Category Archives: marketing

Annals of Marketing – Universal Pictures’ Wicked and Lexus

“As a proud partner of Universal’s ‘Wicked,’ Lexus is helping drive audiences to experience the film’s powerful and transformative magic this holiday season,” said Cynthia Tenhouse, vice president, Lexus marketing. “Offering three-row luxury, innovative technology, and plenty of cargo space for extra broomsticks, the Lexus TX is the perfect vehicle for travelers, wherever the road may take them.” Continue reading

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September 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales Down Slightly

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for September stood at 90 million annually, in line with August’s results, according to an analysis just released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Looked at year-over-year (YoY), market volumes are continuing to trend downwards as sales volumes were down ~ 4% versus September 2023. Furthermore, YTD sales are now only up fractionally compared to the same period last year.

“In September, sales were down across most regions. Sales in China fell 5% YoY, as the economy faces headwinds and despite the ongoing scrappage incentive. In the US sales fell YoY for the month, with this September having fewer selling days. Finally, sales in Western Europe remained underwhelming, as a weak economy and high vehicle prices dragged on LV market activity,” said the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. Continue reading

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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches

Nissan announced today an “enhancement “to the MyNISSAN app that claims to simplify EV ownership by consolidating vehicle management and public charging into one app. Users store a default payment method in the MyNISSAN app, then once at a compatible charging station, simply tap an on-screen button to start a charging session within the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. This new app will be available to MyNISSAN app users by November 2024.

“Owning and charging a Nissan EV will become simpler and more seamless with the launch of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The new network allows Nissan Ariya and future Nissan EV drivers to use their MyNISSAN app to find charging stations, see real-time charger availability and pay for charging – all in one streamlined experience,” Nissan said in a release. Continue reading

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Porsche Sales Weak Through Q3 2024

Porsche AG today posted sales declines for the first nine months of the year. Overall global sales at 226,026 dropped -7%. China sales at 43,280 plunged -29%. “This reflects poor economy in the Chinese market” that is affecting all makers. Worse, there is now an outright trade war over tariffs between the EU and China. North American sales at 61,471 dropped -5%. In Europe (excluding Germany), Porsche delivered 52,465 vehicles in the first nine months, an increase of 1% compared to the same period last year. In the home market of Germany, the number of vehicles delivered rose by 8 % as 26,838 units were delivered to customers.

“Customer demand remains at a robust level and the feedback from our customers on the new models is very good. As product availability increases, we are optimistic about the final spurt for 2024,” claimed Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. Continue reading

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Man vs Autonomous Machine Race Coming to Suzuka

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL)* said today that a “Man vs Machine Showdown” is coming to the Suzuka Circuit in Japan next month. The exhibition race will be the first time Japanese spectators  can see a head-to-head race between human drivers and AI technology. It will take place on the Super Formula double-header season finale on November 9-10.

“In partnership with Japan Race Promotion, A2RL’s ‘Man vs Machine’ challenge will pit two Super Formula race cars against each other in a head-to-head competition. One car will be piloted by former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, A2RL’s development driver, while the other will be entirely controlled by advanced autonomous algorithms and robotics, showcasing cutting-edge technology,” A2RL said. Continue reading

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Off The Grid! – New GM Energy PowerBank

GM Energy said today that it is launching the so-called GM Energy PowerBank, a stationary storage product that allows EV owners the ability to store and transfer energy from the grid. It also has the option of integrating with solar power equipment. The General Motors* subsidiary has also expanded access to energy management products across all 50 states. It’s the latest step whereby EV customers can gain increasing independence from utility companies and the unreliable, climate change vulnerable power grid. It’s also the latest move that shows fossil-fueled stock analysts  – many of them reflexively negative on GM – are headed for extinction. Continue reading

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First Glance – Volkswagen Tiguan Update via Tayron

“The new Tayron is a bonafide Volkswagen: its quality is reflected in every detail; it is comfortable and practical for everyday life, and it is available with a wide range of drive systems. With this new Volkswagen SUV, we are further expanding our range in a growing segment and closing the gap between our best-seller, the Tiguan, and our luxury SUV, the Touareg. I am convinced that the Tayron will make its mark and be well received by our customers,”said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Ford Bronco Free Wheeling Package

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) today announced a new 2025 Bronco Free Wheeling appearance package.* The retro marketing ploy adds red, orange, and yellow touches derived from Ford’s Free Wheeling trucks, vans and Broncos of the 1970s and 1980s – back when Ford was able to sell passenger vehicles. 

“Bronco has always been about fun and capability since day one and Free Wheeling’s looks kick that up a notch with its sunset inspired beach vibes,” claimed Steve Gilmore, Ford Vehicle Personalization chief designer. “We’ve modernized the new Bronco Free Wheeling in line with today’s fashion and graphic trends, including seats that mimic the color palette of the exterior stripes and unique pops of color that come together in an optimistic way.”  Continue reading

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IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs

IONNA, a charging network founded by eight automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota –  announced today the ground breaking for the first IONNA ‘Rechargery.’ It is remaking a historic district gas station into an EV charging station in Apex, North Carolina. AutoInformed notes the irony, and also  that the town was built around a railroad steam engine refill pond, which the workers dubbed Apex. Continue reading

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U.S. Vehicles Sales Drop as Consumers Wait for Discounts

“September sales were in line with our forecast, although our expectations were modest for what was always penciled in to be a quieter month. Even though the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points – above the expectations of many analysts – it is likely to take some time for lower borrowing costs to feed through to the auto industry. Generally, high vehicle pricing is keeping monthly payments elevated, and therefore some consumers are still sitting on the sidelines,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts at GlobalData. Continue reading

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Nissan Group U.S. Q3 Sales Off 2.2% with Varying Results

Nissan Group today announced total U.S. third-quarter (July – September) sales for 2024 of 212,068 units, a decrease of -2.2% versus the prior year.

Broken out ,Infiniti USA reported deliveries of 14,540 vehicles Q3 2024, a decrease of 12.1%.The QX50 crossover bucked the trend, with an increase of 11.7% for the quarter and 10.1% for the year. Infiniti car sales plunged -36.2% at 2041. Infiniti CUV/SUV sales were off -8.7% at 14,503. Continue reading

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American Honda September Sales Drop 9%

American Honda today posted tepid September sales of 105,527 units down ~9% month over month and year-to-date.

“Our sales momentum has continued through the third quarter with strong demand for Honda and Acura SUVs, and growing sales of electrified models,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Company.

“Despite some supply issues due to the preparation for EV manufacturing and supply challenges related to the catastrophic Hurricane Helene in the Southeast, we continue to gain sales momentum based on a flexible strategy of offering fuel efficient petrol, hybrid-electric and battery-electric models to meet the needs of our customers,” Woefler claimed. Since the results weren’t broadcast it’s impossible to know if his nose grew longer when making that claim. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North America September Sales off 20%

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) posted U.S. September sales of 162,595 vehicles, down 20.3% on a volume basis and down 9.9% on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis versus September 2023. This is consistent with the expected industry sales slump evident at all other automakers thus far. September electrified vehicle sales consisting of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, pure electrics and fuel cells were 48.4% of total sales volume and totaled 78,683, up 22.4% on a volume basis and up 38.3 % on a DSR basis. Toyota remains the industry’s number one retail brand through the nine month period. Continue reading

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GM Posts Modest U.S. Sales increase for Q3 2024

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today its dealers increased retail sales by 3% year over year in September and delivered 659,601 total vehicles, down 2%, in the U.S. during Q3 of 2024. The company posted another record quarter of EV sales with 32,195 total deliveries, up 60% year-over-year and up 46% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The industry total SAAR is estimated at 16.2 million, equal to Q2 and YOY. There were 76 selling days for Q 3 2024 and 78 selling days for the same Quarter last year.

“GM’s EV portfolio is growing faster than the market because we have an all-electric vehicle for just about everybody, no matter what they like to drive,” claimed Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president of Global Markets. Continue reading

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Mattias Ekström Joins Ford Performance for 2025 Dakar Rally

“Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me,” said Mattias Ekström. “Ford and M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds, and drives awesome and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally. I have had four tries at Dakar so far and now I can say that I have some experience to be able to aim for the top. There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team. I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.” Continue reading

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