advertising, in big, expensive campaigns with high production values and creative that’s at the vanguard of style. Advertising agencies that can handle the needs of giant clientele with international brands are still happy to welcome automotive accounts through the doors.

Advertising Age has taken a look at the still-big auto advertising business and what fifteen assorted manufacturers drop on advertising per year. Landing one of these big vehicular fishes would surely make an account executive smile, though AdAge rightly posits that some of are sexier than others. Toyota spends the most at more than $800 million, with Ford coming in second at nearly $700 million. The biggest accounts don’t seem to be in any danger of having their deals come up for review, however, so it may be easier to poach someone who’s already looking, like Chrysler or Volvo. Hit the link for all the figures.

[Source: Advertising Age]

What’s Worth What? AdAge looks at values of automakers’ marketing accounts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising

How many low-production exotic supercars have we had to gaze at longingly from across the ocean? The prohibitively high cost of homologation for the U.S. market has kept more than a few niche automakers away. Even the mighty McLaren F1 had to be brought in through loopholes, with considerable delays, costs and modifications. But the new McLaren MP4-12C won’t follow the same path, as the racing outfit’s nascent road car division has revealed its strategy for worldwide distribution, and North America is figuring large in its plans.

The company has just announced the appointment of regional managers for both North America and Europe as well as the Middle East and Africa, taking its worldwide distribution by the horns. McLaren North America will be based in the New York area and will be headed by one Anthony Joseph, a former regional manager for Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati, whose first task will be the establishment of ten dealer franchises in the United States and Canada. Of course, McLaren first needs to begin production of the MP4-12C, its initial new offering, with sales projected to begin in the spring of 2011. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading MP4-12C - Coming to America: McLaren Automotive sets up North American distribution

MP4-12C - Coming to America: McLaren Automotive sets up North American distribution originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Toys/Games

In terms of tracks, we’d guess that while the Nürburgring gets the most press, Laguna Seca is number two. And with good reason, as Mazda’s Raceway is fast, technical, beautiful and challenging. Plus, because the famed track’s in Caramel, California, you get gorgeous, picture postcard weather for ten months of the year. If not more. Then, of course, there’s the famous Corkscrew, and all of the hijinks that it ensures.

So large is Laguna’s legend that Sony is now using to the track to sell its newly PSP ported version of Gran Turismo, the ever popular racing game. And as far as commercials go, this is one of the few we wish were a few minutes longer. The ‘vert takes place on track at Laguna Seca where a Corvette ZR1 is chasing down a Ford GT and Nissan GT-R. And is that Tanner Foust? We think it is. Also, bonus points for whoever can identify the car the Blue Devil passes at the very beginning. Okay, we’ve stalled long enough. Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something.

VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Ford

Ford and Microsoft, sittin’ in a tree… right, you know the rest. With the official October 22nd launch of Windows 7 right around the corner, the Blue Oval has reportedly pledged to support the Washington-based software company’s new operating system however it can.

That support will include upgrading all of Ford’s own computers from whatever version of Windows they happen to be running (any bets that Ford never made a wholesale switch to Vista?) to the new release. Also making the switch will be Continental Airlines, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Intel.

Further, these selected companies are currently meeting with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to discuss how else they can help promote Windows 7. Ford’s tie-in with the house that Bill built stems from the fact that the two companies paired up to launch Ford’s excellent SYNC infotainment system back in 2007.

[Source: Auto Observer, Bloomberg]

SYNC You Very Much: Ford to help Microsoft promote Windows 7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Earlier this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we got our first glimpse at Lexus’ LF-Ch, a five-door hatchback concept. The car is said to presage a premium hatchback model for Toyota’s upscale line - but that model isn’t likely to come to the U.S. - word is that the production model is being crafted with Europeans in mind. That’s something of a pity considering how visually dynamic the LF-Ch is, but not unexpected considering the chilly sales reception premium hatchbacks have received in the States - Mini excepted.

In any case, if you’re interested in seeing something like the LF-Ch in American Lexus showrooms, while we would normally suggest that your best course of action would be to inundate Lexus with pleading love letters, syrupy poetry, and, well, whatever else you care to cram into an email or phone call, this time, Lexus has set up a feedback channel of sorts for the LF-Ch on its website. It’s actually a survey that asks rather generic questions like “Which angle of the car do you like best?” and “Do you like the exterior color?” Yet it also asks meatier questions, like whether the showcar’s five-door bodystyle is an attribute or a demerit, or whether hybrid technology for a car like the LF-Ch would be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.

Us? We’re in favor of anything that might invigorate Lexus’ traditionally safe-as-houses lineup. You refresh your memory by checking out our high-res below before clicking on the link below to tell Lexus how you feel.

[Source: Lexus]

Want to see a production LF-Ch make it to American showrooms? Tell Lexus. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Pontiac, Specialty

The Pontiac GTO is a muscle car legend. As the car that’s most often credited with kicking off the trend of putting the biggest available engine in the smallest available body, the praise and adoration are well-deserved. Despite the reality that the Goat wasn’t always the fastest ride available, Pontiac’s performer was an instant hit and it carried that momentum through the early 1970s.

A good portion of Pontiac’s success with the GTO can be attributed to Jim Wangers, who served as the brand’s chief marketing manager when the GTO was first released in 1964. It comes as no surprise, then, that Wangers’ name and endorsement was sought by Big 3 Performance, which is launching a new restomod based on the 1969 Pontiac GTO.

Changes to the original Goat’s cosmetic appearance are minor, including wider hood scoops and a Trans Am-style ducktail spoiler. Inside, a custom dash and audio system join embroidered Recaro seats and GPS navigation. Holding it all up is a custom chassis fitted with Corvette bits up front and a tried-and-true Ford 9-inch rear end. Revised Pontiac Rally II wheels round out the visual package.

The car’s powertrain gets a complete workover with a Butler Performance 505 cubic inch Pontiac V8 that’s expected to put out around 700 horsepower. Shifting duties are handled by the same six-speed manual transmission used in the Dodge Viper. It’s not yet clear when the Wangers GTO will be available and how much it’ll cost, but early projections put the car at around $130,000 to $140,000.

[Source: Big 3 Performance via Detroit News]

Jim Wangers back in the business of selling the Pontiac GTO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota, Australia

Toyota made plenty of noise with the beefy commercials that launched the latest Tundra, but since then, it’s been relatively quiet from the “Oh, what a feeling!” guys and gals.

Thankfully, there’s Australia. For the AU market, Toyota’s agency has whipped up a witty campaign that depicts our kind of land, and our kind of trucks. This “Nothing Soft Gets In” spot shows a particularly strict bunch of border patrol guards that dispose of poodles and disallow the tying of a sweater around one’s neck. Awesome. Watching a bunch of Oz-market Toyota Prados being used for more than mall duty is equally entertaining, too. Check it out for yourself, after the jump.

[Source: Toyota via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota trucks - Nothing soft gets in

VIDEO: Toyota trucks - Nothing soft gets in originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Scion

Apparently, those with graying temples are attracted to cars that automakers had originally intended for younger audiences. This trend was most recently noticed with Honda Element and Scion xB, which featured heavily youth-slanted marketing schemes but were often purchased by those with a bit more experience under their belts.

By now, it’s clear that trend is here to stay. According to USA Today, each automaker that offers a box-it-came-in mobile here in the United States - a list that includes the Honda Element, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube and Scion xB - reports that the average buyer is over the age of 40 and brings home over $60,000 per year.

Not surprisingly, it’s not just the looks of these cars that attracts older buyers. Experts from AutoPacific and Edmunds suggest that the practical nature of such a design and its low price are key components of the genre’s success. Just as long as somebody is buying them, we’re pretty confident the boxy-but-cheap segment is here to stay.

[Source: USA Today]

REPORT: Once again, the Nissan Cube proves that it’s hip (for older folks) to be square originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Humor

Today’s Funny Car Commercial of the Day comes from Brondes Ford, which just so happens to hail from this particular blogger’s home town of Toledo, Ohio - a city that is best known in automotive circles as the home of Jeep and the Dana Corporation. Judging by this commercial, Brondes Ford may hold the top spot in Northwest Ohio when it comes to funny dealership advertisements.

Anyone from Toledo will recognize the saying, “There goes another one…”, and the phrase is hijacked here by Brondes. In this advertisement, though, the catchy jingle takes on a completely new meaning that involves midgets, cannons and a distinct lack of political correctness. Got your interest piqued? Click past the break to watch the video and visit veryfunnyads.com for more funny car commercials. Warning: Video autoplays.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Funny Car Commercial of the Day - Brondes Ford, midgets and cannons

VIDEO: Funny Car Commercial of the Day - Brondes Ford, midgets and cannons originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Aston Martin, Luxury

First of all, does Aston Martin really need a Facebook page? Really? Is the brand actually helped by comments like this, “Aston Martins…the most sexy sports car ever manufactured;)sooo sexy even sexier in red!” We’re guessing no. Then again, Aston’s relentless pursuit of James Bond marketing hoopla (remember, in Fleming’s books, 007 typically drove Bentleys) does show that they like their cars in the public eye. Plus, social networking is the new black PR. And unlike a certain Honda, it seems that most Facebookers like the way that Aston Martins look.

Case in point: Aston has just dropped eleven pics of the long-anticipated four-door Rapide onto its Facebook profile. Granted, these are the same production pics we got with the press materials in Frankfurt, but still. Now they’re on Facebook, which we guess is the natural progression of things. Also, any of you find anything about the pictures a little off-putting? Like how the family in them just ain’t that British looking? In fact, they appear kinda more like a Scandinavian dream. Something’s just… off. Thanks to Christopher for the tip!

[Source: Facebook]

Aston Martin Rapide shows off its pretty self on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac

It looks like a group of General Motors dealers aren’t fond of the company’s new 60-day satisfaction guarantee. In fact, they dislike it so much that about 3.5 percent of the General dealers are opting out of the program, according to the financial site 24/7 Wall St. Although GM has stated it will foot the bill for returns, it appears there’s enough concern (or confusion) that it’s causing a car-fuffle.

According to the report, at least 149 of the company’s 4,000 dealers will let other retailers handle the claims. Other reports put the number of non-participating dealers even higher. The 24/7 Wall St. crew phoned a few dealers to find out why they weren’t participating, and the reasons cited included everything from not liking the new ads featuring Ed “I don’t know anything about cars” Whitacre to beliefs that the program sends a message of desperation (duh), and fears that there will be financial risks to the dealers.

The promotion allows a buyer to return a new Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac after 30 days of ownership, with GM refunding the purchase price minus any rebates and sales tax as long as the car is returned before the 60th day of ownership. It does seem like there’s plenty of potential for the campaign to backfire, but we were a bit surprised that so many dealers would choose to pass on the promotion altogether.

[Source: 24/7 Wall St.]

REPORT: GM dealers opting out of 60 day satisfaction guarantee? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Audi, Toys/Games, Alternative Fuel

You might expect a car with four motors and 3,319 lb-ft of torque to take a great deal of electronics and skill with the right foot to drive properly. If so, you got the electronics part right at least: Audi has created a virtual world for its e-tron electric car that will be featured in Playstation Home later this year.

The action takes place in Audi Space, the digital realm that Audi has built inside the Playstation Home online community. The car is featured in the Vertical Run driving game, featuring a track with enough dimensions to impress Speed Racer. The point of the game is to gather enough electrical energy to get the highest top speed, and if you’re one of the best, you’ll get one of the skyscraper apartments in Audi town.

It will probably be the closest anyone will get to driving an e-tron for years — if ever — so if you’re an Audi-phile who’s been looking for a reason to buy a PS3, here’s your card. For the full scoop, check out the press release after the jump, and you can see the car again in the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Want to take the Audi e-tron for a test drive? Grab your Playstation 3

Want to take the Audi e-tron for a test drive? Grab your Playstation 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Buick, GM, GMC

By now we’ve all seen the commercial for General Motors that features the company’s new chairman, Ed Whitacre, introducing its “Satisfaction Guaranteed” 60-day return program. Good stuff, but that commercial was just an opening salvo in the company’s upcoming marketing assault. We’ve got the next four commercials for you right here, set to air late Sunday evening during The Emmys and NFL games. We particularly like the one above that compares the new GMC Terrain to the Mini Cooper S with an automatic transmission since both get 32 mpg highway (NOTE: a Cooper S with a manual achieves 34 mpg highway). Sure, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the stark contrast in size makes a big point. What’s even more interesting than their matching highway mpg numbers is that the Mini’s 23 mpg city is just 1 mpg better than the Terrain. Follow the jump to the other three new GM commercials that will air this weekend, one of which directly compares the 2010 Buick LaCrosse to a Lexus ES350.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading VIDEO: Four new GM commercials airing this weekend, check ‘em out early

VIDEO: Four new GM commercials airing this weekend, check ‘em out early originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Ford

Chrysler isn’t happy with its current marketing partner BBDO, and the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker has put the word out that it would like some fresh perspective. Among the suitors vying for the $1.1 billion account is Grey, a London-based ad agency under the ownership of holding company WPP. Grey was reportedly scheduled to pitch their new ideas to the Pentastar on September 22nd, but the agency seems to have hit a Tsunami-sized snag.

WPP is the agency of choice for Ford Motor Company, and Ad Age says the nations 11th largest advertiser isn’t keen on the idea of sharing its resource with its cross-town rival. If this story is true, we’re sure WPP wasn’t all to happy with the Blue Oval, but when you spend $1.9 billion per year on advertising, you tend to have a bit of pull with your suppliers. And if you spend that much money, why would you want to share your ad company’s creative talent with a competitor? Chrysler’s ad deal with BBDO runs through January of 2010.

[Source: Ad Age]

REPORT: Ford pushes ad agency to cancel bid for Chrysler work originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Driving with a beer in hand is just bad form. But driving a beer? Well, that’s just cantastic!

Our colleagues at Hemmings Auto Blogs turned up a keg’s worth of photos and information about these Beetle-based beermobiles from the 1980s. A Florida company called Automotive Innovations owned by Ron Wharton created the cars for the Stroh Brewery Company for promotional use, with one leading a daily parade at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tenn.

The builder was granted an exemption from federal safety standards and were limited to building only 300 of the fiberglass-bodied cars a year. Each one was given a new title as a Pop Top Can Car.

Check out our gallery below, then click on over to Hemmings for many more photos of the cars, including orange-juice, motor oil and Mountain Dew themed models.

[Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs]

Under The Influence: Pop Top Can Cars are tin cans on wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Toyota

Here in the U.S., the advertising campaign for the 2010 Toyota Prius is all about shiny happy dancing people-flowers and that hypnotic mind-control song that plays in the background. It’s humble. It’s green. It’s all very weird. But there’s no disputing the message: if you love the Earth, you want a Prius. And a tree costume.

On Toyota’s Japanese homepage, the message is more assertive. As you can see above, Kal-El - a.k.a. Superman - thinks the 2010 Prius is a Super Hybrid Car (all together now, with feeling: “SUPER HYBORIDOCAR!”). Seriously. Clark Kent is on the case in the TV commercial after the jump. Though many seem to like Toyota’s American Prius advertising campaign, we think the Man of Steel is so much better than the neo-hippie Cirque du Soleil campaign we have here in the States, where Superman, you know, lives.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading VIDEO: The JDM Toyota Prius is Superman. Or something

VIDEO: The JDM Toyota Prius is Superman. Or something originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Fiat, Humor

For today’s Funny Car Commercial of the Day, we take a trip into another land where automobile drivers often find it necessary to share the road with their fellow human-powered, two-wheeled travelers. We wouldn’t know, having lived right here in the U.S. of A. our whole lives, but apparently bicyclists in South Africa happen to have a few irritating habits… like using the hood of your car as a means to balance themselves while waiting for the light to change.

If the commercial pasted after the break is any indication, perhaps the aforementioned practice isn’t such a good idea. Consider yourself warned: unclip from your pedals and put your feet on the ground - it’s safer that way. Stay tuned for another funny car commercial on this space in short order and click on over to veryfunnyads.com for more. *Warning: video autoplays.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Fiat versus the bicycle

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Fiat versus the bicycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Buick

When Bob Lutz came to General Motors, he was charged with turning around the company’s unimaginative product development. In Maximum Bob part deux, GM’s most senior leader is turning his attention to marketing, where the Detroit automaker has been less than cutting edge. Lutz appears to be spending a lot of his time focusing on Buick, a brand turning the corner in terms of product while also simultaneously messing the bed with those awful “Take a look at me now” commercials that have drawn the praise of absolutely nobody.

Blogger Bob is set to unveil an all new marketing campaign for Buick titled “The new class of world class,” which aims to sell new products like the critically acclaimed 2010 LaCrosse. Lutz has said that he wants the new commercials to better convey the design and function of the Buick lineup. He seems to like what he sees from the new spots, which have yet to be aired. Automotive News quoted Lutz as calling the spots “aggressive stuff.” We’re looking forward to to seeing them ourselves, as long as they don’t involve an annoying guy with a bull horn and an Enclave by the pool.

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

Buick’s New Tagline: “The new class of world class” originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Diesel

Yes, this really is the new mascot for Ford’s 6.7-liter turbodiesel Scorpion V8 engine. We thought General Motors had the inside track on all Transformers-related marketing goods, but it seems Ford may have had Scorponok on the brain when it set out to design this particular bit of ’80s rock band-inspired figure.

Our friends at PickupTrucks.com report that the mechanized Scorpion mascot was designed using actual diagrams of the diesel engine’s internal bits and pieces. Note the engine block body, connecting rod pinchers and the tail that protrudes from the turbocharger. Yeah, it’s a bit odd… but as children of the ’80s, we kinda dig it in an oddball nostalgic kind of way. We’ll take ours silkscreened on a plain white t-shirt to be worn at the next local swap meet.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

New Ford Scorpion mascot looks like lost Journey LP cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

The Ford Focus is an automotive study in duality. Europeans get a really good, second generation version of Ford’s C-segment wunderkind, while motorists here in the U.S. make do with an updated family based on the first-generation model. Actually, we call the second-gen Focus the “Euro” model, but the fact is that most of the free world receives the newer, superior model, while America waits patiently for the 2011 model to come hither. Our Mexican neighbors to the south have nothing to wait for, for in the land of Pancho Villa, the upgraded Focus is the Focus of record.

Beyond the jump is the latest commercial for the Focus, and it’s a good one. For starters, Ford’s marketing team chose some sweet tunes for the commercial’s sound track. Here’s a hint on the song: you’ll want to wax vintage automobiles and paint acres of fencing as soon as you hear it.

The commercial appears to be some sort of Skip-Barber-meets-Tim-Burton driving school, with a Bourne Supremacy-style pursuit and an ass-kicking parallel parking job. At the end of the video, members of the Mexico viewing audience gets a quick glimpse of a lime green 2010 Focus RS in all its 300 horsepower glory. Hit the jump to view the video - and if you can’t remember where you’ve heard that soundtrack before, watch the second video as well. Thanks for the tip, Miguel!

[Source: Ford via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mexican Ford Focus commercial features familiar soundtrack, surprise ending

VIDEO: Mexican Ford Focus commercial features familiar soundtrack, surprise ending originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, UK

The people have spoken. (Well, the British anyway. But they’re people, too). And according to a public opinion survey, Ferrari has the most iconic badge among exotic automakers.

The poll in question was conducted by European telecom company Orange for the MPH Top Gear Live show, a sort of live-action performance car show held in car-crazed England. Ferrari was identified far and away as the most recognizable of car logos, garnering nearly half the votes. Aston Martin came in second with a quarter of the votes, edging out Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche, while Maserati, Spyker, Lotus, Koenigsegg and Pagani rounding out the rest of the top ten with small shares of the votes.

The numbers go to show that while the Prancing Horse is still king, England’s own Aston Martin has grown to eclipse some of the biggest power houses in terms of brand recognition. We wonder how long it will take McLaren’s Nike-like tick logo, which appears as a motif repeatedly in the design of the new MP4-12C supercar unveiled today, to rise up the ranks, too. We also wonder how American car fans would vote differently from our former colonial masters, and we’re wondering if the survey takers were given a limited number of choices, or if the poll specifically targeted performance marques. After all, aren’t workaday emblems like Ford’s Blue Oval or Chevrolet’s Bowtie more recognizable, or even Blighty’s own Rolls-Royce’s Double R logo?

In any case, we’ve started a performance badge poll of our own and thrown in the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper sub-brands (together with McLaren) for good measure. Follow the jump to cast your vote and read the press release with full figures after the jump.

[Source: MPH]

Continue reading Ferrari’s Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL]

Ferrari’s Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Humor

Good news, boys and girls: It’s time for another Funny Car Commercial of the Day! Last time, we laughed at an ad from Norsk Hydro of Norway that proves how much fun engineering can be as a career choice. Today, we change gears a bit and look at what goes into styling a sexy German-designed automobile.

All right, fine… so the previous-generation Ford Fiesta may not be the sexiest automobile ever to roll out of a German design studio, but this commercial, which first aired on Austrian television sets in 2006, grabbed our attention nonetheless. Click past the break to watch the video (warning: video autoplays) and be sure to check out veryfunnyads.com for more gut busters.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, GM

Earlier today we told you that General Motors would be announcing a new initiative that gives customers a 60-day money back guarantee on any Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick or GMC vehicle purchased. That program was just officially announced as the “Satisfaction Guarantee” and runs from September 14 through November 30. To kick things off, GM will be airing a commercial called “May the Best Car Win” starring its new Chairman, Ed Whitacre. You can view the commercial after the jump (sorry about the squishiness), but you’ll also want to check out the gallery below that contains screen shots lifted from the ad.

The commercial shows Whitacre taking a leisurely stroll through the GM Design Center in Warren, MI. You know, that place you’re never EVER to enter with a camera. Flaunting the rules, Whitacre and his camera crew stroll by a number of future vehicles and concepts that are deftly placed around the design center. We see the upcoming Cadillac ATS, what we assume to be a production-intent version of the Cadillac Converj (Caddy’s version of the Volt), a small Buick crossover based on the company’s Delta platform and the production Chevy Spark, among others.

After you’re done ogling the General’s future portfolio, you can also check out official details on the “Satisfaction Guaranteed” program, which covers 2009 and 2010 models as long they’re returned between 31 and 60 days after purchase with less than 4,000 miles. And sorry, leases aren’t included.

Continue reading GM “Satisfaction Guaranteed” official, commercial reveals future GM product

GM “Satisfaction Guaranteed” official, commercial reveals future GM product originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors wants to prove to you that their vehicles are up to snuff, and The New York Times is reporting that a new marketing initiative aims to get more customers behind the wheel of GM cars and trucks. The General’s rumored Satisfaction Guaranteed program promises to give customers their money back within 60 days if they’re not completely satisfied with their purchase. The new sales tool, which will reportedly begin Monday and run through November, may mark the first time a major automaker has backed their product with a money back guarantee. The new initiative will cover new Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC models.

New GM Chairman Edward Whitacre stars in the new commercials designed to promote the porgram, reportedly uttering confident proclamations like “We’re putting our money where our mouth is” and “May the best car win.” That sounds a lot like the old Chrysler spots featuring then chairman Lee Iacocca to us - GM can only hope that its new chairman can capture the attention of the car-buying public as well as ol’ Lido did.

The idea for the new initiative was allegedly hatched by GM’s new board as a way to stir up customers post-bankruptcy. Details of the impending program are sketchy at this point as the General has yet to publish a press release, but if the marketing initiative starts Monday, we’ll know soon enough.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

GM to offer 60 day money back guarantee on all new vehicle purchases originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

The ‘10 Unleashed Mustang Body Ink - Click above to watch the video after the jump

As part of Ford’s The ‘10 Unleashed program you’ve seen a blind man realize his dream of getting behind the wheel of his favorite muscle car and a student get to drag race against his shop teacher on Pinks All Out. The latest person to get their Mustang dream granted by Ford is Daniel Verlarde, a 24-year-old Los Angeles student that takes his commitment to Mustangs more seriously than most. Already an owner of a ‘69 Mustang, Verlarde wanted to permanently display his love of Ford’s pony car with a custom tattoo that would match the graphics on a brand new 2010 Mustang.

With Ford’s approval to make the dream a reality, High Voltage Tattoo in Hollywood stepped in to create the artwork on Verlarde’s arm, Luis Lopez worked his magic on the side of the car, and Galpin Auto Sports helped customize the Mustang with a set of 20-inch wheels, a hood scoop, FR3 handling pack, and more. Watch the entire video after the jump to see Verlarde’s wish come true. Permanently.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang

A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

Honda is now in full-on damage control mode over the Accord Crosstour Facebook fiasco, a PR catastrophe that will likely be discussed in college marketing courses for years to come. As you probably know by now, the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour quickly became a bubble-butted piñata after its global unveiling via Facebook, where social media users get to vent their spleens have their say, and what they had to say, in a nutshell, was “Ugly!”

The situation became more embarrassing when Honda got snagged deleting select comments from the stream, including one from a pro-Crosstour individual who wound up actually being a Honda product planner. Unfortunately, he neglected to identify himself as such before posting. Honda finally saw fit to respond to the awkwardness with several paragraphs of PR boilerplate that included, among other things, an explanation that the car’s really not all that ugly, you see. It simply doesn’t look good in the pictures that were posted initially, and new shots would be forthcoming to “clear things up” on the matter of the car’s apparently regrettable styling.

Well, those new Honda Accord Crosstour shots are up on Facebook now. Do they help? Frankly, we don’t think so. Sure, the car’s more red, but it’s no less the homely hatchwagon. We’ve added a new poll after the jump, so let us know if your minds have changed as a result of the new images.

[Source: Facebook]

Continue reading Honda releases more pics of Accord Crosstour in red. Does it help? [w/POLL]

Honda releases more pics of Accord Crosstour in red. Does it help? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Subaru, Humor, Specialty

Driftmeister Extraordinaire Ken Block is at it again, only this time, with a bit more of a sense of humor on display. The tire-immolating Subaru WRX STI rally driver has teamed up with pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek for a “Me and My Shadow” video extravaganza dubbed Gymkhana 2.1.

While we have to admit that the finished product isn’t filled with as many jaw-slackeningly awesome moments as the pair of videos that proceeded it, it’s an amusing coquet while we wait for Gymkhana 3.0, a film that will presumably involve a borrowed space shuttle, a runway full of banana peels, and at least one octogenarian goat herder. The 3:49 production is worth watching just for Dyrdek’s custom “Mini Me” go-kart, which we want parked in our lawnmower shed yesterday. Enjoy watching the video after the jump, and be sure to check out the slightly less-than high-res images in the gallery below. Hat tips to Adam and Christian!

[Source: DC Shoes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek

VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Subaru, Humor, Specialty

Driftmeister Extraordinaire Ken Block is at it again, only this time, with a bit more of a sense of humor on display. The tire-immolating Subaru WRX STI rally driver has teamed up with pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek for a “Me and My Shadow” video extravaganza dubbed Gymkhana 2.1.

While we have to admit that the finished product isn’t filled with as many jaw-slackeningly awesome moments as the pair of videos that proceeded it, it’s an amusing coquet while we wait for Gymkhana 3.0, a film that will presumably involve a borrowed space shuttle, a runway full of banana peels, and at least one octogenarian goat herder. The 3:49 production is worth watching just for Dyrdek’s custom “Mini Me” go-kart, which we want parked in our lawnmower shed yesterday. Enjoy watching the video after the jump, and be sure to check out the slightly less-than high-res images in the gallery below. Hat tips to Adam and Christian!

[Source: DC Shoes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdeks

VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Canada

2010 Buick LaCrosse: Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors named the Chevrolet Nova, the majority of customers in America had no issues whatsoever with the spacey moniker. Spanish speaking countries were a different matter entirely, as the literal Spanish translation of “no va” is “no go.” As the story goes, Chevy’s Nova was less than successful south of Texas, although some analysts (armchair and otherwise) dismiss this historical naming issue as nonsense. Whether the Nova was an issue for GM or not, the automaker wasn’t looking to tempt fate when the Buick LaCrosse began production in 2005. The French translation of “LaCrosse” is something along the lines of “self love” - not a flattering name for a family sedan. This being the case, the LaCrosse was renamed Allure in Canada and Buick buyers north of the border were free of ridicule and humiliation.

After careful consideration, GM has decided to ditch the Allure nameplate and instead leave the LaCrosse badging on the sedan’s boot for the new 2010 model. GM Canada spokesman George Saratlic told the National Post that the decision was made to help streamline marketing costs. The feeling at GM is that Québécoise accept the name lacrosse in reference to the popular sport, so the benefits of having a consistent naming convention across North America far outweighs the negative stigma of the name.

Saratlic adds, “We do think that this will help customers learn more about the new Buick LaCrosse sedan thanks to the strengthened advertising push this will enable and that the car will have distinctly upscale characteristics that clearly define what it stands for in the market.” Since we’ve poured precisely zero dollars into investigating the impact of the LaCrosse name in Canada, we’ll take the company at its word. We would, however, suggest that Canadian LaCrosse drivers keep both hands on the wheel, at least for now.

[Sources: National Post, Snopes]

GM exercises self-love, plans to re-name Canada’s Buick Allure LaCrosse after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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