Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Official: 2013 Nissan Altima production kicks off in Smyrna, aims to pass Camry for #1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/nissan-altima-production-kicks-off-in-smyrna-aims-to-pass-camry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/nissan-altima-production-kicks-off-in-smyrna-aims-to-pass-camry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/nissan-altima-production-kicks-off-in-smyrna-aims-to-pass-camry/#commentsFiled under: , ,



"We are ready to make this car the top seller if the customer agrees."

Nissan started Job One production for the 2013 Altima sedan at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant today.

Nissan has big plans for the fifth-generation Altima, which was the number-two selling car in the United States in 2011. The company is adding a third shift at Smyna, and shifting models around between this plant and its Canton, Mississippi plant with an eye toward the Altima passing the Toyota Camry as the top-selling model in America.

Toyota sold 308,510 Camrys last year, compared with Nissan's 268,981 Altimas.

"We haven't built and designed this car the way we have, and made all these changes with a goal of being number-two," said Nissan Americas vice chairman Bill Krueger. Krueger admits that the consumer will vote on whether the Altima becomes the top selling car. "But we are ready to make this car the top seller if the customer agrees."

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam chimed in on the rivalry. "We are going to give the folks down in Georgetown [Kentucky] a serious run for the money," said Haslam, speaking of Toyota's plant in the neighboring state.

Nissan definitely has the capacity to pass the Camry, as it builds Altimas at two plants.

Krueger says he is not willing to cut and slash profit margins to chase the top-seller number for Altima. Nissan has long been more aggressive in incentive spending than its Japanese rivals in large part because it does not have the brand cachet and reputation for durability and quality that Toyota and Honda have.

Nissan built 570,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year and is adding a third shift to Smyrna. Nissan executives, however, won't pinpoint what total capacity is for Smyrna and Canton for competitive reasons. But it definitely has the capacity to pass the Camry's sales, as it builds Altimas at both plants.

Driving impressions of the 2013 Altima are embargoed until May 25, but we are allowed to tell you about a new feature we think is pretty cool. The tire pressure monitoring system not only tells the driver specifically what tire is low, but when you inflate each tire to the ideal, manufacturer-specified level, the car's horn sounds. Pretty neat, huh?.

2013 Nissan Altima production kicks off in Smyrna, aims to pass Camry for #1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan altimaaltimacamrynissansmyrnasmyrna tennesseetennesseetoyotaTue, 15 May 2012 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/olympics-3-series-free-service-enough-for-bmw-to-keep-luxe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/olympics-3-series-free-service-enough-for-bmw-to-keep-luxe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/olympics-3-series-free-service-enough-for-bmw-to-keep-luxe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW Ultimate Service -- Married

BMW has long had an advantage over Mercedes-Benz and Lexus when it comes to maintenance and ownership costs that it has hardly ever advertised - free maintenance for the first four years of ownership. The secret will be no more as the company is about to unleash a major ad push behind the program known as BMW Ultimate Service.

The ads, done by BMW's ad agency, Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners, which took BMW's whole ad account assignment last August, are set inside a BMW dealership and draw on comedy to depict the surprise and even incredulity that four years of free maintenance comes with every new Bimmer. In one spot, for example, a woman thinks the promise of free maintenance is a come-on, and she reminds the salesman that she is married. In another spot, a man buying a BMW thinks he has to give the salesman sports tickets in order to get the deal.

BMW's marketing chief Dan Creed says the ad campaign, for which there are 27 different possible endings to the vignettes between salesman and customer, is timed right for a market of luxury buyers, which, though seemingly fully recovered from the economic death march of 2008-2010, is still looking for value along with their luxury.

"The expectation and widely held belief that BMW has very expensive maintenance costs is still a big factor in why people bypass us when shopping, and we think we have a very efficient way of changing that perception here," says Creed. "Mercedes, Lexus, and our other competitors don't have this, and we are going to use it as a meaningful point of difference."

Scroll down below for more on BMW's upcoming ads and to watch the videos.

Continue reading Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012?

Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw adBMW Maintenancebmw servicebmw ultimate serviceultimate serviceThu, 10 May 2012 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Could the Hyundai Veloster go topless? [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/could-the-hyundai-veloster-go-topless-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/could-the-hyundai-veloster-go-topless-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/could-the-hyundai-veloster-go-topless-w-poll/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai Veloster Convertible rendering - Theophilus Chin

The Hyundai Veloster has been a bit polarizing since it went on sale last year. And the debate could get more animated if the Korean company does what we think it's thinking about doing.

At a recent gathering of reporters and Hyundai executives in Ann Arbor, MI, where the annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show takes place every summer, we asked Hyundai Motors America chief John Krafcik what he planned to bring this year (the college town is also home to Hyundai America Technical Center). Last year, they showed off the new Veloster.

Redone Azera? New Santa Fe? Neither seems appropriate for the tone of the event. So, we threw this out: "How about chopping the top off the Veloster and see the reaction?"

Krafcik and PR man Jim Trainor started trying to make poker faces, indicating to us that we may well have stumbled on to a future project, Rolling Sculpture or no. But we aren't sure.

Some thought the Veloster was an answer to a question that nobody had been asking, but the unique coupe is proving to be a great sales and image success for Hyundai. Krafcik has shown a great instinct for design and engineering the Hyundai lineup to successful heights: redesigns of the Sonata, Elantra, Accent and now Santa Fe. He also had a lot to do with the cleanup of the Azera, and, of course, the Genesis and Genesis Coupe. A former product development executive at Ford, it's hard to think he would not be the current product development chief in Dearborn had he stayed, and not been scooped up by Hyundai a decade ago.

Hyundai's sales have been supply constrained on many of its models, including the Veloster. Given a finite supply of Veloster models that it can source from Korea, Krafcik plans to emphasize production of the upcoming Turbo model. That strikes us as a smart move.

We're excited about the turbo, but we couldn't resist asking a rendering artist to imagine the Veloster sans roof. What do you think? Is topless a good thing in this case?

View Poll

Could the Hyundai Veloster go topless? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 hyundai velosterhyundaijohn krafcikrenderingvelosterveloster convertibleveloster turboFri, 20 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Chrysler turns to ground game with new "Second Half" ads post Super Bowl]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/chrysler-turns-to-ground-game-with-new-second-half-ads-post-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/chrysler-turns-to-ground-game-with-new-second-half-ads-post-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/chrysler-turns-to-ground-game-with-new-second-half-ads-post-su/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Chrysler today is launching a continuation of its Halftime In America ad effort for the Ram pickup, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Jeep Wrangler.

The new ads do not feature Clint Eastwood, as the February Super Bowl ad did.

The Ram ad, titled "Tommy and The Ram," is a vignette that depicts a wife's admiration for her husband's hard work and determination to provide for his family in any economic environment. There is a great line in this ad as he drives his Ram to a job site: "Where there's a truck, there's a job." The idea here is that as long as he has a reliable truck, he always has a chance to earn.

The ad for the Chrysler 300 is told through a father talking about his pride in his son making his own way in life, while the Wrangler spot is told through the story of a young daughter adapting to a new life and new city with her family.

The ads will be breaking during the NCAA Men's basketball semi-finals, NHL games, NASCAR, Mad Men and the American Country Music Awards.

Watch all four ads below.

Continue reading Chrysler turns to ground game with new "Second Half" ads post Super Bowl

Chrysler turns to ground game with new "Second Half" ads post Super Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1500300300 my son stevenchallengerchryslerdodgehalftime in americajeepjenny in the jeep wranglerramshaun in the challengersuper bowltommy and the ramwranglerFri, 30 Mar 2012 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Book Review: Bryce G. Hoffman's new <i>American Icon</i> book on Ford [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/24/book-review-bryce-g-hoffmans-new-american-icon-book-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/24/book-review-bryce-g-hoffmans-new-american-icon-book-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/24/book-review-bryce-g-hoffmans-new-american-icon-book-on/#commentsFiled under: ,

Author Bryce G. Hoffman, AOL

There is little question that Ford, under the leadership of CEO Alan Mulally, has perhaps never looked better in terms of product and financial stability.

But it's been less than four years since the company's stock was hovering near $1.00 a share. The Ford family was making noise about selling out. And Mulally was actually lampooned on Saturday Night Live.

Bryce G. Hoffman, a reporter for The Detroit News, has penned a new book, American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company, on the fall and rise of the Blue Oval. The book really begins with the 2000-2001 Firestone tire recall, continues through the 2008 financial meltdown and eventually finishes with the comeback and reformation of the company under Mulally.

David Kiley, Editor-in-Chief of our sister site, AOL Autos, reviews the book here for HuffingtonPost Detroit, bu you can check out a video interview with Hoffman talking all things Ford after the jump.

Continue reading Book Review: Bryce G. Hoffman's new American Icon book on Ford [w/video]

Book Review: Bryce G. Hoffman's new American Icon book on Ford [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american iconamerican icon: alan mulally and the fight to save ford motor combook reviewbryce g. hoffmanbryce hoffmanfordford bookford motor companyhoffmanSat, 24 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2013 Ford Flex]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/2013-ford-flex-first-drive-road-test-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/2013-ford-flex-first-drive-road-test-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/2013-ford-flex-first-drive-road-test-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Freshly Tweaked For A Second Life

2013 Ford Flex

Ford has not been long known for polarizing design. The company's styling philosophy has read more closely along the lines of "cheap and cheerful." But when it brought out the Flex in 2008 as a 2009 model, Ford started down a road of trying to be more expressive, emotional and evocative in the design of its crossovers and SUVs, not just with the Mustang.

For Ford, the Flex has been one of those hollow victories. The people who buy it love its Mini-Cooper-on-a-high-protein-diet look, especially with the available two-tone paint jobs, and the comfortable packaging and cruising ride they get without bumping up to a frumpy minivan. The trouble is that there haven't been enough of those happy buyers taking the plunge.

Ford sold just 27,000 Flex models last year, down 20 percent from the year before - not exactly one of CEO Alan Mulally's homeruns. Also, its marketing has been confused since its debut. Ford initially pitched it as a cool urban crew wagon - think Funkmaster Flex. The advertising Powerpoint presentation actually said "No dog drool." No kidding. The high-concept ads were all shot at night on city streets. It bombed. Soon after launch, we saw families and even a dog or two in ads.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford flexfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveflexfordreviewroad testFri, 23 Mar 2012 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford makes voice control easier for iPad and other devices]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/ford-makes-voice-control-easier-for-ipad-and-other-devices/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/ford-makes-voice-control-easier-for-ipad-and-other-devices/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/ford-makes-voice-control-easier-for-ipad-and-other-devices/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ford is making it easier to access tablet devices in its cars, enabling users of iPad, Kindle, Nook and other tablets to control their devices with their voices instead of their hands.

The move is bound to set safety advocates atwitter, who argue there are already too many distractions behind the wheel. Just last month the issue again took front stage after the death of 18-year-old Taylor Sauer, who crashed her car into a tanker truck while texting. Ford, however, said the upgrade of its MyFord Touch system is out of concern for driver safety.

"Drivers are bringing these devices into the car already," said Alan Hall, a spokesman for Ford. "We're allowing them to access the content in a safer way."

Ford began shipping upgrades to its voice-activated MyFord Touch entertainment system on Monday, with the tablet compatibility built in. The automaker has taken a big hit to its quality reputation because of MyFord Touch, which consumers have complained is slow, unreliable and hard to use.

The upgrade to MyFord Touch and its underlying SYNC technology allows more devices to work with voice activation or through controls on the steering wheel, although most still won't charge. Devices including the iPad, Kindle Fire, HP Touchpad, Nook Color and Sony Tablet S need more electricity than Ford's outlets provide.

Ford hopes the iPad 3, set to be revealed today, will be compatible with the upgrade, Ostrowski said. He also said that Ford engineers will have to order iPad 3s like everyone else to find out.

Ford makes voice control easier for iPad and other devices originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefordipadipad 3myford touchsyncWed, 07 Mar 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: Romney doubles down on auto bailout opposition?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/18/romney-doubles-down-on-auto-bailout-opposition/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/18/romney-doubles-down-on-auto-bailout-opposition/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/18/romney-doubles-down-on-auto-bailout-opposition/#comments

GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is trailing in the polls in Michigan ahead of that state's February 28 primary, and the former Mass. Governor thinks the way to close the gap is to bash the bailout of the auto industry in 2009 that saved General Motors and Chrysler from being broken up and liquidated in bankruptcy court.

Romney's timing is tough, what with GM's setting an all-time record profit for 2011.

Polls have suggested that despite the obvious benefit from the bailout to Michigan, state residents have been divided about whether Uncle Sam should have stepped in to keep the automakers in tact.

My big beef with Romney is not that he opposes the bailout in principle (though he did support the bailout of Wall Street), but that he fictionalizes events of 2009 when GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy. Romney asserts that the companies could have gone through a managed bankruptcy without the help of the federal government. Not true.

Perhaps a better tack for Romney would be to suggest that as long as GM is making such huge profits the company might pay back some of the loans granted it under President Bush. GM got billions before the bankruptcy that it is not required to pay back.

Read my entire column about Romney's odd take on history at HuffingtonPost Detroit.

Romney doubles down on auto bailout opposition? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutchryslerdavid kileygeneral motorsgopmichiganmitt romneyprimaryrepublicanSat, 18 Feb 2012 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: AdSpotting: No Joy in Bimmerville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/adspotting-no-joy-in-bimmerville/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/adspotting-no-joy-in-bimmerville/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/adspotting-no-joy-in-bimmerville/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Company: BMW of North America

Medium: TV and the Internet

Ad Agency: Kirschenbaum, Bond, Senecal + Partners

Product: 2012 BMW 3 Series

Campaign: "The Ultimate Driving Machine"

What We Like: There is no joy in Bimmerville. Not any more. In truth, BMW has not really been advertising "Joy of Driving," or "Joy" anything, for about a year. It had already returned to using the world's best ad slogan, "The Ultimate Driving Machine," after many months of defending "Joy," as well as some executive changes. But a new ad effort for the all-new 3 Series puts UDM center stage again in a way that underscores the company's commitment to an ad slogan everyone seems to love.

There are six video shorts running mostly on the web, but also as TV ads. In fact, one of the shorts, touting the car's system that reads email aloud to the driver, ran as a local ad during the Super Bowl. Each "short" ad, which focuses on a single feature of the car, ends with a hunky-sounding voiceover asserting with no doubt in his voice: "We only make one thing. The Ultimate Driving Machine."

BMW has a raft of new products coming this year and next, as well as rolling out two complex platforms of technology - EfficientDynamics and BMW ConnectDrive. It seems like a good idea to spotlight one product benefit per ad the way this campaign does, and have each play off a few bigger TV ads for the 3 Series that focus on the image of the whole car, and its reputation as the best sports sedan in the world.

What We Don't Like: The focus on individual features like a heated steering wheel, adjustable seats or emails read aloud in the car seems more Volkswagen than BMW. The voiceover sounds like he drinks whiskey, but the overall feel of the ads and the focus on "fun features" feels more Brandy Alexander.

We note that Cadillac advertised its soon-to-be launched ATS sedan during the Super Bowl, and referred to the 3 Series as "The best in the world." We are looking for more ads from BMW's new ad agency that have some guts, majesty and the faint aroma of burning rubber and brake dust.

Strategy: BMW seems to shy away form the guts, grit and red-blooded desire for a great driving machine that is the heart of its brand image. Yeah, yeah... we know... women are looking for a more approachable BMW. Married men need for their wives to bless the Bimmer purchase. And this collection of video shorts is a step in the right direction. A 30-second ad that shows us the 3 Series zipping around city streets and hairpin turns is even a bigger step as the TV spot also spotlights the 3's surprising 36 mpg highway few economy. We'd still like to see BMW guts and glory show a nit more often.

Grade: A-

Watch the ads after the jump and give them your own grade below.

View Poll

Continue reading AdSpotting: No Joy in Bimmerville

AdSpotting: No Joy in Bimmerville originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw 3 series3 seriesadspottingbmwThu, 16 Feb 2012 16:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ford Motor Co. today made several big-name executive and boardroom announcements, including the appointment of a former Republican presidential candidate, but none changed the almost certain succession of CEO and President Alan Mulally.

Mulally said Thursday with a snicker, "I looked over the press release very clearly and saw that my name was not among those retiring."

Mulally announced Thursday that Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth (above, middle), 63, and Group Vice President and Global Product Development Chief Derrick Kuzak (above, left), 60, are retiring effective April 1. Booth will be replaced by Vice President and Controller Bob Shanks, and Kuzak will be replaced by VP of Engineering and Global Product Development Raj Nair. Both successions involve executives who have long been groomed for the top jobs, and represent orderly transition at Ford.

Ford's board of directors, which cleared the new executive appointments in their Wednesday meeting this week, also announced the addition of former Utah Governor, U.S. Ambassador to China and recent Republican presidential candidate John Huntsman Jr. (above, right) to the board. Huntsman represents an addition, and their were no board retirements.

Continue reading Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board

Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyderrick kuzakfordjohn huntsmanlewis boothmark fieldsThu, 09 Feb 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: Is this Fiat Abarth ad good enough for the Super Bowl?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/is-this-fiat-abarth-ad-good-enough-for-the-super-bowl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/is-this-fiat-abarth-ad-good-enough-for-the-super-bowl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/is-this-fiat-abarth-ad-good-enough-for-the-super-bowl/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Fiat USA put a video showcasing the 500 Abarth on the Internet last November that tested the bounds of what is doable on network TV. That's one of the big reasons it hasn't been put on TV yet.

You'll see what we mean when you view the ad, titled "Seduction," after the jump. It was the foam that made it iffy for the networks.

But we chatted with Chrysler marketing chief Olivier Francois at the Detroit Auto Show about Super Bowl commercials where advertisers are known to push the envelope. In the Chrysler-Fiat world of double titles, Francois is also CEO of Fiat.

Francois, who is considering a few options for the big game, is wondering if the Abarth video is Super Bowl worthy, and wants to know what Autoblog readers think about the spot. Good enough for the big game, also known as the Super Bowl of advertising?

Chrysler, of course, was the toast of the Super Bowl in 2011, showing an unprecedented two-minute ad featuring Eminem's "Lose Yourself," an appearance by Eminem himself and the new ad theme, "Imported From Detroit."

It's a high bar to reach again.

What do you think? Does this Abarth ad have the right stuff?

View Poll

Continue reading Is this Fiat Abarth ad good enough for the Super Bowl?

Is this Fiat Abarth ad good enough for the Super Bowl? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012500500 abarthfiatsuper bowlsuper bowl commercialsThu, 19 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AOL Autos 2012 Car of the Year

AOL Autos 2012 Truck of the YearAOL Autos, sibling channel to Autoblog, has chosen a Car of the Year and Truck of the Year for the first time.

Editor-in-Chief David Kiley dubbed the awards, "Editors' Choice Awards", reflecting the fact that the selections were made by polling AOL Editors for their nominations. Their choices were discussed and consolidated with winners and three runners up per category.

Autoblog editors and staff did not participate in voting.

"Since we test just about every vehicle on the market, and certainly all the newly designed vehicles that come out, I felt like we should assert our collective opinion into the mix," said Kiley.

"This was a very good year for cars, which made it tough, but not a great year for eligible SUVs and trucks. But I feel really strongly about the choices we made; that both vehicles could win in any year," said Kiley.

To see the winners and runner-ups, click here. And please, argue the selections in the comment areas.

AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 aol autos car of the year2012 aol autos suv of the year2012 aol autos truck of the yearaol autoscar of the yearsuv of the yeartruck of the yearFri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Utility Knife For The Sensible Shoes Crowd



There are stories in every culture about a young man or woman who is supposed to marry someone sensible, attractive, a good cook and good provider. But when the protagonist of the story meets the would-be fiancee's more interesting, vivacious, funny and unconventional sibling or best friend, sparks fly and the original relationship doesn't stand a chance.

And so it was when we drove the 2013 Subaru XV through the roads and highways of Tuscany. On Day One, we drove the version the U.S. will get in the third quarter of next year. The first thing to hit us: déjà vu. This is the 2012 Impreza hatchback, albeit with cladding above the wheel wells and a a seriously jacked up stance. It will have the same, brand-new 2.0-liter flat-four as the Impreza hatch we tested a few months ago that is just hitting dealer lots. So what's the verdict? The XV can cook an acceptable pot of tomato sauce and cleans up nicely for Sunday mass. She's a nice girl and good company.

We should have left it there. We should have called it a test after Day One. We should have simply driven off with the girl we came to meet. Why? Because on day two of our drive, we met the cousin with the better personality, the longer legs, the Sophia Loren cheekbones and the killer personality: the 2.0 liter turbo-diesel with the manual transmission. We drove her through the winding back roads north of Florence amidst the Chianti vineyards, villages and Fiat fix-it shops, but she refuses to come to the States. You see, she will only date Europeans.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 subaru impreza xv2013 subaru xv crosstrekcrosstrekfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveimprezasubarusubaru xvxvxv crosstrekTue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: AdSpotting: Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/08/jeep-wrangler-call-of-duty-mw3-video-adspotting/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/08/jeep-wrangler-call-of-duty-mw3-video-adspotting/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/08/jeep-wrangler-call-of-duty-mw3-video-adspotting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Company: Chrysler

Brand: Jeep

Medium: Multimedia

Ad Agency: Global Hue

Product: Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition

Campaign: "Toughest Vehicle in the World."

What We Like: Not all of us are video gamers. But there is apparently a big overlap between Jeep Wrangler buyers and those who worship the most popular video game franchise on the planet: Call of Duty. Jeep's latest ad campaign puts the Wrangler back in the franchise's latest installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which went on sale today. This is a sequel to last year's successful partnership between Jeep and Call of Duty: Black Ops. The TV and web advertisements for this new campaign work like trailers for Modern Warfare 3, while the billboard and print ads carry through the look and feel of the Call of Duty world.

Given the Wrangler's history when it comes to warfare, especially World War II, this co-branding is a natural fit. If you are a gamer, it's cool. And even if you aren't a gamer, it looks pretty neat and gives Jeep an alternative environment (apart from mountains and streams) to place the Wrangler. We especially like the copy line in the print ads that says on one page, "Toughest Vehicle in the World," and on the second page, "The Toughest Vehicle in any World."

What We Don't Like: Unless video games that take place amidst warfare aren't your cup of tea, there's not much to criticize here. We can potentially see some of the more environment-loving Jeep enthusiast base not cottoning to the warfare association, but that's probably not enough to get them out of their Wranglers anyway.

Strategy: Zounds! According to numbers supplied by Chrysler, nine million people play Call of Duty every night. That's a bigger audience than those watch Bill O'Reilly and Rachel Maddow combined. This is a slam-dunk deal for Jeep, and the company extends into the real world with a special edition Call of Duty: MW3 Wrangler that sells at a price premium and is over-sold.

Grade: A

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AdSpotting: Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 jeep wranglercall of dutyjeepjeep wrangler call of duty mw3 special editionmodern warfare 3mw3mw3 special editionwranglerwrangler unlimitedTue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[AdSpotting: Jennifer Lopez and Fiat "Back To The Bronx"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/adspotting-jennifer-lopez-and-fiat-back-to-the-bronx/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/adspotting-jennifer-lopez-and-fiat-back-to-the-bronx/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/adspotting-jennifer-lopez-and-fiat-back-to-the-bronx/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

J. Lo in the Fiat 500

Company: Fiat USA

Brand: Fiat

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Doner, Southfield,MI

Product: Fiat 500C

Campaign: Life Is Best When Driven

What We Like: Technically, this is the first ad shot by Fiat with Jennifer Lopez. The first airing of the J. Lo/Fiat partnership was last month when the Italian automaker began running a cut-down version of a new Lopez video that features the 500. That video drew fire from some of the blogosphere. One wag actually said it was the worst car ad he had ever seen. Really? We don't think so. Fiat is chasing awareness, and fast. What better way than to link up with one of the hottest music, film and TV pop stars. The video and this ad don't get into the performance or experience of driving a 500C, but this is meant unabashedly to drive pure awareness, curiosity and conversation. Based on online search data and YouTube views, the strategy is working. Since Lopez has a big crossover audience among both Latinos and non-Latinos, she is also a pretty logical medium through which to attract people. Latinos are also arguably more aware of Fiat as a brand than U.S.A. drivers since the brand has long been distributed in South America. Fiat has for years retained the top spot in Brazil's auto market, which is among the world's fastest growing.

The ad features Lopez driving the 500C through the Bronx where she was born. It has a bit of the feel, in terms of the way it was shot, of the "Imported From Detroit" ads Chrysler is now running with gritty looking shots of Detroit.

What We Don't Like: The opening of the video has J. Lo saying, "Here... this is my world..." Lopez was born in the Bronx in 1969. And while we have no doubt that she has a soft spot for the Bronx, she has, according to online reports, been living in a gated house in Long Island and just recently bought an $18-million place in the Hamptons. These neighborhoods - pickup basketball games, break dancers, barbershops and graffiti - may be in the veins of Lopez, in her roots, but they aren't much a part of her life today. The closing scene of the ad with kids running after her car? What's up with that? How about pulling over and hanging out? She does get out of the car and hug a few kids in front of what we are led to believe might be the building in which she grew up.

We figure Lopez exerted script approval before shooting the ad, but we might have suggested writing more honest sounding prose - and maybe just a little something about the car - for her to say in the voiceover.

Strategy: Fiat has been out of the U.S. for 25 years, and is unknown to most U.S. car buyers - unless they are from or have spent a lot of time in Italy and Latin America - under the age of 40. The company is trying to get people talking about and recognizing Fiat. The company was slow to open its Fiat studios since launching last spring, so it is behind in meeting its U.S. sales target. With a high-profile media buy on the NFL, and getting 500s into rental fleets, it is trying to jumpstart its awareness.

The Fiat 500 has a lot of potential. The engine is a little under-powered, the backseat a bit cramped, and the fuel economy under-delivers a bit on expectations for a car this small. But the design of the car inside and out is just plain fun. And the 500C, the cabrio, is a blast to drive with the cloth roman-shade-style top retracted. Fiat did a nice job of preserving the elements of the 500 that make you feel like you are driving a cool little European car, which, of course, you are.

Grade: B+

Watch the ad after the jump and give it your own grade below.


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AdSpotting: Jennifer Lopez and Fiat "Back To The Bronx" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500500cad spottingadspottingdavid kileyfiatfiat adj loj. lojennifer lopezjlojlo fiatTue, 11 Oct 2011 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: AdSpotting: New Ram ads push horses as brand looks for growth]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/adspotting-new-ram-ads-push-horses-as-brand-looks-for-growth/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/adspotting-new-ram-ads-push-horses-as-brand-looks-for-growth/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/adspotting-new-ram-ads-push-horses-as-brand-looks-for-growth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Company: Chrysler

Brand: Ram

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: The Richards Group, Dallas

Product: Ram Pickup

Campaign: "Code of the West"

What We Like: There is a lot of rational left-brain advertising in the auto sector these days, especially in the pickup truck category. Take Ford, which has fast-talking, urbane actor/comedian Dennis Leary rattling off all kinds of numbers about fuel economy, towing capacity, etc. A new Ram ad campaign, launched a few months ago, goes the other way, continuing to use cowboy actor Sam Elliott whose leathery vocal chords seem to ooze images of toughness, heroism and even nostalgia for the kind of old-school work ethic that built the frontier. Indeed, this whole campaign seems to point one's thinking and emotions toward Gary Cooper's code of honor in the film classic "High Noon," and uses sets and locales that were actually used for the HBO series "Deadwood."

The two new ads in the campaign, carrying the tagline "Guts. Glory. Ram," and revolving around a theme of "Code of the West," actually takes the cowboy imagery Chrysler is establishing and dials in a bit of left brain info: the fact that Ram gets 20 mpg with its V8 Hemi, and another TV spot for the Power Wagon that shows the pickup rock crawling.

The best overall ad campaign for trucks we ever saw was Chevy's "Like A Rock." It combined a great music track with emotionally driven imagery that set the stage for any left-brain messaging GM wanted to convey. It was signature creative in its day. This Ram effort fills a void vacated by Chevy - asserting the truck and an advertising story line that makes you want to option up your next Ram for the saddle leather upholstery (if you can afford it), and get the "Big Horn" belt-buckle.

What We Don't Like: The Power Wagon TV spot shows off the truck's rock crawling capability, and asserts that Ram is the only truck "off the line" that can do that. But the truck is just climbing up a mound of rocks... to what end? How about making the point by showing a story of why the truck has to crawl those rocks?

There is a line in the campaign, though not in these two new ads, that proclaims: "There is No Middle Ground." Call us over-analytical, but while we know this is an ad about a truck and maintaining standards of excellence, the "No Middle Ground" as an idea is going to lose currency very quickly as the whole country comes to realize that out economic survival depends on political leaders finding just that - some middle ground. We'd hate to see a scene from the campaign used by far right wingers to make a point about something that has nothing to do with trucks.

And hey... how about some real music attached to this campaign.

Strategy: It's not Dodge Ram any more. The company, under the direction of Fiat, has separated Dodge cars and crossovers from the truck business. So, it's just Ram now. Company executives point to a 26% increase in business this year as evidence that the strategy and campaign are working to drive traffic. Some future Ram products are going to be adapted from Fiat commercial vehicles, we think. It will be interesting to see how the company morphs this very compelling creative to support those vehicles, unless Sam Elliott remains Ram pickup exclusive. Then again, wouldn't it be cool to see spagetti western style ads? Paging Clint Eastwood.

Grade: B+

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AdSpotting: New Ram ads push horses as brand looks for growth originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adspottingdodgeramram advertisingram trucksMon, 15 Aug 2011 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[AdSpotting: Prius goes funny... At Last]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/adspotting-prius-goes-funny-at-last/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/adspotting-prius-goes-funny-at-last/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/adspotting-prius-goes-funny-at-last/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

steve nash parking dance

Company: Toyota Motor Sales

Brand: Toyota

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Saatchi and Saatchi

Product: Prius

Campaign:"What Happens After Practice"

What We Like: Going to back when Toyota launched its very amusing campaign for its Sienna "Swagger Wagon" TV ad and Youtube videos, the Japanese automaker has been looking for ways to engage consumers by not taking its very practical models so damn seriously. The Prius is an unabashed market success. It defines the hybrid segment. And it is the market leader in fuel economy. It does everything but run on actual crunchy granola in the gas tank. Prius ads do not need to play up the fact that they are super fuel efficient. Everyone knows. So, as we showed you a few days ago, turning to this approach of having NBA star Steve Nash talk about how driven he is, as if it was a Nike ad, is a creative homerun. His deadpan monologue about how competitive he is, talking about making constant adjustments and improvements to his game, while driving a Prius and finally edging out a grandma for a parking space is a way to stand out from the usual hybrid ad that merely screams the highway fuel economy rating. Gotta love Nash's trash-talk dance at the end too.

What We Don't Like: Tough one here. The agency nailed it.

Strategy: Prius has owned the hybrid market. But it is undeniable that Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Dearborn, MI automaker's coming C-Max all hybrid brand will begin to cut into Prius's perceived leadership. If there is a weakness in the Prius brand at all, it is that it is widely viewed as a car for celery eaters. Honestly, the current Prius is a bit bloodless to drive. Pumping some hemoglobin into it via clever advertising that doesn't take the car so deadly serious seems like a decent idea for a brand that is this mature.

Grade: A

Watch the video after the jump and give it your own grade below.

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AdSpotting: Prius goes funny... At Last originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adspottingdavid kileypriussteve nashsteve nash priustoyotatoyota prius commercialFri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AdSpotting: Kia "Joyride II" is warm, fuzzy and memorable]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adspotting-kia-joyride-ii-is-warm-fuzzy-and-memorable/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adspotting-kia-joyride-ii-is-warm-fuzzy-and-memorable/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adspotting-kia-joyride-ii-is-warm-fuzzy-and-memorable/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Kia Joyride II
Kia Joyride II - Click above to watch the video after the break

Company: Kia Motors America

Brand: Kia

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: David & Goliath

Product: 2012 Kia Sorento

Campaign: "Joyride II"

What We Like: It's getting pretty hard to stand out. Seriously... another crossover? Kia has established a signature sound, look and feel for its ads. This ad, in fact, is a sequel to a TV ad that ran last year, and scored well with consumers. And anyone who knows anything about advertising will tell you that establishing a recognizable ad signature is very important if a brand wants to have an ongoing dialogue with car shoppers. Agency David & Goliath has done a really nice job the last two years of creating a presence on the airwaves for Kia. The ads are silly, of course. But they are fun to watch, and give you the idea that this is a premium outfitted vehicle with a decent interior and all the connectivity you really need. Lots of brands struggle with what they want to say and be. Kia is not one of them.

What We Don't Like: It's guilty pleasure, like actually opening the link of the kitten video one of your friends posted on Facebook.

Strategy: Over here! Over here! Notice me! Pay attention! When I come on the screen, pause and watch. Don't get a soda, or go to the john! Kia's vehicles have come a long way. The Optima, for example, is a huge surprise and for our money is actually better fitted out than its Korean cousin - the Hyundai Sonata. Kia's problems are two-fold: It still lags in third party quality rankings from outfits like J.D. Power and Associates, and it is not getting enough serious consideration from people who have decent credit scores.

Seriously, why else would you turn to hamsters and stuffed animals in commercials? It's to be remembered, and liked, especially by female buyers. After these ads run, online searches for Kia go up, and that's exactly the point of the exercise.

Grade: A-

Watch the commercial after the jump and give it your own grade below.

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AdSpotting: Kia "Joyride II" is warm, fuzzy and memorable originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adspottingdavid kileyfunny car commercialjoyridekiakia joyride iikia videokid adWed, 22 Jun 2011 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[AdSpotting: Lexus Declares Itself "Future-Proof"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/ad-spotting-lexus-declares-itself-future-proof/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/ad-spotting-lexus-declares-itself-future-proof/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/ad-spotting-lexus-declares-itself-future-proof/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lexus Hybrid Future Proof ad
Lexus declares itself Future Proof - Click above to watch the video after the break

Company: Toyota Motor Sales

Brand: Lexus

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Team One

Product: Lexus Brand

Campaign: "Engineering Amazing."

What We Like: There is a swagger in the ads, and a tone and creative quality that hearkens back to when Lexus was launching as a new luxury brand in 1989 and 90. Call us car geeks, but we like the stories of how Lexus had to invent new processes, like a 3D loom to weave carbon fiber that is strong enough for its intended purpose. Innovating plastic that can be recycled infinitely sounds pretty cool, too, though we would discourage the company from using the stuff over and over again in its interiors, some of which lately seem to look like they were designed at the Igloo Cooler company. The close of one ad just released, titled "A New Era of Lexus Innovation," finishes on the track, and gives the brand a youthful energy - not unimportant since the vast majority of Lexus buyers lately also reap AARP discounts. In "Wall," a Lexus LS crashes a wall of beakers and vials each holding a different "alternative" fuel, such as bio-diesel, algae, liquid hydrogen, and so on. Lexus makes the point that its Hybrid Drive technology will optimize any fuel system on the planet, and that its technology is "future-proof." That's swagger.

What We Don't Like: Lexus has a way of making its ads sound like the brand is the last word in innovation. We guess that's what they were shooting for. It is, after all, advertising. But it's hard not to react with a bit of a jaundiced eye when we stop to consider just how pointless the hybrid system actually is in big cars like the Lexus LS. The fuel economy gain is negligible, and at a lot of extra cost. Seriously, $112,250 for the LS600h, about $45K more than an LS460? Want to impress us? Start mating your bigger vehicles to a diesel engine, which would be far more appropriate to the vehicles than hybrids. Also, you could work on the plastics aesthetics on the lower-priced Lexus models.

Strategy: Lexus has a well-known age problem. The age of its buyers has crept consistently over 60, and it muffed its cycle plans by having too many new core models come out at the same time. Some of the vehicles are long in the tooth. This campaign is filled with tech, messages about sustainability, race-track footage. We aren't saying Toyota is trying to out the brand on roller skates, but it is clearly using story-telling techniques to give fresh life to its innovations. That's a good idea, and they should keep at it.

"This isn't just a campaign, it's a statement that, for Lexus, the best is yet to come," says Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus. "It's not about simply making incremental strides and improvements, but about taking giant leaps in innovation." These ads and this approach is slated to run through January, so it is a major push to super-charge the way customers think of Lexus.

Grade: B+

Watch five of the commercials after the jump and give the campaign your own grade below.

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AdSpotting: Lexus Declares Itself "Future-Proof" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ad spottingadspottingdavid kileyengineering amazingfuture prooflexuslexus adlexus commercialtoyotaFri, 17 Jun 2011 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ad Spotting: VW Gets Serious About Pushing Diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Can I Drive ad
Volkswagen Jetta TDI "Can I Drive" - Click above to watch the video after the break

Company: Volkswagen of America

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Deutsch/LA

Product: 2011 Jetta TDI

Campaign: "Can I Drive"

What We Like: That VW is putting some money behind marketing its clean diesel models. VW's sister company, Audi, has long been pushing its diesel offerings, while VW seemed to be mostly letting its enthusiast audience do word-of-mouth for the TDI line. The focus of this ad is on the fuel economy, 42 mpg on highway, which is simple, told through a brief story about a teenager who wants to take his turn driving.

What We Don't Like: Not much at all. We see the data point on 42 mpg, which is an eye-catcher. But maybe ad agency Deutsch could have dialed in an extra graphic or data point that shows how far one can drive on a full tank.

Strategy: Clean diesel is much misunderstood by the general consuming public, as well as 99 out of 100 legislators who, it seems, would rather be caught in a New Orleans hotel room with an escort than photographed promoting diesel cars. Hybrids, electrics and even hydrogen cars we will never drive? Members of Congress flock to those photo ops faster than they do a Wall Street hedge fund manager with his checkbook open. But diesel, their campaign managers, tell them doesn't sell. To hell with them. TDI vehicles rock, and get much better mpg than a Camry Hybrid.

This ad is squeaky clean and is as sparkly and wholesome as a hybrid ad. The 42-mpg figure is meant to get TV viewers to search on the car when they see it on TV. There, they will see several links to VW-created content before they get to a Car and Driver review of the car. They'll have to go a lot further into Google to find carping from anti-diesel bloggers or belly-aching from the uninformed who think if they gave a diesel car they will find themselves stranded in the middle of Idaho with no way to fuel up. Good job on the search-engine-optimization VW!

Grade: A -

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Ad Spotting: VW Gets Serious About Pushing Diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiadspottingdavid kileyjettajetta tditdivolkswagenThu, 19 May 2011 16:58:00 EST