Autoblog

NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toyota, Celebrities, Humor

Steve Nash: Phoenix Suns point guard, seven-time NBA All-Star, two-time MVP award winner and true competitor. Just how competitive is Mr. Nash? The man thinks of everything in life as something you can win. Case in point, Nash will push his Toyota Prius to beat an old lady into a parking spot if it means he can chalk up another "victory."

How does he celebrate the win? By shoving it in Grandma's face. Rejected! Click past the jump for the clip.

Continue reading NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance

NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blake Griffin to auction dunked-over Kia Optima on AutoTrader.com [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Auctions, Videos, Kia, Celebrities

Blake Griffin goes airborne over a 2011 Kia Optima - Click above to watch video after the jump

Mixed opinions arise when discussing Blake Griffin's over-car dunk at the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Regardless, it got people talking and the 2011 Kia Optima played a major role in the jam. Kia turned Griffin's hop into a commercial, and now Griffin is again using that same Optima for another good move; one that will benefit cancer research organization Stand Up to Cancer.

With the help of AutoTrader.com, Blake Griffin will auction off the car that helped him win the 2011 Dunk Contest title. Signed by the recently named Rookie of the Year, this Optima has been seen by millions of people courtesy of YouTube (and you can join that group by clicking past the jump and watching the dunk for yourself).

All proceeds will go to Stand Up for Cancer, which is a charity close to Griffin's heart. His friend, and former high school basketball teammate, Wilson Holloway recently lost a three-year battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. AutoTrader.com, which typically does not auction vehicles, has stated that it's eager to help raise as much money as possible for such a worthy charity. The auction will run through May 15th, and can be viewed at a special Blake Griffin-specific page on AutoTrader.com.

Click past the jump to get a refresher on Griffin's sedan-soaring slam, then be sure to read through the press release for more information. It's also worth mentioning that donations can be made to Stand Up to Cancer here.

Continue reading Blake Griffin to auction dunked-over Kia Optima on AutoTrader.com [w/video]

Blake Griffin to auction dunked-over Kia Optima on AutoTrader.com [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Kobe Bryant uses Smart Fortwo Brabus to catch art thief

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, China, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Smart, Celebrities

Kobe Bryant saves the day in Smart Fortwo Brabus - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Smart brand, looking for a sales lift in China, has enlisted the lanky likes of Kobe Bryant for its "Big, In The City" ad campaign. A newly released video has the internationally known NBA star assuming the role of a quick thinking/driving man of both style and action with a keen sense of aim.

With the aid of a shiny black Smart Fortwo Brabus that he - or perhaps a stunt double - throws around corners and through traffic, Kobe comes to the aid of a damsel in distress with flair as he chases down an art thief and utilizes his on-court abilities to administer a chase-ending coup de grâce.

The campaign will reportedly undertake a 25-city Chinese road trip, the highlight of which is an appearance by the Los Angeles Lakers star at a Smart customer party in July. Hit the jump for some Smart Brabus and Bryant action.

[Source: Advertising @ Chinasmack]

Continue reading Video: Kobe Bryant uses Smart Fortwo Brabus to catch art thief

Video: Kobe Bryant uses Smart Fortwo Brabus to catch art thief originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia says NBA partnership helping awareness more than expected

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Kia

Blake Griffin posterizes the 2011 Kia Optima - Click above to watch video after the jump

Kia has become an active presence in both the National Basketball Association and Grand-Am Challenge racing series. Participation in both requires a fair amount of investment for the automaker, but so far, Kia says this marketing gamble is paying off handsomely.

In 2010, Kia sold 356,268 vehicles to U.S. consumers. That's a record for the automaker, and it tops efforts by more established brands Mazda, Volkswagen and Subaru. Kia is optimistic that 2011 could be even better thanks to the increased brand exposure coming as a result of its NBA tie-ins.

Viewership of this NBA season is up, which means Kia's messaging is reaching a greater number of fans. That messaging got a massive surge during All-Star Weekend when Los Angeles Clippers forward used a 2011 Optima as a prop in the slam-dunk contest. Millions of people watched Blake Griffin soar over the hood of the strategically placed sedan, and many continue to view clips of the dunk on YouTube. (You can do the same, by clicking past the jump).

Beyond the NBA and the Optima, Kia has outfitted its Forte Koup for racing duty. Running in the Grand-Am Challenge Series, the Forte has been hitting the track for two solid years now. This year, the team was able to make it on to the podium.

It's two very different markets, but the Kia lineup is getting exposure to a very large audience. Traffic to both its website and dealerships is up, and Kia has been so buoyed by its Grand-Am involvement that it is also understood to be considering going racing with the Optima.

[Source: WardsAuto | Image: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]

Continue reading Kia says NBA partnership helping awareness more than expected

Kia says NBA partnership helping awareness more than expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Fiat, Celebrities, Humor

Fiat heir Lapo Elkann makes the Lakers' game-winning move - Click above to watch video after the jump

Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli and is said to be heir to several Fiat thrones. While courtside at the Staples Center in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors, Yahoo Sports reports that Elkann interfered in a play that gave LA the win.

With the score tied and only seconds left, the Raptors' Jose Calderon (pictured) was chasing a ball headed out of bounds when Elkann swiped it away. The Lakers were given possession and Kobe Bryant did his game-winning thing. You can see a recap of the event in the video after the jump, and for you rightfully sore Raptors fans, Elkann later apologized. Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!

[Sources: Yahoo Sports, Goal.com]

Continue reading Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?

Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron James gets free Kia for being NBA MVP, gives it away

John Neff — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:19:00 EST

Filed under: Kia, Celebrities

I'm from Cleveland and the city will stop doing whatever it's doing tonight at 8PM EST to watch the Cavs take on the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 - Round 2 of the team's 2009 NBA Playoff run. Yesterday's news that LeBron James won the league MVP award added yet another nugget of pride to an already large pile of pride nuggets assembled by our beloved Cavaliers this season. Along with a super spiffy trophy that will look great on his mantel, James was also given a brand new Borrego SUV by Kia, sponsor of the MVP award and an NBA partner.

As it turns out, NBA MVP winners always get a free car, and they always turn around and immediately give it away. Some players have endorsement deals with automakers, so the league usually asks what charity they'd like to donate their prize to beforehand. Both James and this year's Defensive Player of the Year, Orlando's Dwight Howard, don't have any auto endorsement deals, but that didn't stop them from tossing the keys to their favorite charity. Howard gave his car to the Orlando Day Nursery and James donated his Borrego to the Akron Urban League. Don't cry for The King, though. He arrived amidst a police escort to the MVP award ceremony, which he requested be held at his alma mater - St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, in his custom Ferrari with vanity plates that read "W1TNES".

[Source: Kicking Tires, ESPN]

LeBron James gets free Kia for being NBA MVP, gives it away originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 May 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia asks for the rock, buys its way into NBA

Chris Shunk — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Kia

Close your eyes for a moment and picture the typical form of transportation for an NBA baller. We're assuming that none of you envisioned a Kia, but that's exactly the association that the Korean automaker wants people to make in the future. To that end, it's paid an undisclosed amount of money to buddy up with the NBA and become its official supplier of cars. This paid honor means that Kia can run promotions at the biggest NBA events of the year like the playoffs and the draft, and in return Kia will give cars to the charity of choice for the players named MVP, defensive player of the year, most improved and best sixth man. While we likely won't see any all-stars rolling in an Optima, Kia's affiliation with the NBA is a big advertising victory, even if the "official car" title cost the company a fortune.

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

Kia asks for the rock, buys its way into NBA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron's infamous HUMMER gets makeover on SPEED

John Neff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, SUV, Hummer

click image above for high-res version

As many of you know, I hail from Cleveland, OH where only two things I know to be certain: the Browns will forever suck and LeBron James will forever be king of the smallest big city in the U.S. We weren't always sure he would become our king, however. James' mom presented him with a HUMMER H2 on his 18th birthday, which caused the Ohio High School Athletic Association to investigate the matter to ensure the SUV wasn't an inappropriately accepted gift. The turmoil surrounding the SUV almost prevented our dribbling deity from entering the NBA.

LeBron still drives that HUMMER, although it has received a makeover by Unique Autosports of Long Island for the season premier of Unique Whips on SPEED. The HUMMER got a new paint job, new grille, new wheels and a custom interior with enough gadgets and technology to make a West Coast Customs guy cry. James already received the redone H2 at his home somewhere in the "Heart of it All" Ohio, but you can watch the transformation of this infamous ride in the premiere of Unique Whips on Feb. 21st at 10PM EST on SPEED (check your local listingsv - isn't that what they always say at this part?).

Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Unique Autosports]

Continue reading LeBron's infamous HUMMER gets makeover on SPEED

LeBron's infamous HUMMER gets makeover on SPEED originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ssangyong Rexton II introduced in Madrid

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 May 2006 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

Admittedly, to North American ears, 'Ssangyong Rexton II' sounds like the sequel to some kind of science fiction monster movie. The reality is that it's the oven-fresh replacement for... wait for it... the Ssangyong Rexton, a popular if ill-styled SUV. Alberto Ballestin (aka 'Our Man in Madrid') was at the Madrid Auto Show press conference for Autoblog Spanish, and he came away with a few snapshots and impressions.

Powered in the market by a 2.7-liter Xdi diesel giving 165 horsepower and a stout 250 lb.-ft. of twist, the new Rexton was introduced with the assistance of Spanish NBA baller Pau Gasol, who will be the new 'face' of the brand in Spain. Aesthetically, one might be hard-pressed to call this Ssangyong 'attractive,' but it is a marked improvement on the original, and leagues ahead of other company offerings like the Musso and Rodius, the latter of which has been dubbed the 'Ugliest of them All' by UK publication Pistonheads.

Critically, Alberto informs that peculiar design or no, "...the quality/price is nearly unbeatable, and this has propelled the sales to a gigantic 210 percent last year (in Spain)," so this is obviously a package to be taken seriously.

Although Ssangyong didn't provide any English language press packs, interested parties are advised to click here to learn more about the Rexton II.

Ssangyong Rexton II introduced in Madrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Garmin StreetPilot geared toward North American Asians

Joel Arellano — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Trends, Technology

Garmin, the well-known maker of portable GPS systems and other devices, has announced it will start offering a version of its popular StreetPilot c330 (pictured) that will provide directions in five different Asian languages. The 'StreetPilot c330 Asian Americas', which goes on sale in May, is the first in the North American market to offer such capability. Garmin had developed it in response to census data showing that over six million Asians live in Canada and the U.S.

Languages offered include Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and Thai. Garmin will use NBA star Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets as the c330's spokesperson.

[Source: Kansas City Star]

New Garmin StreetPilot geared toward North American Asians originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA's Carmelo Anthony to go open-wheel racing with help from KISS' Gene Simmons

Chris Paukert — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

In news that just about pegged our automotive weirdness meter, USA Today reported Thursday that Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony is getting into bed with KISS singer Gene Simmons and the Indy Racing League.

Before you get any crazy ideas, we're quite sure the truth is bizarre enough: the 21-year-old NBA basketball phenomenon has become co-owner of the Hemelgarn IRL team, a deal brockered by KISS icon Simmons, who owns the marketing firm now promoting the series.

To be driven by rookie P.J. Chesson, car No. 91 has been dubbed "Car Melo." The blue-and-white Dallara is set to feature the mug of the young Nugget himself.

[Source: USA Today]

(Thanks for the tip, Tom!)

NBA's Carmelo Anthony to go open-wheel racing with help from KISS' Gene Simmons originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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