Autoblog

Ford trademarks "Black Label" for Lincoln

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:25:00 EST

Bentley has offered Black Label cars (as well as Red and Green Label), Mercedes-Benz has Black Series, Audi and Porsche have Black Editions. Seeking a pass into the true luxury club, could Lincoln soon have a line of Black Label cars to call its own?

Parent company Ford trademarked the phrase "Lincoln Black Label" last month, and not only do we not have any clue what it might signify, the company might never apply the name to anything. It's an interesting way to go, though; Black Label is a hugely popular appellation for everything from soap to fashion to something called a "pore penetrator," and it's almost always meant to signify an appreciable notch above the norm. The question is, what kind of Lincoln could wear that badge and not be accused of being a cynical marketing exercise? Even on a Ford forum one poster wrote, "While I think that would be an awesome use of Black label unfortunately Lincoln doesn't have any vehicles nor the platform to back that up."

It would also be a departure from how Lincoln has signified its special lines until recently. Designer cars that began in the seventies, like the Cartier Town Car and Emilio Pucci Mark IV, gave way to the generic Designer trim level and then Signature Limited (itself a step above the Signature L) that was last used on the 2011 Lincoln Town Car. The present offerings are only differentiated by engines, lacking an equivalent of Ford's Titanium branding - on the MKS even the options packages are called "Equipment Group 20XA" - and this could be how Black Label finds a home. But tell us, what kind of Lincoln would deserve it?

Ford trademarks "Black Label" for Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoextremist offers up unvarnished Brand Image Meter

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Humor

"Hot. Cold. Neutral. Pathetic." Those are the four brand descriptors professional Detroit auto industry provocateur Peter De Lorenzo applies to 40 major automotive brands in his latest Autoextremist rant.

If you've been reading De Lorenzo's stuff for any length of time, you've probably heard all this before, many, many times. But the column still has its share of nuggets, like, "Alfa Romeo: The brand that for the most part exists as a figment of Sergio Marchionne's considerable imagination," and "There's absolutely no reason in the world for this vehicle to exist other than to assuage Henrik Fisker's considerable ego."

De Lorenzo's ire isn't reserved just for executives, as he ridicules Ferrari for being "frickin' greedy," calls Lexus the "Eddie Haskell of the luxury auto space" for its vanilla approach, ridicules Mazda for its "nonsensical and flat-out dumb" Skyactiv branding campaign, and tags Volvo as "the brand for people who question why the even bother to own a car anymore."

While the column doesn't actually rank all the brands, it does quite predictably say that Porsche and BMW sit at the top of the heap, with Jeep and every other successful luxury marque making up the second tier. At the bottom of the pile? Well, that's a crowded place in the mind of the Autoextremist, but that crowning achievement of failure can only be awarded to Smart. Indeed, De Lorenzo forgot to even include that brand on his list.

Autoextremist offers up unvarnished Brand Image Meter originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes prepares to overhaul its confusing naming structure

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

When it comes to German luxury vehicles, it's always the same old story: BMW and Mercedes-Benz duking it out for first place, with Audi gaining ground while locking down third. So why should it be any different when it comes to naming conventions? BMW has clearly taken the lead for which car brand can have the most confusing and illogical alphanumeric badging, and thus, Mercedes is readying a new naming regimen of its own.

According to a report in Automobile, Benz will be completely overhauling the familiar "-Class" designations to make them more logical. To Germans. Who are engineers. How will this shake out? We've read the article three times and can't make much sense of it, but Automobile indicates that we should expect SUV's and crossovers to continue using the G prefix, while coupes and convertibles will use the C prefix, and the SL prefix will be reserved for sports cars. After that, well, we give up.

Supposedly a third letter of the name will designate the model range, meaning that the front-drive, four-door coupe based on the A- and B-Class architecture won't be called CLC, but will instead go by CLA. And the forthcoming GLC crossover will be unveiled as the GLA. The GLK will probably get renamed GLC, according to the magazine, and now we've entered the rabbit hole, because as Automobile writes:

But what of the rumored A-Class based coupe and cabriolet models? CLA comes to mind, but this name is already spoken for. Would it make more sense if the CLC-turned-CLA is renamed once again to become the CLB, since its MFA platform is also shared with the B-Class? If so, Benz has to move quickly, as the concept car that previews the CLC/CLA/CLB is supposed to make its official debut in a few weeks at the 2012 Beijing motor show.

Then there's the problem with the CLS-Class. It won't be receiving a new name, according to the report, which means the forthcoming two-door version of the S-Class can't be called CLS. And the G-Class won't get any of the extra letters, retaining its single-letter name.

So there you have it. If Automobile is correct, Mercedes' new naming scheme will take something that was confusing and illogical and make sure it's still confusing and illogical, but unfamiliar as well.

Mercedes prepares to overhaul its confusing naming structure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones

Jeff Sabatini — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Technology, Toys/Games

Ferrari isn't shy about slapping its logo on just about anything it thinks it can sell to fans that will never be able to afford one of its cars. We've seen phones (plenty of them), computers, a home gym... and now, headphones and iPod speaker docks.

This new deal with Logic3 features six different lines of headphones and earphones and two distinct speaker docks. Logic3 has divided its offerings into two lines: the Cavallino Collection, which is influenced by the Ferrari road cars, and the Scuderia Collection, which is inspired by Ferrari's F1 racing team.

As is common with these licensing deals, Logic3 promises that it has worked closely with Ferrari to ensure "the marque's characteristic style, design and personality are captured within every product."

Perhaps more of a concern here is how closely Ferrari has worked with Logic3 to insure that these new audio products are of a high quality. We'll note that Logic3 is not Grado Labs, and its reputation among the audiophile community is virtually nonexistent - a search of Stereophile's website, for instance, didn't turn up a single mention of the brand.

To read the full press release, click past the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones

Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Land Rover says Range Rover branding is "in flux right now"

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Range Rover Evoque will be priced somewhere around $45,000. That would be about $8,500 more expensive than a Land Rover LR2 and about $3,500 less expensive than an LR4. But the Evoque's full name is technically the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and it wears a Land Rover badge on its rear valance - whereas brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan don't put their badges on their respective luxury lines. With this initial overlap in price, and Range Rover possibly going even lower with a sub-Evoque Mini rival, we asked Land Rover if it was working to get any more separation with its Range Rover brand.

"Dealers will add Range Rover branding to their towers," said Skip Pavlik, Land Rover product manager, referring to the signage outside dealerships that will indicate three brands now - Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover, instead of just Jaguar and Land Rover. Pavlick also said that "the issue is in flux right now."

"Land Rover is more utilitarian, Range Rover is the top end of luxury," said Wayne Kung, Jaguar-Land Rover's manager of national product communications. "You don't lose any capability with the Range Rover, but the Evoque especially is about unabashed on-road and urban driving."

It was Pavlik who pointed out that "the Evoque started off as a Land Rover concept, the LRX, and it still has a Land Rover badge." When we asked if that badge would be there in three years, neither Pavlik nor Kung could say. The price issue, however - Range Rovers that are inexpensive, by comparison, to Land Rovers - isn't seen as posing any problems for the Land Rover line. "Price is secondary," said Pavlik. Added Kung, "They're different customers."

Gallery: Paris 2010: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover says Range Rover branding is "in flux right now" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari opens its first Pit Stop store in a volcano

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ferrari

Grand Opening of the Ferrari Pit Store store at Vulcano Buono - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another day, another Ferrari Store opening somewhere in the world. Right? Maybe so - the company has proven particularly adept at capitalizing on its brand identity with a staggering array of merchandise and the retail locations at which to peddle them. But this one is a little different, and we'll tell you why.

First is the nature of the store itself. Called the Pit Stop, it eschews the leather briefcases and fancy pens with the prancing horse logos and sticks with the motorsport paraphernalia. In other words, this store is for racing fans, less so for car owners, be they wannabe or actual. Besides the inventory though, it also features a different design from the store you might have seen in an airport terminal while traveling overseas.

Instead of lacquered red eveything, the Pit Stop store is designed to emulate the pit lane garages the team uses at grands prix, complete with perforated plates covering the wall and furniture styled after those industrial-strength travel cases the teams use to transport their equipment from race to race. There's also a replica pit wall where visitors can try their hand at the Ferrari Virtual Academy race simulator and other attractions in the 900-square-meter retail space.

The second reason this store is different is its location. Ferrari chose to launch the first of this new kind of retail space at Vulcano Buono in Nola. The innovative commercial complex sits at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius and imitates its form in a 40-meter tall structure covering 500,000 square meters, insulated by acres of sloping vegetation fields in a unique green initiative. A telling location to launch a new concept store, and Ferrari has many more planned for the future. Details in the press release after the jump, along with photos from the store's opening in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari Pit Stop at Vulcano Buono

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari opens its first Pit Stop store in a volcano

Ferrari opens its first Pit Stop store in a volcano originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia axes plan for EcoDynamics branding in U.S.

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Kia, Diesel

Kia Forte EcoDynamics LPI Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Kia Motors unveiled its EcoDynamics sub-brand at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the company claimed its new badge would begin to appear on U.S.-bound models soon. In fact, Kia promised that its eco-friendly moniker would be attached to several models sold worldwide. Now, Orth Hedrick, director-product planning at Kia Motors America, tells Ward's Auto that the company has nixed plans to introduce the EcoDynamics name in the U.S. Hedrick cited cost issues as the primary reason for the company's reversal, stating:

The issue is it's yet another brand. And given the fact we're trying to allocate our resources to other areas that make the most sense, does it make sense to introduce another brand out there?

The U.S. automotive market, in its still-depressed state, simply cannot support additional brands. The Detroit Three have pared down by axing Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and Mercury, so Kia's move to drop EcoDynamics fits the trend. Jim Hume of Phire Branding Co. says Kia's decision makes sense. Hume told Ward's:

My guess is that they realized the concept of EcoDynamics created not only another brand, but also created the need to educate consumers - an expensive proposition. In this particular case the delineation is tricky. Kia setting apart Earth-friendly vehicles via a sub-brand may have taken away from any Earth-friendly story in Kia-branded vehicles. It is better to highlight everything Kia is doing under one strong brand umbrella.

Though the EcoDynamics badge will not adorn Kia's U.S.-bound models, the fuel-saving innovations and other elements that were to be featured under the new sub-brand are already appearing on some Kia models headed to dealerships across the nation.

Gallery: Kia Forte LPI Hybrid

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Kia axes plan for EcoDynamics branding in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Kia may lose names, use numbers for future models

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Kia

Would a Kia Forte by any other name smell as sweet, if the name were K3 and those judging the smell were American buyers? That's the question Kia executive are mulling as they decide whether to switch to alphanumeric model designations in the U.S. Some of the company's cars that go by names in other markets wear letter-number identifiers in South Korea, such as the Optima, known in South Korea as the K5. Others, such as the Soul and Sportage, retain their proper names in South Korea.

According to Automotive News, Kia's vice chairman, Chung Eui-sun, believes that alphanumeric names can strengthen a brand as long as buyers don't get confused, but he also notes that Americans may prefer proper names. Kia would probably do well to study Acura's long road from "Legend" and "Integra" to its current system, and Infiniti's period of trial-and-error with its alphanumeric concoctions.

From where we sit, we think that Kia should think long and hard about the equity continuing to build in solid offerings like its Soul and new Sorento, and if they're going to go alphanumeric, they ought to do it sooner rather than later to avoid adding to the confusion. If it were us, we'd leave well enough alone - the automotive landscape is rapidly devolving into an alphanumeric soup and we're not in favor of another automaker reaching into the Scrabble tilebag. How about you? Have your say in 'Comments.'

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

Report: Kia may lose names, use numbers for future models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Chrysler dealers unhappy over new ads, want regional marketing spending restored [w/VIDEO]

Dan Roth — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

New Jeep spot - click above to view commercial

Spend any time in the advertising business, and you'll see this kind of struggle. So called "high-concept" advertising is what tends to be what consumers emotionally engage with and remember. Usually, only big brands with a national presence and lots of money can pull off advertising that is more about the spot than the product it's hawking. Running with the big boys requires vision on the part of decision makers. While big companies have marketing specialists with high falutin' degrees and summat, the retailers that close sales and take the money from your hand focus much more on product.

According to Bloomberg, Chrysler and its dealer body are playing out this very struggle. Dealers are unhappy with the company's new advertising efforts and budget changes that have been made as part of the recently enacted five year business plan. Facing sales that were down twenty five percent in November, dealers have asked that the new ads focusing on lifestyle and brand-building, such as the latest Jeep spots, be stopped. Advertising that shows vehicles and their features, along with a harder sell on the price and incentive front would be preferable to the dealers.

Cash on the hood is down, however, and Chrysler has some vehicles that are challenging to sell. Regional advertising budgets have been readjusted, as well, siphoning off funds from some higher-volume dealers to regions without enough volume to get any help in the fourth quarter otherwise. The plan in Auburn Hills is to aggressively rebuild its brands over the next five years, which is an image-building operation where the new campaign makes sense. In the meantime, however, the company needs to sell cars to stay solvent until its touchy-feely advertising takes root; an effort that may be better served by the product-centric advertising the dealers want. While everyone loves clever advertisements, sometimes it's just best to scream about the deals on Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!

Hit the jump to see an example of the new commercials.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Continue reading REPORT: Chrysler dealers unhappy over new ads, want regional marketing spending restored [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Chrysler dealers unhappy over new ads, want regional marketing spending restored [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Cadillac quietly unveils new, old-look logo

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac, GM

As with its model line, Cadillac has performed surgery on its logo. The previous logo, at right, was a sleek bit of matte color and metal unveiled in 1999 as a result of Cadillac wanting a new icon to represent its "art & science" campaign. The aim was "to combine suggestions of high technology and elegance through faceted shapes-inspired by the stealth fighter and by gemstones." Sure.

The new logo cranks up the texture effect on the wreath, adds texture inside the crest, and plays up the embossing and light effects of the crest edge. It's new, but it's got a shiny bit of retro about it that we don't mind.

Cadillac doesn't appear to have said anything about it, and while it appears on the 60-day Guarantee site we can't tell if it's made it onto Caddy's official plot of the interwebs. The real test, though, will be how it looks when it makes it onto the cars. Thanks for the tip, Scott!

[Source: Under Consideration]

Continue reading REPORT: Cadillac quietly unveils new, old-look logo

REPORT: Cadillac quietly unveils new, old-look logo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: The Blake Project offers $100k worth of free brand consultancy to GM

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:29:00 EST

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

General Motors is probably swimming in ideas and getting another thousand offers every day on how to turn the company around - there are fifteen pages of responses on the Tell Fritz site alone, and those are just the questions the GM CEO has answered. Add the company's recent advertising issues to that, and the internal suggestion box is most likely brimming as well.

Enter The Blake Project, a brand consultancy firm that is offering GM $100,000 worth of time for free. That won't include economy travel expenses, but will include a day with the firm's three-man team of Jack Trout, Brad VanAudken, and Mark Ritson, to "share insights, ideas and expertise."

What might those insights and ideas be? Some of them were looked at in a piece called "New Brand Strategies for GM." The first task given is to define the brands, e.g., Chevrolet should stand for something like "Good value, variety and heritage," instead of "big, small, expensive, cheap, truck, van or sports car." Buick should "stop making cheap Buicks," and Cadillac "can never be a prestige car. The fancy imports dominate that category." Is that glimpse worth setting aside a day of GM's time? If anyone at the General thinks so, click the link below...

[Source: Branding Strategy Insider]

REPORT: The Blake Project offers $100k worth of free brand consultancy to GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Saab, USA snag 500,000 players with Burn Notice online game

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Saab, Lifestyle

GM has been heavy in the entertainment sponsorship game, with a variety of scripted programs, award shows, and movies at some point being tied to GM product. Bumblebee has undoubtedly paid dividends for the new Camaro, and now the spy drama "Burn Notice," on USA Network, has done something of the same for Saab.

An online game called "Covert Ops" was created that mirrored the show's plot line, featuring the main character, Michael Westen, driving around Miami in a Saab 9-3 droptop. Over the course of eight weeks, the game got more and more popular, with a final tally of 50,000 registered users and 500,000 unique visitors having tooled around in the virtual car by the time it was all was said done.

With those kinds of numbers, that means Saab was exposed to nearly 25 times the number of people who actually bought Saabs all of last year. GM hasn't said whether it will continue Saab promotion on the show, but for the moment you can still get your game on.

[Source: Ad Age]

REPORT: Saab, USA snag 500,000 players with Burn Notice online game originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas markets

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Fiat, Tata

Click above to view more images of the Tata Nano

Fiat and Tata already have a joint venture to distribute commercial vehicles. If they can do the big stuff, why not the little stuff? Tata and Fiat are looking at an agreement to sell the Tata Nano outside of India in markets where Fiat has a strong presence.

If the deal goes through, and once the car is upgraded to meet Western standards, Tata can take advantage of the Fiat name, marketing, and dealer network. Fiat would probably have a big seller on its hands -- and a slice of every one -- since the car is still expected to maintain a healthy price advantage even after it gets beefed up.

The Tata, however, is not expected to come to the U.S. as a Fiat. Ratan Tata said, ""We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence." Frankly, America isn't one of those places yet. With Tata making such a big splash over here with Jaguar, they probably wouldn't need Fiat to help the brand. Still, the thought of a Fiat 500 and a Nano snuggling in the corner of a dealership would be too cute to miss. Thanks for the tip, Yash!

Gallery: Tata Nano

[Source: Economic Times via The Earth Times]

Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas markets originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hyundai pushing dealers upmarket abroad

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Lifestyle

Hyundai is shaking its money makers, spending €60 million to upgrade its dealer network in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Each of 2,500 dealers will spend at least €24,000 on improving their facilities, with matching funds coming from both distributors and the parent company.

The plan is called Mission Q, and it has several objectives: upgrade the dealer experience, increase customer loyalty, and move the brand away from being considered solely for value or low cost. Hyundai wants "people to think of Hyundai as a market leader in quality, SUVs, family cars and because of our sports sponsorships, and then later come to the price discussion."

In addition to the new furniture and paint, Hyundai has created a brand academy at its European headquarters to train distributors and dealer staff. As it moves up the brand ladder, cars from China and India will be arriving to take Hyundai's place in price-first considerations. And that means that Honda, Nissan, and Toyota should probably start getting ready for another guest at the table.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Hyundai pushing dealers upmarket abroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kelley Blue Book hands out 2008 Brand Image Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Lifestyle

Automakers work very hard at the branding process, which takes years and years of effort to achieve. For instance, when a consumer hears Porsche, he or she likely sthink of sports cars and iconic design principles -- despite the fact that the German brand sells plenty of SUVs, too. And when a brand starts to get a negative image, it can take years to overcome that bad stigma -- just ask Ford. So, with all of this in mind, Kelley Blue Book has announced the winners of its 2008 Brand Image Awards, which are based on consumer perception studies of which KBB keeps track.

The big winners this year are Toyota for "Best Overall Interior Design", BMW for "Best Overall Exterior Design" and Mercedes-Benz for "Best Overall Prestige Brand". We would have expected Audi to do well in the interior design category, but these awards are not based on reality, but perception instead. For a complete run-down of the awards, we've included the press release after the break.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Continue reading Kelley Blue Book hands out 2008 Brand Image Awards

Kelley Blue Book hands out 2008 Brand Image Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford committed to Mercury brand, not to new Mercury products

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:37:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Not long ago here on Autoblog we wondered, what exactly is the point of the Mercury brand? As it turns out, dealers have nearly the same question, and they aren't getting any clear, compelling answers. At the Chicago Auto Show, Ford's Group Vice President Jim Farley said "Its role is changing, but we're not going to compromise Mercury." Around the Detroit Auto Show, CEO Alan Mulally said Ford remains committed to Mercury. Of course, Mulally also said Jaguar was part of The Way Forward -- no one knew that he meant it was the way forward for Tata.

There is only one problem with Ford's statements of support: there's no new product in the Mercury pipeline (the upcoming hybrid Milan doesn't count as a new piece of original product), and no one at Ford is giving any indication of when there will be. A huge amount of elbow grease is being expended to polish the Ford brand, and after that, Lincoln is taking up all the space on a second stage. It's clear that Ford would rather sell Lincolns than Mercurys. Last year, Mercury sales dropped almost 7 percent, while Lincoln sales rose more than 9 percent. Still, Lincoln sold 37,000 fewer cars than Mercury.

But all of this, understandably, has dealers wondering what's really going to happen with Mercury. People who buy Mercurys want Mercurys, with its "independent-minded" image and greater percentage of female buyers "very loyal to the brand." Ford can't afford to shed Mercury sales while it works to shepherd Lincoln to the top of the heap. Yet until Ford reveals what it's going to do with the house of the Grand Marquis -- indeed, that it's going to do anything at all -- then one can only assume that brand interest will suffer... and with it, sales.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Ford committed to Mercury brand, not to new Mercury products originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ron Paul racing for NASCAR vote?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle

The stupendous amounts of money being spent on the presidential race have got supporters of non-front-running candidates coming up with novel ways to keep up the fight. Aficionados of Republican candidate Ron Paul have created Ron Paul Racing, a web site gathering pledges to brand a NASCAR car during this year's Daytona 500.

This line says it all: "RonPaulRacing.com will reach millions of new supporters as the RON PAUL car shoots down the front straight at 200 MPH screaming 'FREEDOM.'" The site isn't accepting donations now, merely pledges for donations. As of this writing they've collected more than $10,000, but they're looking for more, "all the way to the millions."

The site is apparently in talks with teams about branding. The '08 car belongs to Aric Almirola, but we imagine that's simply a placeholder and they don't really plan on working with the guy who ended last season with an average finishing spot of 34.5. That wouldn't send the right message, would it? If you're so inclined, head over to Ron Paul Racing and let them know you're a fan of freedom. Oh, and the site's musical accompaniment is Sammy Hagar's "I Can't Drive 55." If nothing else, we support that (where legal, of course). Thanks for the tip, scanner scott!

[Source: Ron Paul Racing]

Ron Paul racing for NASCAR vote? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Size matters when it comes to pickup logos

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle

Some crowds are worried about speed, some about interior volume, some about the number of cupholders. The pickup truck crowd has a tendency to be concerned with size, so the automakers give them what they want. And in this case, it's bigger and bigger logos. Kicking Tires took the real estate measurements of the logos on half-ton pickups at the Detroit Auto Show (and a Hummer, just for good... measure), and ranked them from smallest to the most grandiose. The logo on the new Dodge Ram is 250% larger than before, and it only came in fifth. Click the link to find out who's got the biggest, and let the bragging begin.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Size matters when it comes to pickup logos originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sticking to its consonants: Lincoln to continue alphabet soup

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Lifestyle

When the new Lincoln MKS arrives next summer, it will join the MKZ and MKX. And then those three will be joined by another MK-something, perhaps a large Lincoln crossover based on the Ford Flex, to arrive in 2009. More than once we have written MKZ when we were referring to the MKS. More than one Ford rep said MK-Consonant when he meant the other MK-Consonant. More than once we have tried to figure out why Lincoln came up with -- and continues -- this type of nomenclature.

But it isn't going to stop, so we've just got to mind our letters. Mulally, he who brought back "Taurus," opined that "consistency of purpose is important." And Lincoln says this kind of naming system is what other premium automakers do. The difference is, usually those numbers actually mean something. All right, so 'Mark X' could mean crossover -- but then what's the larger crossover going to be called? Mark XL? And what is a 'Mark Z?' And why isn't that beastly truck a MKLT, instead of Mark LT? And does this mean you could order an ATMKSAWDPDQ?

The new names have only been in use for two years, so perhaps they simply need a bit more time to take hold. But we remember the last time Ford tried this kind of alpha/numeric thing State-side, and we're still trying to figure out the riddle of 'Merkur XR4Ti'...

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Sticking to its consonants: Lincoln to continue alphabet soup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari and Acer team up on PDA

Dan Roth — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:07:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ferrari

A Ferrari PDA. Joy of joys. People still use these things? If you must have one more thing strapped to your belt or stuffed in your pocket, might as well get the one with the Prancing Horse. That way, when everyone else pulls out their toys and starts twiddling as a way to avoid human interaction, you'll have something red, black and flashy.

The Acer 500 is the fruition of an ongoing relationship between the computer maker and the Italian exotic car firm. Launching soon in Europe, the PDA will be equipped with Bluetooth, GPS and an SD card reader. Of less note are the USB 1.1 port and behind-the-curve OS, Windows Mobile 5. We doubt there's been any cranking up of bus speeds inside the unit, but at least this one won't be as costly to fix when you crack it up.

[Source: Caradisiac]

Ferrari and Acer team up on PDA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments