Autoblog

World Cup Fever: A1GP to make a comeback?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials

Until its demise, A1GP had an intriguing, original formula. (At least once it took its place as a feeder series and not a competitor to Formula One). The idea, for those unfamiliar, was to pit teams representing their home countries against each other in identical F1-style single-seaters on famous race tracks around the world. Unfortunately, like so many things, the execution failed to live up to the idea.

With the series financially supporting each team, the whole proverbial house of cards came tumbling down last year, its creditors (including Ferrari, which had designed and built their new spec racer) seizing the series' assets.

Now it seems that the self-styled "World Cup of Motorsport" may have another chance to see the light of day. A group of investors is reportedly working out a plan to get the cars and other assets out of hock and field them once more. But instead of the original doomed formula, the re-inaugurated series would demand each team secure its own financial backing, while the series organizers would coordinate the races and provide spare parts trackside. An off-season calendar could see the series run 10 races in 2011-12, if the plan comes to fruition.

[Source: Autosport]

World Cup Fever: A1GP to make a comeback? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Dodge FIFA World Cup ad forgets where the Challenger is built

Zach Bowman — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Dodge, Canada

Three horsemen of the Revolutionary War - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is there anything more American than taking someone else's hard work and claiming it for our own? Probably not. Maybe it's some sort of collective synaptic impulses left over from our former masters in the empire or some sort of instinctive will to survive at all costs brought about by our ancestors being made to carve out a life on an uncivilized continent. Whatever the reason, it doesn't seem like the impulse will let up any time soon. The recent Chrysler recent Red, White, and Blue soaked World Cup ad is a perfect example. If you need a refresher, check it out after the jump.

In the midst of the patriotic daze brought about watching George Washington behind the wheel of Dodge Challenger, we failed to point out that Chrysler isn't exactly the most American car company at the moment. As Consumer Reports has noted, with Canada owning a full 10 percent of the company and Italian carmaker Fiat holding the reigns to another 20 percent, the company isn't as 'apple pie' as it would have buyers believe.

Then there's the annoying fact that the Challenger itself is built off of a modified Mercedes-Benz platform and constructed in Ontario, Canada. Of course, the same sort of criticism can be leveled at Chrysler's new Jeep Grand Cherokee ads, which, while built in the U.S., also rides on a Benz-derived platform and also shares Italian and Canadian ownership ties.

Still, none of these facts make these ads any less effective, just hypocritical in the most ironically patriotic fashion.

Gallery: Dodge "Freedom" World Cup Ad

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Followup: Dodge FIFA World Cup ad forgets where the Challenger is built

Followup: Dodge FIFA World Cup ad forgets where the Challenger is built originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Soccer Hooligans Beware - It's the World Cup crash test

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Videos, UK, Humor, South America

World Cup crash test - Click above to watch video after the jump

Unless you've spent any time overseas during a World Cup celebration, you really can't comprehend how crazy fans go for their respective teams. With the event only coming around once every four years, everyone has plenty of time to let their craziness build up, and as a result, localities explode with flags of every origin and diehards take to the streets to profess their team pride. Naturally, that includes hanging out of every available car window and sunroof with air horns in hand.

Now, we don't speak German, so we have little to no idea who initiated this video after the jump, but it's worth checking out. A safety organization wanted to show just what happens when a vehicle gets into a low-speed accident with its occupants dangling outside of the body structure - a World Cup crash test. As you might imagine, it doesn't go well for a bunch of crash-test dummy fans when their Audi A6 Avant meets an immovable object.

So remember kids, keep your hands, heads and torso inside of the vehicle at all times, or the ze Germans will ruin a perfectly good long roof as punishment.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Soccer Hooligans Beware - It's the World Cup crash test

Video: Soccer Hooligans Beware - It's the World Cup crash test originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zetsche betting on World Cup, adding bigger Benz incentives if Germany wins tourney

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The 19th World Cup is set to kick off later this week, and Mercedes-Benz is throwing its weight behind the company's home team in the global competition. Silver Arrow head honcho Dieter Zetsche has just rolled out a wave of incentives in Germany to promote both the brand's association with the World Cup and the company's sponsorship of the German team. In the run up to the competition, German buyers can snag their own Mercedes-Benz with up to $2,493 in cash at current conversion rates, and should Germany walk away with the trophy, buyers can look forward to even more money.

If Germany can manage take the World Cup, special zero-percent financing and $381 in lease incentives will be made available. Unfortunately, that doesn't exactly look like it's going to happen. Germany hasn't won the World Cup since 1990, and this year doesn't look much better. The odds of the team winning are around 14-1, according to those who calculate such things.

Still, the incentives are less about the Silver Arrow's home team walking away with a trophy and more about Mercedes-Benz appealing to younger drivers. Currently, the company's median buyer age is significantly higher than either Audi or BMW, and Zetsche is likely looking to tap into new, younger money with the World Cup incentives.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Zetsche betting on World Cup, adding bigger Benz incentives if Germany wins tourney originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Free kick edition

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Renault, Humor

Goooooooaaaaallll! - Click above to watch the video after the break

Football fans - or, if you happen to live in the United States... soccer fans - are well aware that 2010 is the year of the FIFA World Cup. The international competition has been run every four year since 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not contested because of World War II. Stay tuned for this year's festivities in June and July from South Africa.

What does ~~soccer~~ football have to do with cars? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Unless you are Renault, it would seem. The French automaker has been associating itself with the sport for the last few years with a series of print and video advertisements for its Megane hatchback.

One such ad, which you can find conveniently pasted after the break, shows exactly what might happen if one overly exuberant Megane-owning football fan misjudges the power of his own free kick. Click here to see more funny car commercials from veryfunnyads.com.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Free kick edition

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Free kick edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Passing in the Corner: F1 and Soccer cross paths

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe

As two of the world's most popular and action-packed sports, F1 racing and soccer ("football" to just about everyone outside North America) share more in common than you'd think. This past season, the F1 race calendar was adjusted to avoid conflicting with the World Cup. No wonder, as grands prix are consistently second only to the World Cup (and the Olympics) for global television ratings.

Nearly all of the F1 drivers are avid football players, and routinely play friendly matches against each other. In a recent article in F1 Racing magazine, most of the drivers seemed to agree that Giancarlo Fisichella was the best player among them (though Schumacher and Alonso came close). Schumacher himself plays for FC Echichens, a third division Swiss team, whose coach (ironically named Patrick Ferrari) is hoping Michael will spend more of his new-found free time with the team. In the past, Schumi's demanding schedule had meant he'd leave in the middle of games to get to the track. And it was none other than soccer legend Pele who was on hand to present the retiring champ with a parting trophy at last Sunday's season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix.

Most of these intersections between soccer and grand prix racing are ad-hoc, but the Real Madrid football club is making it official. The team is going to sponsor an F1 car for the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix, and Williams appear the likeliest candidate, not least because, as an independent team, Williams.F1 wouldn't pose a problem for Audi, Real Madrid's sponsor.

NASCAR racing and American Football are undoubtedly the more popular forms of the two sports in the United States, and aside from the occasional special edition Ford truck, the two don't often cross paths. But everywhere else in the world, F1 racing and soccer are the be-all-and-end-all of sports. The FIA World Championship and the FIFA World Cup, it seems, share more than similar names, they share common fans with a common passion.

Passing in the Corner: F1 and Soccer cross paths originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota plant workers in England wish their boys luck in the World Cup

Erin Mays — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Toyota

You can almost see it from Germany! Workers in Toyota's Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, England, put together this little flag to wish the English team luck in the World Cup. It evidently took 12 hours and 40 hardworking soccer fans to get 400 Yarises into position. The 130' x 260' flag can reportedly be seen from 1,000 feet up and for miles around, wishing the boys over on the pitch in Germany best of luck.

England, who hasn't won the Cup since 1966, is leading Group B with 3 points.

Thanks to Mario for the tip.

[Source: AutoMotoPortal]

Toyota plant workers in England wish their boys luck in the World Cup originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Fire to play at Toyota Park

Erin Mays — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Toyota

In the midst of the fervor over the World Cup, Toyota has high hopes for soccer in Chicagoland, where it has bought the naming rights for the Chicago Fire's home stadium for the next 10 years. Toyota Park, as the $95 million stadium is to be called, will help Toyota and its dealers in Chicago gain visibility. Toyota is currently the number two brand in the area (behind Chevrolet).

Toyota Park, which is located at Harlem and 71st in Bridgeview, will host the home games of the Chicago Fire, as well as serve as the venue for concerts and other events. The Fire plays its first game there today.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Chicago Fire to play at Toyota Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European car market takes a dip with the commencement of the World Cup

Erin Mays — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Those crazy Europeans and their love of socc... er, we mean football... Auto manufacturers are bracing for impact upon the start of the World Cup, which promises to divert the attention of many a potential car buyer to the telly, where England reportedly has a brilliant chance of grabbing the brass ring in the world championships, taking place in Germany.

Now it sounds like the concept should be pretty fundamental. Potential car buyer is distracted by sporting event in June/July, then goes to buy his/her car after the Cup has finished. Not so much. Stats show that the industry doesn't make up the difference later in the summer, indicating that the World Cup truly does have a negative impact upon the automotive industry.

[Source: AutoIndustry.co.uk]

European car market takes a dip with the commencement of the World Cup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fever(ed) Pitch: World Cup mania casts spell on motorists

Chris Paukert — Sat, 27 May 2006 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Safety

World Cup hooliganism is a well-documented phenomenon. From crazed fans cheering for their teams in new and inordinate ways, to local pub punch-ups, ~~soccer~~ football mania is a way of life for millions around the globe.

As it happens, back in England, word is that the mania extends to driving practices as well. According to Churchill Car Insurance, accident rates escalate dramatically when the home team is taking part in tournament action. In fact, they were up 14 percent during the duration of the major tourneys, skyrocketing some 50 percent on game day.

The study mentions increases in driver stresses, along with hurried drives to catch the game at home as some of the reasons for the increase.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Fever(ed) Pitch: World Cup mania casts spell on motorists originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 May 2006 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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