Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Toys/Games

You know what we like almost as much as real cars? Toy cars. It’s gotten to the point where there mere existence of Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and the like seem like an ongoing conspiracy to suck an extra few bucks out of our wallets with every trip to the store.

Furthering that belief is Hot Wheels’ new Kmart promo, wherein if you buy 20 cars from the basic assortment (they need to match certain SKUs, just FYI), you can then mail in your stack of receipts to receive the special edition ‘62 Corvette you see above. (A gallery of more detailed pics can be seen at HotWheelsCollectors.com.) It arrives on a special blister pack that notes its collector’s edition status, and is even shipped in a Kar Keepers protective case to help ensure that the heavy-handed employees at your local sorting station don’t wreck it in transit.

To qualify for the promotion, you must buy your 20 eligible Hot Wheels cars between Feb. 10 and Mar. 10, 2010. Additional details, official rules, etc. are available at HotWheelsCollectors.com. Now please excuse us - there’s a Jackson burning a hole in our pocket, and a Kmart within easy driving distance.

[Source: HotWheelsCollectors.com]

Attention Kmart Shoppers: Buy 20 Hot Wheels, get a cool ‘62 Vette by mail originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos

It seems like only yesterday that Internet companies dominated the Super Bowl commercial water-cooler talk, but in fact it was a full decade ago. While most of those businesses are long gone, the few remaining Internet survivors like Go Daddy and Monster can be counted on for annual participation, and you can add Cars.com to that list, as the automotive research site has bought ad time during the Super Bowl for three consecutive years.

Cars.com’s newest TV spot echoes the theme of last year’s ad, which showed that even the smartest, best-prepared people in the world can use a little help when it comes to buying a new or used ride. This year’s ad features a new lead, the eminently capable Timothy Richman: a guy who can put out fires with a rattle, ride a two-wheeler on the first try, take the bite out of jellyfish stings, deliver a breach tiger cub and predict the path of funnel clouds without a Doppler. But like so many folks, he gets anxious when he steps onto a car lot. Hit the jump to watch the one minute commercial for yourself. Wait, one minute? Who makes a one minute long commercial when a 30 second spot costs up to $3 million? Oh well, enjoy the sneak peek.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Continue reading Video: Cars.com shows off Super Bowl commercial early

Video: Cars.com shows off Super Bowl commercial early originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz looked like it was out to change the laws of physics when it released video footage - whether factual or digitally created - of its new SLS AMG supercar driving upside down in a tunnel. Now it looks like they’re out to change history, too. Retroactively.

If you watch the original footage, chances are you won’t recognize the test driver on duty, supernaturally talented though he appears to be. But watch it again in the new version after the jump and - presto change-o! - it was Michael Schumacher all along! Cute trick, especially considering he probably wasn’t signed to his new deal with Mercedes when they made this clip. For our part, we’re still surprised he’s not driving a Ferrari in retirement, so at this point anything’s believable.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Continue reading Video: Remember that Gullwing tunnel trick? Yeah, that was Schumi

Video: Remember that Gullwing tunnel trick? Yeah, that was Schumi originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, GMC

Never underestimate the power of a celebrity endorsement. Or, for that matter, a political one. Massachusetts senator-elect Scott Brown (R) won an unprecedented victory Tuesday in the state’s special election to replace Ted Kennedy, and he reportedly earned extra brownie points from voters for promising to keep his staid 2005 GMC Canyon pickup truck with over 200,000 miles on the clock as his daily driver in office.

“I’m Scott Brown, I’m from Wrentham, and I drive a truck,” the candidate had been known to say. This was especially true after President Obama quipped that voters should “look under the hood” in reference to Brown’s candidacy. Apparently, that nice, average guy persona sat well with the state’s population - so much so that area dealerships are reportedly noting an increased level of interest in the oft-overlooked pickup truck from The General.

Al Cerrone, owner of a local GMC dealership, claims, “We’ve gotten eight to 12 phone calls from people asking, ‘Do you sell trucks like that?”’ To which we can only imagine he responded with, “Yes we can!” Click past the break to watch a video from Scott Brown’s campaign featuring his GMC Canyon pickup truck. Thanks for the tip, Phil!

[Source: Boston.com]

Continue reading Report: GMC Canyon sales rise in MA thanks to senator’s win (w/video)

Report: GMC Canyon sales rise in MA thanks to senator’s win (w/video) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet

Back when the world was a kinder, simpler place, carmakers made all kinds of thrilling-at-the-time propaganda promotional reels that we now derive no end of joy from. It was a time when a company could film its 80-horsepower sedan driving over a railroad trestle, like the one in the picture, and not worry about getting sued when someone actually did it and ended up in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chevrolet did one such vid that looked at company developments all around the country, including a bunch of octogenarian workers visiting Baltimore to receive the keys to the city. And In the year’s first great display of meta, the video from 1935 then goes on to take an incredulous look at car advertisements from 1898 and 1899. Follow the jump for six minutes of American glory in black-and-white.

[Source: Auto Trader Classic]

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet’s version of the news, circa 1935

Video: Chevrolet’s version of the news, circa 1935 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW, Humor

Bridgeport BMW in Bridgeport, Connecticut decided to go with an outside-the-box kind of billboard to advertise it take home test drive program. Perched on top of the big billboard is a man and a big teddy bear. Of course, if you take a close look you’ll see it’s a mannequin and a big teddy bear. This fact did not stop passing motorists from calling 911 concerned that either the man or his bear would fall off the top of the billboard, or that they would jump. No really, they were concerned about the teddy bear, too. Make the jump to watch the video. Tip of the nighttime stocking cap to Jeff!

[Source: YouTube via Huffington Post]

Continue reading BMW dealer’s billboard scaring motorists into 911 calls [w/video]

BMW dealer’s billboard scaring motorists into 911 calls [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Recall that Susan Docherty, the recently appointed VP of marketing, responded shortly after seeing the so-called Chevy Volt Dance for the first time, “Our Chevrolet Volt advertising, marketing and go to market strategy will be as innovative as the car. We may have missed on this one, but we won’t going forward.” Apparently, she was serious.

We can’t say for certain just how much Maria Rohrer’s reassignment from serving as the marketing manager for the hotly anticipated Chevrolet Volt had to do with the ill-conceived Chevy Volt Dance, but we hear through the grapevine (actually from our friend @johnvoelcker via Twitter) that Rohrer will now serve as director of Chevy truck advertising instead.

We did note that there was no song and dance routine to go along with the 2011 Chevy Volt’s appearance at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, which was certainly fine by us. After all, once that song gets in your head, it’s pretty tough to get out… But if you’re truly a glutton for punishment, feel free to watch the video after the break.

[Source: Green Car Reports via @johnvoelcker]

Continue reading Report: Marketing manager responsible for Chevy Volt Dance reassigned

Report: Marketing manager responsible for Chevy Volt Dance reassigned originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Opel

The 2010 Astra is one nice-looking hatch, and the good people at Opel are going to great lengths to show the world their five-door accomplishment. The latest example of Astra pride comes in the form of a two-and-a-half minute short that plays off of the clever nature of the Oceans movies starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

If you haven’t seen any of the Oceans trilogy, each film centers around a Las Vegas casino and a gang of crafty crooks that take the owner for everything he has. All three films are edited with quick cuts and multiple clips showing at the same time. The Astra TV spot also involves a Casino and some fancy editing, but the dozen or so criminals are replaced with three “agents” trying to get their hands on the plans for the world’s most expensive casino. Of course, there are also plenty of shots of the Astra highlighting features like the “Astra Eye” that can read traffic signals and headlights that turn with you.

Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself. If you’re as confused as we were, watch the second embedded video that explains what was going on in the first video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Opel goes all “Oceans Eleven” and augmented reality for new Astra

Video: Opel goes all “Oceans Eleven” and augmented reality for new Astra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Smart, Earnings/Financials

Intent on putting 2009 - and its devastating 41-percent sales plunge - into distant memory, Smart USA is rolling out its first lease incentive program designed to kick-start sales (along those lines, former Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak was appointed as president of the company just two weeks ago). Smart has run pilot leasing programs in the past, but this is the first program offered nationwide.

Launched two years ago, sales of the tiny Fortwo were initially strong. However, as the novelty wore off the unimpressive subcompact and gas prices dropped, customers grew cold. The failing economy only made matters worse. First year sales were 24,622 units. In 2009, Smart USA moved just 14,595 cars.

The terms of the Daimler Financial Services deal include a 36-month/10,000-mile lease with less than $2,000 out of pocket. Payments are $169 plus tax. The program is scheduled to run through the end of February.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Smart looking to stem the gloom with first U.S. lease program originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

According to an Autoblog source, Dodge will abandon the Durango nameplate for the model’s replacement due for 2012. In place of that two-generation designator, Chrysler is exhuming the Magnum nameplate, a moniker used on the low-slung wagon built on Chrysler’s LX platform up until 2008. The new Magnum is expected to be built atop the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee chassis (itself riding on Mercedes-Benz-derived architecture) and skew more toward the crossover segment than the previous rough-and-ready SUV.

Our source originally showed us a screen capture of a Pentastar service training software page on its Chrysler Academy Learning Center confirming the Magnum’s existence (shown above), but at that time, he wasn’t clear what the vehicle was. Since then, our man has learned through a Chrysler zone manager at a New York dealer’s meeting that the line item in question is indeed the next Durango. A secondary source close to the situation confirmed to Autoblog that a name change for the new vehicle is in the cards and that Magnum is under serious consideration, but he was unclear as to whether a final decision had been made.

The Durango was introduced in 1998 and immediately found success riding the crest of the SUV boom. A second-generation debuted for 2004 and ran through the 2009 model year, but the larger redesigned model didn’t meet with the same sort of success as its predecessor, struggling to deal with the collapse of the body-on-frame SUV market and increasingly plentiful crossover options.

It isn’t immediately clear what the reasoning is behind Chrysler’s apparent name change strategy, especially as the 2005-2008 Magnum itself wasn’t considered much of a sales success (it was consistently outsold by its LX platform stablemates, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger). That said, with the model being more CUV-like than a body-on-frame bruiser, the change seems to make some sense. Further, Magnum remains a powerful nameplate, and the Pentastar has a long history of employing it for any number of different products, including a large B-platform coupe in the late 1970s, a range of engines, and a Mexican-market K-car model in the ’80s. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Source: Next Dodge Durango to be called Magnum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work

Sweden’s Flygbussarna Airport Coaches asked Acne Advertising to make the case for travelers to take a coach to the airport instead of a car. Instead of leading with price, comfort, or ease, Acne went for hot air and green - as in CO2 and the environment.

To vividly illustrate that one Flyggbussarna coach can hold about 50 people - as opposed to the typical Swedish passenger car, which averages 1.2 occupants - while emitting the pollution of just four passenger cars, Acne built a coach out of fifty crushed cars - primarily expired Volvos and Saabs.

The installation was placed next to the road to Sweden’s largest airport, and what ensued was lots of public awareness. And traffic jams. Which would have increased CO2, ironically. Follow the jump for a video on the campaign. Even if the resultant congestion made the earth a bit warmer, it’s still very cool.

[Source: Acne Advertising]

Continue reading Video: Sweden’s Acme Advertising creates arresting green motorcoach marketing

Video: Sweden’s Acme Advertising creates arresting green motorcoach marketing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, GMC

GMC has always been General Motors’ truck and SUV marque, but the brand could break new ground if it decides to build a small urban vehicle based on the Granite concept from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Granite would likely be smaller and less rough-and-tumble than any other vehicle in the GMC lineup while also carrying a lower base price tag. If GM’s “Professional Grade” brand builds a Granite-like vehicle it could take the marketing road less traveled; television-less advertising.

Buick-GMC advertising director Steve Rosenblum has reportedly told Automotive News that the next step for GMC could be a four-passenger vehicle that slots below the Terrain, and the Granite certainly fits that bill. Rosenblum went on to hypothesize that a Granite-sized vehicle would be heavily marketed to car buyers under age 35, and that its marketing campaign could be focused almost entirely on the Internet. And the tried-and-true “Professional Grade” tagline? GMC could exclude it from Granite ads, says Rosenblum. Hmmm…

GMC could also focus its marketing dollars on “smart phone” advertising. Rosenblum says that by 2011, two-thirds of cell phone users under age 40 will own a smart phone. One application the ad team designed is a brochure for the Granite with bar code designs that can be read by smart phones. The codes would then lead interested parties to a website with features about the Granite, along with a social networking site where interested parties could chat with designers.

Is the Granite a smart direction for GM to be taking with GMC, or is it a bridge too far? Have your say in Comments.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

GMC to drop TV, harness the power of the interwebs to market Granite. You know, if it gets built. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

CNNMoney.com is reporting that Chrysler will be the only U.S. domestic automaker to air a commercial during this year’s Super Bowl. The spot in question will be 60 seconds long, the most expensive length to buy during the big game, and advertise the Dodge Charger of all vehicles. Chrysler spokeswoman Dianna C. Gutierrez is quoted saying, “What better way to illustrate to our customers that we are still here than to air on the Super Bowl…” Oh Dianna, we could think of a few ways.

Has Chrysler determined there are so many people who believe it’s disappeared that spending millions on a Super Bowl ad to remind them it hasn’t is a good idea? This idea ranks right up there with boarding a private jet bound for the nation’s capital to ask for money from Congress. In other words, it will backfire. The expense of buying air time during the Super Bowl to advertise the outdated Charger could easily be seen by some as a waste of money, dollars that could have been used to do better things, like, say, developing a better Charger.

There’s nothing Chrysler can say in a commercial that will wipe out the ill will that remains in some people’s hearts after the government loans and forced bankruptcy, so Chrysler should do what its cross-town rivals are doing: be quiet and start developing better products. Once the folks at Chrysler build a better Charger (and Avenger, Caliber, Journey, etc.), then we’ll by happy to watch their Super Bowl ad. Until then, we’re more looking forward to watching spots from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Audi and Volkswagen on February 7.

[Source: CNNMoney.com | Image: Jamie Squire/Getty]

Hail Mary Pass? Chrysler buying 60-second Super Bowl spot for Dodge Charger originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Ford, Hummer, Mazda, Mercury, Saab, Subaru, Toyota

After one of the worst years ever for the auto industry, which automakers do you think came out of 2009 with an unsullied reputation? Consumer Reports just published its 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey and the results are a bit perplexing. Naming the manufacturers that slipped last year would probably be a piece of cake, but try to guess which ones came out ahead of their 2008 rankings.

Before you try to guess, here are the ground rules. According to CR, “The scores reflect how consumers perceive each brand in seven categories: Safety, quality, value, performance, design/style, technology/innovation, and environmentally friendly/green.” Further, “The scores reflect consumers’ total perception level of a brand across those categories, and not the actual qualities of the brand’s individual vehicles.”

The overall top brands in the rankings were the usual suspects for the most part. Toyota was tops (guess CR readers haven’t heard about that sticky gas pedal thing), followed by America’s sole avoider of bankruptcy, Ford, then Honda. Somewhat surprisingly, Chevrolet placed fourth - bankruptcy be damned. Carmakers improving by the largest percentage over last year were an equally mixed bag. Chevy and Ford improved quite a bit, but the company posting the biggest gain was Subaru, which mirrored the success it had on the showroom floor in 2009.

Perhaps even more interesting were the bottom brands. Not surprisingly in these green-leaning times, Hummer scored the lowest as a brand, followed closely by GM problem-child, Saab. The Swedish firm was actually tied, though, with Ford’s forgotten brand, Mercury, and shockingly, recent Ford divestiture, Mazda. Dropping the most this year were luxury brands like Porsche, Lexus and Lincoln. How Porsche and Lexus dropped so much is a bit of a mystery, but Cadillac droppng 15 points was a real head-scratcher considering the success of the CTS.

The complete survey is an interesting read, as are the full rankings. The top scorers in each category is particularly revealing. Before you click the source link below, though, try to guess where your favorite brands placed. You might be as surprised as we were.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Toyota tops in CR brand perception study, Subaru, Ford, Chevy make gains originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Celebrities, Luxury

According to a report from USA Today, Tiger Woods no longer gets free cars from General Motors. No worries, we’re pretty sure Tiger can afford to pay for his own ride anyway.

The news, attributed to Buick spokesperson Dayna Hart, comes as a number of companies like Tag Heuer and Accenture have canceled advertising contracts with the star golfer. GM, though, indicates that the free car agreement was scheduled to end on December 31st and therefore isn’t necessarily a result of Woods’ November 27 accident outside his Florida home that led to his admission of marital infidelity.

Woods hasn’t been a spokesperson for GM since the golfer’s contract ended in 2008, but the automaker had reportedly agreed to let Woods keep his Buick and Cadillac vehicles for an additional year. As previously reported, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Woods was driving will be repaired and sold.

[Source: USA Today via San Francisco Chronicle]

Report: General Motors no longer provides Tiger Woods with free cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Russia

Marussia, which was last seen showing a new car and new colors at the Frankfurt Motor Show, has spent the intervening months being quiet and productive. In addition to putting together promotional packages like commercials and rolling footage, the three-year-old Russian company is now an official partner of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Racing.

The details are scant, but the two parties have signed a multi-year deal with Marussia getting “major on car, driver and team branding.” Taking the Virgin step further, Marussia signed up with Cosworth, Virgin’s engine supplier, and Cosworth will help the Russian company develop gas and diesel engines and drivetrains.

Follow the jump to check out two vids of all three Marussias on track, and the three Marussia commercials along with the official press release. Be sure to watch how the model has to squeeze herself into the cockpit - it looks tiny in there. Hat tip to Greg!

[Sources: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Marussia shows up on the catwalk, in commercials, and in F1 with Virgin Racing

Video: Marussia shows up on the catwalk, in commercials, and in F1 with Virgin Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising

Over the past 18 months, auto shows around the world have taken a huge hit as the economic melt-down has caused a collapse in sales and automakers have tried slashing spending. Many of us in the business of writing about cars have wondered if the age of the big auto show is drawing to a close. One person who doesn’t agree with that projection is Bill Perkins, president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and member of the Organizing committee for the North American International Auto Show that opens its doors to the press today.

The Detroit show was particularly hard hit in 2009 as several manufacturers including Nissan, Mitsubishi and Porsche pulled the plug on participating. Meanwhile, Chrysler and General Motors scaled back their efforts as they veered toward bankruptcy. Perkins spoke with Autoblog last week and was feeling outwardly confident. While last month’s LA Auto Show was looking a bit sparse, Detroit this year seems to have stabilized and even recovered a bit.

Read more after the jump.

Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

Continue reading Detroit 2010: DADA president Bill Perkins feeling confident about the big show

Detroit 2010: DADA president Bill Perkins feeling confident about the big show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

Automobiles and footwear, they’re not that different, right? They’re both transportation devices; Jimi said “his dusty boots is his Cadillac,” putting it all in perspective. Sergio Marchionne has Balkanized the marketing of Chrysler’s divisions, and Dodge has taken the opportunity to split from its long-serving agency BBDO, which has handled advertising and media buying for the whole of Chrysler.

BBDO’s contract runs out this month, and according to Automotive News, Dodge is going with the “Just Do It” Agency Wieden+Kennedy. In addition to coining that iconic phrase for Nike, a brand which W+K has been associated with since its birth in 1982. The firm’s Portland, Oregon arm also puts its mark on ESPN’s “This is Sportscenter” campaign, and was responsible for the recent Target Christmas spots. Lest you think there’s some kind of magic juju that goes into car advertising, W+K knows what it’s doing there, too. Adweek awarded Honda’s “Grrr” ad the title “Commercial of the Decade,” and the well-traveled “Cog” spot was also W+K’s work, so it’s obvious the firm knows a thing or two about auto. It’s not clear what direction Dodge’s advertising will go - especially now that it’s been split off from Ram - but the company is likely breathing a sigh of relief that it didn’t get tasked with the Chrysler brand, instead. We’re not sure there’s any type of advertising that could sell Sebrings.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req.]

Just Dodge It? Chrysler reportedly hires firm best known for Nike ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising

Chandler, Arizona used car salesman “Crazy” Tracy Tingue has been put out of business at his current location, and that means his busty mannequins have gone with him. That’s right, his busty mannequins. To the chagrin of Chandler’s code enforcement officials, the AutoMart Superstore used mannequins immense of bosom to advertise its wares to passing motorists. Somewhere in Chandler’s sign laws, those kind of shenanigans are outlawed.

According to the East Valley Tribune, the dealership’s closure didn’t come at the hands of the city, though, but those of his landlord. Tingue and the property owner had a dispute, and the AutoMart was evicted. Tingue told one of his suppliers that he still has his inventory and he’s looking for another location, so you can probably expect those mannequins to return. Just maybe not in Chandler.

Be sure to follow the jump to check out some of Crazy Tracy’s commercials, which are just as schlocky but more humorous than we ever expected.

[Source: East Valley Tribune, YouTube]

Continue reading Report: Controversial AZ dealer with busty mannequins, crazy ads closes [w/video]

Report: Controversial AZ dealer with busty mannequins, crazy ads closes [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Luxury, South Korea

Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore has confirmed to Autoblog that while a version of its home-market Equus is on the way to North America in 2010, the Korean automaker still hasn’t decided what the car will be named when it arrives. The high-end sedan may carry the horse-inspired KDM appellation, or perhaps even its Middle East moniker, Centennial, but other nameplates remain under discussion. And although Bedore declined to offer any specific possibilities, when pressed, he did admit that the company hasn’t ruled out anything with the word “Genesis” in its title, a move that would seemingly be appropriate given that the model has more than a few Genesis Sedan genes in its genetic blueprint. Such a strategy would also seem to be consistent with a rumored plan to separate Hyundai’s pricier offerings within brand showrooms. Genesis Prestige or Genesis Supremacy, anyone?

The rear-drive, V8 luxury sedan is on track for arrival in the second half of this year, and while it will be essentially identical to the Korean Equus, small visual differences like alloy wheel patterns and perhaps the absence of the domestic car’s prominent hood ornament (shown above) are also likely. No word yet on specific changes to the car’s underpinnings, but Bedore tells us that we “can expect some adjustments to things like suspension damping and steering tuning for the U.S. market.”

A Korean-spec Equus will be on display at next week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but no further announcements regarding the car are scheduled.

Hyundai Equus on track for States in 2010, name still undecided originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Diesel

Killing yourself is a bad idea. And trying to kill yourself by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cracked window of an idling Audi TDI diesel isn’t only a bad idea; it’s apparently unlikely to get the job done. That’s the message we get from the four-ringed automaker’s interesting disturbing ad. We aren’t clear as to what market this spot aired in (or if it’s intended solely for Internet consumption), but the commercial features the Audi A5 and an actor playing part of the dangerously depressed. The man pulls out a hose, feeds it into the A5’s exhaust and places the other end into the cracked passenger window. He then turns the car on and waits in vein for the afterlife. The controversial one-minute spot isn’t a quick guide to euthanasia but instead Audi is apparently demonstrating (avoided) death by emissions as a way to graphically illustrate just how clean its diesel technology is.

Hit the jump to view this very disturbing, very not-ready-for-U.S.-consumption spot. For the record, we have absolutely no idea whether or not the TDI in the Audi A5 is so clean that you safely can run a hose from the exhaust to the window, let the car idle until it runs out of gas and live to tell about it. In other words, under no circumstances should you try this at home, with or without a clean diesel.

UPDATE: The original video was yanked from YouTube, but we’ve found another that you can view after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi TDI good at a lot of things, but suicide apparently isn’t one of them

Video: Audi TDI good at a lot of things, but suicide apparently isn’t one of them originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler

It seems people weren’t getting the message that Chrysler is a new and much healthier company than it was not even a year ago. To redress the issue, The Pentastar says it has a new campaign called “Coming Home” intended to remind car shoppers that Chrysler has brought families home for decades and will (hopefully) be there to keep doing it for a long time to come.

Follow the jump to see the ad, which strikes a much more traditional note than the previous spots that got dealers in a tizzy. The official press release follows below the video.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Video: Chrysler begins new ad campaign with nostalgia-soaked “Coming Home”

Video: Chrysler begins new ad campaign with nostalgia-soaked “Coming Home” originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mini

Heineken ran commercials that showed a guy’s ultimate closet as a walk-in refrigerator filled with the Dutch beer. To support the ads they put huge cardboard boxes around Amsterdam on garbage day with “Walk-In Fridge” written on them, as if someone had actually gotten one as a gift. Well, it looks like Mini did the same thing after Christmas, casting giant, empty boxes with shreds of gift wrapping around Amsterdam. Predictably for a Mini campaign, it got people’s attention. Check it out after the jump.

[Source: Creative Criminals]

Continue reading Box Art? Clever Mini promotion litters streets with giant packaging

Box Art? Clever Mini promotion litters streets with giant packaging originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Luxury

Before the Hyundai Genesis arrived in showrooms, there was talk of the car launching under the aegis of its own brand, much like the debut of the Lexus LS400 back in 1990. That didn’t happen, and premium Hyundai models like the Genesis and the forthcoming 2010 Equus share floor space with Accents and Tucsons.

Still, the thought of a roped-off premium car department has a certain pull. “Sectioning off the brand, that’s the Holy Grail,” said Hyundai Motors USA CEO John Krafcik to Ward’s Auto. What Krafcik and his Korean masters may have up their collective sleeve is a way to get some of the desired differentiation without the massive costs a new brand launch would entail.

Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai’s North American sales vice president, has drawn parallels to Toyota’s co-locating efforts with its Scion sub-brand in a letter to dealers, laying out the plans for incorporating the Equus into showrooms. “This strategy will create physical and psychological separation in the Hyundai showroom,” says Zuchowski, while dealers remain less convinced that this means anything more for them than increased costs. On the retail end, stores will be required to purchase several kits for showroom, service, and parts support of the Equus. While not as expensive as a full-blown new store would be, dealers still might have trouble mustering enthusiasm for hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate-ordered directives that franchisees may have to comply with.

Dealer unhappiness aside, Zuchowski lays out Hyundai’s strategy clearly. “We intend to use the launch of the new Equus to develop and further establish Hyundai as a legitimate force in the premium-luxury segments;” intimating there might be more to it than just the Genesis models and the luxo-liner Equus - a “Genesised-up” Santa Fe might do battle against the Lexus RX, for instance. While it will cost dealers money, Zuchowski notes that ultimately, it’s the cheapest way to go while “still providing an enhanced dealership environment…that will devliver a substantial incremental profit opportunity with very reasonable dealer investment.” In other words, pay the man now, and cash in later, if all goes well.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Ward’s obtains Hyundai doc detailing plan to split off luxury cars in dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Aston Martin, Design/Style

Aston Martin will be shepherding perceptions of its forthcoming Cygnet as much as it can, and it will doubtlessly be monitoring the reception that the Toyota-turned-Aston microcar receives as closely as it can.

On that former front, the company has begun video marketing for a car it still only suggests will go into production at the end of this year. The intent, of course, is to make the Cygnet appear as cool as possible, and the method used in this application is the French sport of parkour. Follow the jump to watch the vid and then answer this question for us in Comments: Did it work? Thanks for the tip, Victor!

[Source: Aston Martin via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Aston Martin tries to build street cred with Cygnet

Video: Aston Martin tries to build street cred with Cygnet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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