Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Fiat courting social media input to develop 2010 concept car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-fiat-courting-social-media-input-to-develop-2010-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-fiat-courting-social-media-input-to-develop-2010-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-fiat-courting-social-media-input-to-develop-2010-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nearly all new cars and trucks are developed in secret, hidden from the scrutiny of the public and the competitive eyes of the other manufacturers. Tossing all of that nonsense aside, Fiat has started a Brazilian website with the intent of designing what it says will be the world's first "consumer-generated" concept car. Visitors to the site are encouraged to make suggestions about any component -- including powerplant, materials, and the all-important infotainment center. "We're inviting Brazilian consumers to invent the concept car that Fiat will exhibit in the Salao do Automovel, Sao Paulo's auto show, in October 2010," Abel Reis, the head of agency running the program told Advertising Age.

The site is designed like any familiar social-networking site, with comments, pictures, and feeds from Twitter. Subcategories help organize the content, and readers may vote for their favorite suggestions. While the site is written in Portuguese (Brazil is Fiat's largest market outside of Italy), a simple click translates each post into five different languages, expanding the programs reach.

Since the program started the first week in August, 67,000 visitors have submitted 1,700 ideas. Next month, Fiat will release more refined information about the vehicle based on its collected input. Readers will then be encouraged to get more technical with their questions. Several months before the official unveiling, the automaker will turn the topic towards marketing and branding, thus completing the design program.

[Source: Advertising Age]

REPORT: Fiat courting social media input to develop 2010 concept car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FiatFiat MioFiatMioMediaMioPortugeseSocialSocial Mediasocial networksocial networkingSocialMediaSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingTwitterWed, 26 Aug 2009 18:38:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19142050/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/26/report-fiat-courting-social-media-input-to-develop-2010-concept/19142050/article-detail.xml 19142050 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/fiat_mio_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/fiat_mio.jpg <![CDATA[McScapegoat: Ron Dennis blames internet media for losing F1 title]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/mcscapegoat-ron-dennis-blames-internet-media-for-losing-f1-titl/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/mcscapegoat-ron-dennis-blames-internet-media-for-losing-f1-titl/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/mcscapegoat-ron-dennis-blames-internet-media-for-losing-f1-titl/#commentsFiled under:

Ah scapegoating, the last refuge of the defeated. This season McLaren got caught red-handed (pardon the pun) and lost the constructor's championship. Then its poor reliability and performance meant that neither of the team's incredibly talented pilots could lock up the driver's title, either. Rather than look inwards to find cause for his team's enormous disappointment, team principal Ron Dennis is pointing his finger. And he's pointing in our direction.

"The internet is an unregulated source of information that is a nuissance." That's what Dennis had to say. "It has added to the pressure on our team." Ron went on a bit, but that's pretty much the gist of it. Feel free to follow the link to find out how else we and our ilk screwed things up for McLaren.

(For those not yet sufficiently entertained, Autosport is reporting that McLaren mechanics made Dennis a fake trophy.)

Don't blame us, Ron. Blame Al Gore. After all, he invented the internet.

[Source: F1-live]

McScapegoat: Ron Dennis blames internet media for losing F1 title originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angryblamedennisexpire-images:2008-10-21internetmclarenmediaronMon, 22 Oct 2007 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1019123/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/22/mcscapegoat-ron-dennis-blames-internet-media-for-losing-f1-titl/1019123/article-detail.xml 1019123 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/rondennisintertubes_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/rondennisintertubes.jpg <![CDATA[VW + LG = MP3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/vw-lg-mp3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/vw-lg-mp3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/vw-lg-mp3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You might say that, in terms of broad market appeal, the iPod is the VW of personal electronics. If that's the case, then what happens when Volkswagen comes out with a digital media player of its own?

The German automaker has teamed up with LG to produce a special MP3 player designed and branded as the Beetle of personal music devices. Rather than simply slapping a Vee-Dub logo on any old contraption, LG designed a fresh product for Volkswagen. Although the shape is the same rounded-corner block as any other on the market, it has a user interface said to be inspired by the New Beetle and is offered in Volkswagen colors including Salsa Red, Shadow Blue and Sunflower Yellow. Of course, it also comes emblazoned with Volkswagen logos, but it seems the designers couldn't fit a bud vase anywhere on the unit.

[Source: Computer World via Motorpasion]

VW + LG = MP3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiobeetledigitalipodmediamp3musicnewplayervolkswagenvwTue, 24 Apr 2007 11:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/879645/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/04/24/vw-lg-mp3/879645/article-detail.xml 879645 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/mp3_volkswagen_beetle_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/mp3_volkswagen_beetle.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #63]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/autoblog-podcast-63/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/autoblog-podcast-63/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/autoblog-podcast-63/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's nice to be back in the swing of things. We're once again cranking out weekly podcasts, and #63 is a compact one. We start off salivating over the news that the next generation Suzuki Swift will be headed for US shores. We devolve from discussing an unsubstantiated rumor into wistful praise for the current can't have it Swift, and even make mention of Swifts from nigh on twenty years ago. The dustup over Alan Mulally's work of fiction at the New York Auto Show keynote draws our ire next. This one has it all, lies, grandstanding media with agendas, attacks, grandstanding media with agendas, misinformation, grandstanding media with agendas, disinformation, and finally, grandstanding media with agendas. Speaking of grandstanding, we nearly go as far as calling Lutz's bluff on the announcement that the hotly anticipated RWD cars from GM are on hold 'till regulators get their shizzle together. Whatevs. The entire GM turnaround is on hold? Not bloody likely. The consensus we come to is: Bad Lutz. So, turn on, tune in and peel out for our latest slice of podcast goodness.

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Autoblog Podcast #63 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblogautoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastblogospherebushdelayedgeelectricityexplosionfordg8general motorsGeneralMotorsgeorgegmholdhybridhydrogenjokekimmellutzmagazinesmediamotor trendMotorTrendmulallyon holdOnHoldplatformpodcastpresidentprintrwdsuzukiswiftwWed, 18 Apr 2007 11:07:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #63Dan Roth32:05autoblog, podcast, autoblog podcasts, suzuki, swift, mulally, kimmel, joke, bush, w, george, hybrid, white house, edge, gm, lutz, rwd, delay, http://www.autoblog.com/feed/876779/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/04/18/autoblog-podcast-63/876779/article-detail.xml 876779 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/new-ab-podcast_logo_200_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/new-ab-podcast_logo_200.jpg <![CDATA[Get ready for the onslaught - GM plans to celebrate New Year's with marketing blitz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/get-ready-for-the-onslaught-gm-plans-to-celebrate-new-years-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/get-ready-for-the-onslaught-gm-plans-to-celebrate-new-years-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/get-ready-for-the-onslaught-gm-plans-to-celebrate-new-years-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ah, that mythical 18-34 demographic. So celebrated in our popular culture, so coveted by brands, so elusive and fickle. They do like to party, though, and what better way to try and capture a little of their deficient attention span than to plaster your logo and brand all over the first huge party of the year? That's what Chevrolet will be doing to fulfill it's self-appointed role as the Times Square celebrations "official ride". Kind of ironic when you think about trying to drive in Midtown at any time, let alone a holiday. There's no way your Chevy's gonna get anywhere near Dick Clark that night.

GM's making quite the holiday push, actually. Chevrolet plans to cash in on hats adorned with the bowtie logo and a new billboard, all of which should be captured by cameras from several networks. They'll also be running spots for the Cobalt, HHR, Impala, and Malibu. Pontiac will be sponsoring a musical contest on Jimmy Kimmel Live and will host a band on their Pontiac Garage stage. Add to this the general ad blitz that makes up the GM Red Tag event, and it may feel like the GM show, punctuated by New Year's breaks.

[Source: Automotive News]

Get ready for the onslaught - GM plans to celebrate New Year's with marketing blitz originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingchevroletchevydick clarkDickClarkgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmjimmy kimmelJimmyKimmelmarketingmedianew year'snew year's eveNewYear'sNewYear'sEvepontiactimes squareTimesSquareSun, 24 Dec 2006 14:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/723809/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/24/get-ready-for-the-onslaught-gm-plans-to-celebrate-new-years-w/723809/article-detail.xml 723809 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/nye-05_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/nye-05.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan to Texans: "Our trucks are tough, too!"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/nissan-to-texans-our-trucks-our-tough-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/nissan-to-texans-our-trucks-our-tough-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/nissan-to-texans-our-trucks-our-tough-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It seems that full-size trucks must first curry the favor of Texans before they can court the rest of this country's citizenry. Dodge introduced its Ram Mega Cab Dually in the state and Ford unleashed its 2007 Expedition on unsuspecting Texans attending this year's Houston Auto Show. Toyota has eschewed any showmanship and will just build its new XXL Tundra in San Antonio.

Nissan has chosen to combat its less than stellar Titan sales by putting on a show in Bridgeport, Texas in order to demonstrate how tough its full-size pickups and SUVs can be. The Japanese company built an off-road course in a rock quarry recently purchased by the town that contained rock climbs, descents, water obstacles, rugged terrain and more. They then gave 80 journalists keys to the Titan and Frontier pickups and Xterra SUV and stood back... way back. We've yet to see any articles emerge from the media event, so we'll have to wait and see how many journalists the company converted.

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan to Texans: "Our trucks are tough, too!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Frontierfull-size truckFull-sizeTruckjournalistsmediaNissanoff-roadrock crawlingRockCrawlingSUVTexasTitanXterraThu, 06 Apr 2006 14:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/606120/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/06/nissan-to-texans-our-trucks-our-tough-too/606120/article-detail.xml 606120 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Nissan_Texas_2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Nissan_Texas_2.jpg <![CDATA[General Motors' Fastlane blog -- success, or failure?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/an-analysis-of-fastlane-blog/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/an-analysis-of-fastlane-blog/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/an-analysis-of-fastlane-blog/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Demir Barlas wrote a breakdown on the FastLane Blog, General Motors' online journal. Barlas gave positive marks to the blog itself, finding it easy to navigate and brimming with plenty of articulate writers with diverse views.

However, Barlas asserts, if GM is using the blog as a marketing tool, Fastlane Blog fails miserably. Barlas displays some of the comments by its readership, raw and unfiltered, much of it critical of the General. He then moves on to speculate if the blog is a 'failure of a success': that is, its relative merit depends on what the automaker intended to get out of it. If FastLane is meant to gather customer opinion and change business practice, then 'it is a failure.' But if it's a vehicle to hear from customers, then the blog is successful.

What's your opinion about Fastlane Blog and Barlas' article?

[Source: Line56]

General Motors' Fastlane blog -- success, or failure? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogBob LutzBobLutzFastlanemarketingmediaSun, 26 Mar 2006 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/602770/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/03/26/an-analysis-of-fastlane-blog/602770/article-detail.xml 602770 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/magnifying-glass-question_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/magnifying-glass-question.jpg -1 2