Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Opinion: Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Can Qoros Make A Difference Outside The Walls Of China?

Qoros badge

I know of no sober industry executive who fears a Chinese entry into the US.

Qoros is a venture between the Israeli Israel Corp. and state-owned Chinese company Chery. Chery, up to now, has been known mostly for "appropriating" western designs and having an ill-fated, ridiculous and half-baked venture with Malcolm Bricklin to bring Chery vehicles to the United States a few years ago. Bricklin was an original distributor of Subaru and Yugo in the US. The only people to find any success in that venture were the lawyers.

But what gets my attention now with Qoros is that the company seems to be addressing the cultural mistakes and barriers that have bedeviled every other Chinese automaker with aspirations to be successful beyond China. It is using non-Chinese executives - people with legitimate experience in the Western auto industry - in the areas of design, engineering and distribution.

Heretofore, I have been bored silly watching Chinese automakers like Chery, Great Wall and BYD either come to the Detroit Auto Show with a car, or strike some preposterous distribution deal with the hacks and ne'er-do-wells of the western auto retailing space. It's been all for naught. These cars and ventures have been so inept and awful that I know of no sober industry executive who fears a Chinese entry into the US.

Continue reading Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west

Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachinese carsdavid kileyopinionqorosqoros 3 sedanWed, 24 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: Lincoln needs a farewell address, not a new marketing plan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/lincoln-needs-a-farewell-address-not-a-new-marketing-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/lincoln-needs-a-farewell-address-not-a-new-marketing-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/lincoln-needs-a-farewell-address-not-a-new-marketing-plan/#commentsFiled under:

Lincoln grille

The trouble with Ford's Lincoln brand is that no one cares about it any more.

Not long after I heard that Mark LaNeve, chief operating officer of Ford agency Team Detroit, was moving to take over direct operations of the New York ad agency Hudson Rouge for Lincoln, I heard that JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson was ousted. The two events are connected.

There can be all sorts of reasons why LaNeve, former head of sales and marketing at General Motors, is taking over the office that was under the direction of Cameron McNaughton since it was opened last year to serve Lincoln. But the bottom line reason: The plan to save Lincoln is not working.

As I was listening to the discussion about JCPenney's Johnson and his mistakes, I heard two talking heads discussing it. One said it perfectly: "Johnson's mistake was not in moving JCPenney to an everyday low-pricing strategy, it was taking the job in the first place. JCPenney has no reason to exist. It's reason for being is gone. It was once the place where America bought its underwear, but now they buy their underwear all sorts of other places."

I have been saying for about two years now that the trouble with Ford's Lincoln brand is that no one cares about it any more. Okay, Lincoln dealers and some current and ex-Ford employees, some of those in the airport livery and hearse businesses care. That's not a business model, though. Ford is going to try and force Lincoln on China, I hear. The Chinese want Lincoln? I doubt that.

Continue reading Lincoln needs a farewell address, not a new marketing plan

Lincoln needs a farewell address, not a new marketing plan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lincolnopinionTue, 09 Apr 2013 18:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: General Motors shaking up its marketing... again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/general-motors-shaking-up-its-marketing-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/general-motors-shaking-up-its-marketing-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/general-motors-shaking-up-its-marketing-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



One of the things that dogs the full comeback of General Motors is the instability of its marketing. That part of the automaker got yet another big shakeup today when GM confirmed what I have been tweeting for a few days - strong rumors that the Chevrolet and Cadillac ad accounts are walking to new ad agencies.

Cadillac, GM's luxury brand, is going into review from Fallon Worldwide, Minneapolis and the indications are that Campbell-Ewald, Chevy's old ad shop, will end up with most or all of it. C-E just announced that it was moving from its long-time home in Warren, MI to a new downtown Detroit office next to Ford Field, just blocks from GM.

The other shoe to drop shortly will be the shift of GM's most important brand, Chevy, from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners of San Francisco to McCann-Erickson of Troy, MI. McCann used to be the agency for Buick and GMC, as well as GM's corporate advertising, and has retained some pieces of business over the last few years. Sources have even told us that it was McCann that did a lot of the creative work on Chevy's new ad platform, Find New Roads. (Not to be confused with a former McCann tagline for Saab, "Find Your Own Road.")

Continue reading General Motors shaking up its marketing... again

General Motors shaking up its marketing... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbuickcadillaccampbell-ewaldchevroletgeneral motorsgmgmcmarketingmccann-ericksonWed, 13 Mar 2013 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Mercedes says it's tops in luxury sales for 2012, not BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/mercedes-says-its-tops-in-luxury-sales-for-2012-not-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/mercedes-says-its-tops-in-luxury-sales-for-2012-not-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/mercedes-says-its-tops-in-luxury-sales-for-2012-not-bmw/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It turns out that Mercedes-Benz North America has legitimate claim to being the top selling luxury nameplate in the US in 2012.

While sources such as Autodata had put BMW in the top spot, registration data from R.L. Polk shows that Mercedes customers registering new vehicles topped the Bavarian automaker in the most recent calendar year. Polk says Benz posted 274,123 registrations, compared with BMW's 268,498.

In terms of sales posted, BMW had bested Benz 281,460 to 274,134. But sales are recorded somewhat inconsistently from automaker to automaker. Some book the sales as soon as they are shipped from factory to dealer. There is perennial gamesmanship between the two German rivals, and the sales numbers suggest that BMW pushed out some extra sheetmetal to dealers in the last four weeks of the year.

Polk officials have not released their numbers to the public, but Autoblog obtained them from Mercedes-Benz.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the International Motor Press Association in New York City, Mercedes-Benz North America chief Steve Cannon said, "Cars sold to people in the calendar year who then register their vehicles seems to be a more accurate measure of real sales than just the raw sales numbers."

Cannon claims that BMW used "various methods" to beef up its sales in December, as Mercedes had been watching month-to-month registrations all year, and had been leading BMW for 11 months. Cannon said, "When you look at the difference between our sales and registrations, there is a discrepancy of 11. When you look at BMW's, there is a discrepancy of 13,000."

A BMW spokesman said the company stands by its sales figures.

Mercedes says it's tops in luxury sales for 2012, not BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 sales figuresbmwmercedes-benztop luxury brandTue, 19 Feb 2013 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/19/analyzing-de-nyscchens-25-year-comeback-plan-for-infiniti/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/19/analyzing-de-nyscchens-25-year-comeback-plan-for-infiniti/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/19/analyzing-de-nyscchens-25-year-comeback-plan-for-infiniti/#commentsFiled under: ,



"It took us 25 years to bring Audi back in the US. This kind of thing takes a long time."

When Johan De Nysschen left his post at Audi of America last year to take the seemingly thankless job of leading Infiniti's global operations, it seemed like a familiar scenario. Like Michael Dukakis going from one of two men that could have won the White House to teaching political science at an obscure Florida college.

De Nysschen was a key architect in rebuilding Audi in the US, from a punchline about "sudden acceleration" in the 1980s, to being a truly hot brand and legitimately vying with BMW and Mercedes-Benz for one-percenters' German car bucks. In talking about his task at Infiniti with me, he repeated a line that I wonder if he mentioned to Nissan-Renault honcho Carlos Ghosn at the hiring meeting: "It took us 25 years to bring Audi back in the US. This kind of thing takes a long time."

Continue reading Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti

Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25-year planinfinitijohan de nysschenopinionq50Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marchionne on Alfa's US return, Dodge Dart's powertrain weakness and minivan plans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/marchionne-on-alfas-us-return-dodge-darts-powertrain-weakness/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/marchionne-on-alfas-us-return-dodge-darts-powertrain-weakness/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/marchionne-on-alfas-us-return-dodge-darts-powertrain-weakness/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chrysler/Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne at Chrysler press conference

As a reporter covering an auto show, the one opportunity you never want to miss is going to the Sergio Marchionne press briefing.

"This undertaking to bring Alfa back is a one-shot deal... We are not going to do this twice."

There just aren't that many real characters left in the auto industry. Marchionne, who sits atop both Chrysler and Fiat, is not only one of the smartest execs in the business, but also the most frank. Herein, a sample of the quotable always-sweatered executive:

A controversial remark on the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States:

"This undertaking to bring Alfa back is a one-shot deal... We are not going to do this twice... Alfas must have 'wop' engines... and we don't have the powertrains worked out just yet.. we won't put any Chrysler engines in Alfas, or Maseratis."

The production Alfa Romeo 4C sports car, which may be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, is not ready for a US launch, Marchionne said earlier this week at the Detroit Auto Show. But then, on January 18 at the INforum breakfast in Detroit, Marchionne reportedly reversed course and said the 4C will be ready for US dealers by the end of this year. Given how many delays have been suffered in Alfa's return plans, we'll file this under "wait and see."

Continue reading Marchionne on Alfa's US return, Dodge Dart's powertrain weakness and minivan plans

Marchionne on Alfa's US return, Dodge Dart's powertrain weakness and minivan plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dodge dart2014 alfa romeo 4c4calfa romeochryslerdart gtdodgefiatgrand caravanminivanssergio marchionnetown countrytown and countryFri, 18 Jan 2013 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Can the Chinese rescue Fisker?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/can-the-chinese-rescue-fisker/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/can-the-chinese-rescue-fisker/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/can-the-chinese-rescue-fisker/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Fisker Karma front three-quarter view

Fisker Automotive is aggressively courting Chinese automakers to bail it out of its financial problems.

Executives with knowledge of the discussions told Autoblog that Fisker representatives have made recent trips to China to discuss deals that include capital investment and outright acquisition scenarios. Those discussions are continuing this week at the Detroit Auto Show. Reuters first reported discussions between Fisker and Chinese companies.

While Fisker was once favored by many auto industry analysts and executives to get the better of rival Tesla Motors in the premium/luxury EV market, Fisker has had several setbacks to its operations. The launch of the Fisker Karma, the company's first model, has been beset with problems, as is often the case with a new car company. Its lithium-ion battery supplier, A123 Systems, went bankrupt. And the company lost hundreds of cars at its Newark port when Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey-New York coastline last fall.

In addition to needing investors, Fisker is also seeking strategic partners. Tesla, which had a successful initial public offering, for example, has both Toyota and Mercedes-Benz as investors and strategic partners.

Continue reading Can the Chinese rescue Fisker?

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 fisker karmaa123 systemschina grand automotivefiskerkarmawanxiangMon, 14 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda and Acura throw $700 million ad accounts to the Mad Men]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/honda-and-acura-throw-700-million-ad-accounts-to-the-mad-men/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/honda-and-acura-throw-700-million-ad-accounts-to-the-mad-men/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/honda-and-acura-throw-700-million-ad-accounts-to-the-mad-men/#comments

In the world of advertising, it's the equivalent of the Chicago Cubs winning the pennant or a Republican carrying Massachusetts in a presidential election. American Honda Motor Company has decided to hold a review of its $700 million ad account, which has been held by Santa Monica-based RPA agency (formerly Rubin Postaer and Associates) since 1986.

That is an eternity in the ad business. And ad industry professionals who have long slathered over the prospect of handling Honda never thought it would budge from the agency. The move is clearly being pushed by Michael Accavitti, who joined Honda as vice president of national marketing operations last year after a several years at Chrysler. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that Accavitti is the first outsider to take on the role at Honda in many years.

RPA had been churning out fairly forgettable advertising for Honda and Acura for a decade, until last year

"Both the Honda and Acura brands are rolling out incredibly strong new products. In the face of a changing media landscape and a hyper-competitive marketplace, our challenge is to create dynamic marketing campaigns that connect and engage consumers with our products and our brands," said Accavitti in a statement. "The review we have initiated will lead to a strong, long-term strategic plan for our brands."

RPA had been churning out fairly forgettable advertising for Honda and Acura for a decade, until last year when the agency seemed to wake up and create two pretty high-profile, high-energy ads for the 2012 Super Bowl. The Honda ad, for the new CR-V featured actor Matthew Broderick spoofing his iconic Ferris Bueller's Day Off role. And the Acura ad, for its not-yet-produced NSX sports car featured Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.

The timing may seem a bit odd as Honda has bounced back from last year's sales falloff due to the Japanese tsunami, and also posted its best November ever; though lots of automakers are posting best Novembers because of buyers in the Northeast rushing out with insurance checks to replace cars ruined by Hurricane Sandy.

It remains to be seen whether Honda will look at having two ad agencies, one each to represent Honda and one to handle Acura. RPA is being invited to pitch to keep the account, which it must do as the car account represents almost all of the agency's billings.

Let the Mad Men start ordering the pizza and washing down the white boards.

Honda and Acura throw $700 million ad accounts to the Mad Men originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: Mazda has right mix to chase 120,000 more US sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/mazda-has-right-mix-to-chase-120-000-more-us-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/mazda-has-right-mix-to-chase-120-000-more-us-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/mazda-has-right-mix-to-chase-120-000-more-us-sales/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Mazda MX-5 Miata was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for the eighth year in a row and for the fourteenth time overall. The CX-5 tops or comes in as runner-up on every AOL Autos staff poll we take on compact crossovers. The Mazda3 is a perennial favorite among auto critics. That's three clear, unquestioned winners in the Mazda showroom. So, why does Mazda seem to struggle sometimes for recognition and clarity in the marketplace?

For that, I chatted with Mazda North American Operations President, Jim O'Sullivan, who has run the outfit since 2003. O'Sullivan, a former Ford sales and marketing executive who came to Mazda from Dearborn, MI when Ford owned a controlling stake in Mazda, is one of the quieter, but very menchy, leaders in the industry whose longevity in the job speaks to the stability of Mazda.

Continue reading Mazda has right mix to chase 120,000 more US sales

Mazda has right mix to chase 120,000 more US sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jim osullivanmazdaopinionWed, 05 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/chrysler-launches-new-ram-ads-and-gears-up-for-super-bowl-xlv/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/chrysler-launches-new-ram-ads-and-gears-up-for-super-bowl-xlv/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/chrysler-launches-new-ram-ads-and-gears-up-for-super-bowl-xlv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Perhaps no car company has made bigger splashes in the last two years at the Super Bowl than Chrysler, and the automaker's marketing chief, Olivier Francois, said today that he plans to be all over the big game again in February.

Last year, the company made an ad featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. The spot achieved viral status quickly when pundits charged that Eastwood's lines were politically motivated; meant to appeal to progressive voters/viewers favoring a second term for President Obama. In 2011, agency Wieden & Kennedy burst into the game with a now famous commercial featuring Eminem. Both ads have supported Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" marketing platform.

Francois briefed reporters Monday at the Detroit Opera House while he also debuted a new series of ads for the Ram brand.

The new spots for the updated Ram 1500 have a theme of "Heaven and Earth," and speak to the lengths to which Ram will go to win over new buyers (read: Ford and Chevrolet truck owners). The brand, spun off from Dodge three years ago to its own franchise, continues using the deep, manly, seemingly tobacco-choked voice of actor Sam Elliott, who also appears in the ads.

We are going to see a lot of this campaign during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series. "With this truck launch we literally swing for the fences," said Fred Diaz, the head of the Ram division as well as president of Chrysler's Mexican operations. Get it?

Ram has been succeeding by focusing its messaging around the iconic Elliott, as well as making serious upgrades to the 2013 Ram 1500. Ram has also been spending resources targeting the Hispanic audience, whose pickup buying has been on the rise. Ram has seen its share of the light-duty pickup market surge 1.7 points to 17 percent among Hispanics in test markets. Ram has seen its overall share of the light and heavy pickup segment rise from 14.6 percent to 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2012.

Chrysler did more to the mid-cycle refresh for the Ram than is usually done on a vehicle. But under Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has made increasing share for the Ram a priority. "What started out as a minor freshening," said Diaz, "turned into a major overhaul." The 2013 Ram, which was already the pickup with the best road manners, got a new air suspension, and a new powertrain lineup including a V6 mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that returns a segment-best 25 miles per gallon on the highway; giving Ram bragging rights on fuel economy.

Have a look at four of the new Ram commercials below, where you'll also find the official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ram 1500advertisingchryslerclint eastwoodcommercialseminemramsam elliottsuper bowlsuper bowl xlvTue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sergio Marchionne calls VW execs 'reprehensible,' singles out Piech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/sergio-marchionne-calls-vw-execs-reprehensible-singles-out-pi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/sergio-marchionne-calls-vw-execs-reprehensible-singles-out-pi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/sergio-marchionne-calls-vw-execs-reprehensible-singles-out-pi/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fiat chairman Sergio Marchionne said Friday he will keep his title of President of the European Automotive Manufacturers Association [ACEA], a day after he excoriated Volkswagen executives for calling for his resignation and suggesting in public that Fiat would not survive the economic recession in Europe without a government rescue.

The ACEA CEOs met at the Paris Motor Show, as they do every year, Friday morning after Marchionne, meeting with reporters Thursday, dared VW executives to call for his resignation in the meeting, in compliance with the lobbying group's governance. Marchionne called "reprehensible" recent actions by VW executives, including supervisory board chairman Ferdinand Piech (right) and CEO Martin Winterkorn (left) for calling for his resignation from ACEA through the VW press office.

Indeed, Stephan Gruehsem, VW's chief spokesman, said in July that Marchionne was not qualified to head the ACEA and threatened that VW would quit the organization after a New York Times article said that Marchionne blamed VW's pricing strategy for creating a "bloodbath" in Europe.

Continue reading Sergio Marchionne calls VW execs 'reprehensible,' singles out Piech

Sergio Marchionne calls VW execs 'reprehensible,' singles out Piech originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferdinand piechfiatmartin winterkornparisparis 2012paris motor showsergio marchionnevolkswagenvwMon, 01 Oct 2012 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Followup: Production resumes at Chrysler plant after murder-suicide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/21/production-resumes-at-chrysler-plant-after-murder-suicide/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/21/production-resumes-at-chrysler-plant-after-murder-suicide/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/21/production-resumes-at-chrysler-plant-after-murder-suicide/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chrysler Jefferson North Plant

Production resumes today at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant in Detroit just one day after a tragedy on the line in which a worker slit the throat of another and then later killed himself.

Police said on Thursday that an ongoing dispute between two employees at the plant resulted in one stabbing the other at 7:50 AM, and then fleeing. He was found later Thursday on Belle Isle, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The names of the men were not confirmed by authorities, but co-workers and neighbors identified the man who killed his co-worker as Jeff Hunt and the slain co-worker as Keith Readus, sources have reported.

The Jefferson North plant produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

Read more here on the incident.

Production resumes at Chrysler plant after murder-suicide originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerdodgedurangogrand cherokeejeepjefferson northstabbingFri, 21 Sep 2012 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Jaguar's <em>Mad Men</em> bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/jaguars-mad-men-bump-and-how-the-brand-unknowingly-he/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/jaguars-mad-men-bump-and-how-the-brand-unknowingly-he/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/jaguars-mad-men-bump-and-how-the-brand-unknowingly-he/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Remember the story line in this year's Mad Men? The acclaimed series on AMC about an ad
agency in mid-1960s New York City [SPOILER ALERT] depicted the partners going after and ultimately landing the Jaguar account.

Today's Jaguar Cars did not advertise in the series, nor did it pay for any product or brand placement. But, according to spokesman Stuart Schorr, the company received more searches and traffic to its website during the episodes than companies that actually advertised during the series.

While not all of the story line was favorable to Jaguar, the company was certainly content with the attention, so much so that it ran an ad in Advertising Age congratulating the producers and cast.

One of the episodes showed a British account man at the fictional Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Lane Pryce, was so distraught over being asked for his resignation, that he tried to kill himself by asphyxiating himself in the Jag E-Type his wife had given him. As Pryce started the car, the engine wouldn't turn over. All too typical of a '60s vintage Jag.

Turns out that writers or researchers for the show had called Jaguar anonymously, posing as students, seeking information about Jaguar dealerships of the mid 1960s, specifically how they looked. They also found their way to vice president of brand vice president David Pryor to ask, "How do you make an E-Type not start?"

One might have glibly said, "Turn the key," but Pryor told the caller that loosening the wires to the distributor would certainly do the trick.

It wasn't until the episode aired did Pryor and Schorr put it together, and realized they had contributed to the seminal episode of the series this year.

Jaguar still hasn't spent any ad money on Mad Men, but on August 17 the company will co-host a party at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance with Playboy Magazine at which Mad Men star Christina Hendricks will be the special guest.

Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdavid pryordon draperjaguarmad menstuart schorrFri, 17 Aug 2012 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[AOL Autos Mini Countryman winner picks up prize, what else should we give away?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/01/aol-autos-mini-countryman-winner-picks-up-prize-what-else-shoul/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/01/aol-autos-mini-countryman-winner-picks-up-prize-what-else-shoul/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/01/aol-autos-mini-countryman-winner-picks-up-prize-what-else-shoul/#commentsFiled under: ,



Remember when we announced that our sister site, AOL Autos, was giving away a Mini Countryman? That was the beginning of AOL Autos Giveaway, a new program in which the site will give away cars and auto accessories to its Facebook fans. At the same time, we at Autoblog ran our own series of sweepstakes and gave away fun stuff like a LEGO set and R/C car, and more useful swag like a battery charger and garage wall organizing system.

We're going to make these giveaways a regular thing for both sites. More cars. More stuff. We're gathering up radar detectors, GPS devices, bike racks, cargo carriers, etc., so stay tuned for more stuff, and keep liking AOL Autos and Autoblog on Facebook, because that's all we ask in return for entering the sweepstakes.

In the comment section below, let us know what stuff (including cars) you would most like to be in the running to receive. We are taking these suggestions seriously.

We know what you are thinking? Ugh....nobody ever wins that stuff. Wrong. And to prove it, check out this post from AOL Autos that retraces the program and includes some of what we thought about our long-term Mini Countryman, as well as who won the car we gave away. Hint: The winner could be doing your knee replacement in about seven or eight years.

AOL Autos Mini Countryman winner picks up prize, what else should we give away? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aol autoscountrymangiveawayminiprizesweepstakesWed, 01 Aug 2012 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Former GM marketing chief LaNeve turns up at Ford ad agency [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/former-gm-marketing-chief-laneve-turns-up-at-ford-ad-agency-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/former-gm-marketing-chief-laneve-turns-up-at-ford-ad-agency-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/former-gm-marketing-chief-laneve-turns-up-at-ford-ad-agency-w-v/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marketing executive Mark LaNeve

No, not Joel Ewanick. Mark LaNeve, who formerly ran General Motors' Cadillac division, and then went on to head sales and marketing, has turned up as chief operating officer of Team Detroit, Ford's global ad agency based in Dearborn.

LaNeve, 53, left GM in late 2009 in the wake of the automaker's bankruptcy, and went to Northbrook, Illinois insurance giant Allstate. LaNeve left the insurer in February, returning to the Detroit area where he maintains his home.

LaNeve, with a well-known outsized personality and the style of a football coach, was responsible at Cadillac for a marketing revolution that is remembered for, among other things, phasing out the old country club imagery of the brand and ushering in rock music, such as that of Led Zeppelin in a campaign themed, "Break Through." (Scroll down to watch the ad).

At Team Detroit, LaNeve will be the number-two executive behind Satish Korde. As COO, he will have a lot to do with talent recruitment, but also weigh in on key Ford strategy issues. As former chief of Cadillac (he also had a stint running marketing for Volvo in North America), he will undoubtedly be called on for his thoughts on turning around Ford's Lincoln division.

While at Allstate, Laneve directed the "Mayhem" campaign, which has resulted in the big insurer effectively fighting back against Progressive Insurance's "Flo."

LaNeve resurfacing in Detroit the same week that GM ousted his successor, Joel Ewanick, which goes to show how temporary chief marketing officer jobs can be - especially in the auto industry.

Continue reading Former GM marketing chief LaNeve turns up at Ford ad agency [w/video]

Former GM marketing chief LaNeve turns up at Ford ad agency [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingallstatefordlincolnmark lanevemarketingteam detroitTue, 31 Jul 2012 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Why GM's chief marketer was shown the door]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/why-gms-chief-marketer-was-shown-the-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/why-gms-chief-marketer-was-shown-the-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/why-gms-chief-marketer-was-shown-the-door/#commentsFiled under: ,



With General Motors Global Marketing Chief Joel Ewanick shown the door on Sunday, a culture of constant change continues to grip GM's marketing function, leaving some to wonder if the automaker will ever match a compelling message to the vastly improved product hitting dealerships.

Ewanick and GM top brass have clashed in recent months over some of the marketing chief's moves and style, even as the company empowered the former Hyundai marketing chief to overhaul the Detroit automaker's creative and media-buying relationships, putting new shops in charge of handling GM's vast $3 billion media budget.

"It has been a privilege and honor to work with the GM team and to be a small part of Detroit's turnaround. I wish everyone at GM all the best."
- Joel Ewanick

Ewanick's departure was not friendly, say GM insiders. "I can tell you that he failed to meet the expectations the company has for its employees," said GM spokesman Greg Martin. That is a highly unusual comment from a corporate spokesman.

GM sources are saying Monday that a key to Ewanick's downfall was the way he handled recent big-money sponsorship deals with British soccer clubs Manchester United and Liverpool Football Club on behalf of Chevrolet. The deals, according to insiders, were not properly vetted inside GM's processes. The term "serious breaches" are being thrown around GM today.

Ewanick Tweeted a short comment on Sunday: "It has been a privilege and honor to work with the GM team and to be a small part of Detroit's turnaround. I wish everyone at GM all the best."

"It's odd the way this whole things has gone," said one GM insider who asked not to be identified. "They let the guy completely overhaul the structure of the place, and then show him the door?" The same executive speculated, "So, now someone else will come in and probably want to do things his or her way, and then we will have more change and upheaval instead of doing what we need to do, which is hunker down and build these brands up in a coherent way so we can get off the tax-payer's back." The executive was referring to the the 26% government ownership of GM following the 2009 rescue of the company.

Continue reading Why GM's chief marketer was shown the door

Why GM's chief marketer was shown the door originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dismissedfeaturedfiredgeneral motorsgmjoel ewanickresignedMon, 30 Jul 2012 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: BMW to introduce "On Demand" service in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/20/bmw-to-introduce-on-demand-service-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/20/bmw-to-introduce-on-demand-service-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/20/bmw-to-introduce-on-demand-service-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



BMW Financial Services next month is kicking off BMW On Demand USA - a service the company already provides in European cities - that enables people to easily rent a BMW by the hour, day or week from dealerships.

The first location, BMW of Manhattan, is considered a pilot, and will have about 100 328i sedans in the fleet. According to Ed Robinson, president of BMW Financial, the makeup of the fleet will change over time. But the all-328i lineup to start reflects the newest product from BMW and the one the company wants to push right now.

Other logical cities to follow will be Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Miami. But the service could easily spread to smaller cities with smaller fleets.

Pricing for checking a 328i out like a library book will be announced in August. The website to go to is www.bmwondemandusa.com.

The business model for the program has multiple layers. It gives dealers in urban centers a fleet of cars from which to provide extended test drives. It also gives luxury car owners a readily available pool of premium cars to rent that you can't get from Hertz or Avis. And it is part of a longer-term trend BMW sees of an increasing number of urban dwellers not wanting to own cars at all. "We have seen the research that shows as cities become more dense, the desire for car ownership goes down, but the desire to drive cars to get out of town stays constant," says Robinson.

In time, the On Demand fleet will be expanded to include other BMWs like the new 7 Series coming later this year, X5 and X3, and possibly specialty vehicles like the M3 and M5. Robinson said that with specialty vehicles, though, drivers would probably go through an extra layer of qualification.

"BMW On Demand USA goes beyond any existing premium-rental or car-sharing programs in this market," said Robinson. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, nor Audi have any similar service that is scaled like this. "This is a great opportunity for anyone who is considering buying a BMW or someone who wants a luxury car, premium service and ultimate driving experience for that special occasion, weekend getaway, business trip to experience being part of the BMW family."

BMW to introduce "On Demand" service in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 series328ibmwbmw of manhattanbmw on demand usaon demand usaFri, 20 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Volkswagen finally, really, taking over Porsche]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/volkswagen-finally-really-taking-over-porsche/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/volkswagen-finally-really-taking-over-porsche/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/volkswagen-finally-really-taking-over-porsche/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen, Porsche logos

After several snags, fits, stops and starts, and even a temporary fear by executives the deal might not get done, German automaker Volkswagen is all set to close the deal to acquire Porsche.

On one hand, the deal may sound incongruous to the average consumer and car buyer. VW, which literally translates to "the people's car," buying one of the most prestigious and exclusive brands in the world. But, in reality, the managements and ownership of the two companies have been entwined for decades since the end of World War Two.

Perhaps one of the most ironic twists in the deal that will finally bring Porsche under the Volkswagen AG umbrella, is that it comes after the much smaller Porsche had tried in 2008 and 2009 to acquire the much larger Volkswagen. Porsche's former CEO, Wendelin Wiedeking, considered almost the Lee Iacocca of the European auto industry, tried to engineer the deal through a complex and shady web of financial maneuvers and investments that came completely unglued and almost bankrupted Porsche.

The failure of the deal completely ruined what had been an 18-year, storied career for Wiedeking.

Indeed, after Porsche attempted the hostile takeover of VW, it was Volkswagen that came to Porsche's rescue. The deal has been delayed while the companies and the lawyers have been trying to sort out who will be on the hook for a number of shareholder lawsuits should they get decided in the favor of the plaintiffs.

The deal that is being solidified today, which will result in VW's full ownership of Porsche on August 1, was actually begun in 2009.

Continue reading Volkswagen finally, really, taking over Porsche

Volkswagen finally, really, taking over Porsche originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>porschevolkswagenvolkswagen porsche mergervwThu, 05 Jul 2012 17:16:00 EST<![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