Category Archives: marketing

Toyota Motor Q3 Profit Soars to ¥4.24 Trillion

Posted on 6 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“The increase in profits for fiscal year 2024 has been mainly due to the new car business, and our ‘transformation into a mobility company’ initiative is still a work in progress. We aim to further strengthen our value chain by leveraging our strength (asset) of having 100 million cars owned by our customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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All 2025 GM Vehicles Get OnStar at No Cost

Posted on 2 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“By standardizing some of our most appealing OnStar features, we can deliver more technology and value at every price point, helping ensure our vehicles and customers stay connected for the long term,” said Marissa West, president, GM North America. “With this move, every new vehicle in our lineup will include a compelling set of safety and connected services that is distinct to GM thanks to nearly 30 years of OnStar experience and innovation.” Continue reading →

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Slow Sales Start for US Light Vehicles in January 2024

Posted on 2 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“After a flurry of sales activity in December, there was always a risk that January would see some payback, with fewer consumers on the hunt for a new vehicle, and so it transpired. Apart from normal seasonal effects, the current environment is such that buyers remain price-sensitive and if the right deals are not available, volumes are liable to suffer,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Ford to Show Revised 2025 Explorer at Chicago Auto Show

Posted on 1 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“The new Explorer starts with a great foundation. Customers told us they love the way it drives and the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So, we focused on improving other areas including redesigning the interior with new materials, textures and colors to make sitting inside Explorer as enjoyable as driving one,” said Kelley Clark, Explorer chief engineer. Continue reading →

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Polestar 4 now on Sale in Europe and Australia

Posted on 31 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading →

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Rolex 24 At Daytona – Record Crowd as Porsche Beats Cadillac  

Posted on 29 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The finish of Rolex 24 At Daytona yesterday saw a record crowd watch tight racing thought the 59 car field with five cars in the fastest Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class on the lead lap when the checkered flag dropped short of the 24 hour mark. Leaving aside the officiating confusion, Porsche took the overall victory with No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963, even though the drivers weren’t immediately aware of the historic triumph along with the other four cars running on the same lap after twice around the clock. Maybe the timing officials should be wearing Rolex watches. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart

Posted on 26 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We are delighted that the Deutsche Fussball Liga has recognized our investment to be independent,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Executive Board Member for Finance and IT at Porsche. “This gives us the opportunity to increase our stake to more than 10%. We want to contribute our know-how actively in order to keep developing the team successfully together with all our partners. We share a great tradition with VfB Stuttgart. Porsche is hereby strengthening its long-term commitment to the Stuttgart region, in which both of us have deep roots.” Continue reading →

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January 2024 US Light Vehicle Sales Forecast to Drop a Tad

Posted on 26 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“After December 2023 reached the strongest sales pace in several years, January’s pace has slowed to 15.2 million units. December’s SAAR of 16.2 million was inflated by elevated discounts from manufacturers, particularly as they aimed to clear out remaining inventory of 2023 model-year vehicles. In addition, changes in the eligibility of many electric vehicles to qualify for government rebates, which took effect Jan. 1, meant many EV purchases that would have occurred in January were made in December. Since January is the month of the year when the fewest vehicles are sold, the aforementioned factors have a bigger effect on the SAAR than they would in higher volume months. In fact, while the drop in the SAAR is notable, January sales results historically are not particularly indicative of future sales performance,” says Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading →

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Porsche Reveals New Macan EV at Singapore Art Week

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The new Macan is a performance-oriented SUV with a high level of practicality for everyday use, high-quality equipment and spacious configuration. Electrification has led to increased luggage space in the Macan. Depending on the model and equipment fitted, the capacity behind the rear seat bench is up to 540 liters (cargo mode). In addition, there is the ‘frunk’, a second luggage compartment under the bonnet (hood) with a capacity of 84 liters. This amounts to 136 liters more than the previous model. If the rear seat backrest is folded down completely, the rear luggage compartment capacity increases to up to 1348 liters. The maximum towing capacity of 2000 kg rounds off the highly practical qualities of the new Macan,” said Porsche. Continue reading →

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Some VW ID.4 EVs Qualify for Full Federal Tax Credit

Posted on 24 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America said today that  model year 2023 ID.4 compact SUVs with SK On battery components and model year 24 Volkswagen ID.4 models when released with SK On components placed in service in 2024 are eligible for the full $7500 Federal Tax Credit* on a purchase by a qualifying purchaser. Model year 2023 ID.4 vehicles with LG components do not qualify. During 2023, the ID.4 was the fifth best-selling EV in the US market. Continue reading →

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Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S EVs Start at $64,500

Posted on 22 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The arrival of the all-electric Acura ZDX demonstrates our commitment to a zero-emissions future, but more than that it represents our passion for performance in the electrified era,” claimed Emile Korkor, assistant vice president, Acura National Sales. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Reveals STLA Large EV Platform

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our goals for our STLA platforms are ambitious but this is what our customers need from us today,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Creating a family of vehicles from a well-engineered set of components that is flexible enough to cover multiple vehicle types and propulsions, over-performing any of our current products, will address each of our iconic brands’ customers. The flexibility and agility of this platform is its hallmark and will be a driving force for our success in the shift to electrification in North America.” Continue reading →

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GMC to Add New Markets – Australia, New Zealand, China

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

GMC (NYSE: GM) said today that it is adding three new international markets. The premium truck brand at General Motors said customers in Australia, New Zealand and China will have the choice of the Yukon full-size SUV in these high-growth markets. China sales are expected to begin in 2024, with Australia and New Zealand following in 2025. This announcement follows the launch of GMC in South Korea in 2023 with the GMC Sierra LD pickup truck, pioneering the premium pickup market in the country. These new markets add to GMC sales in the US, Mexico, Canada and Middle East. Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad in 100th Year Posts Highest Sales Ever

Posted on 18 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“I would like to thank our customers all over the world for the great trust they have placed in us again in 2023. With a record result in our anniversary year, BMW Motorrad remains the world’s number one in the premium motorcycle and scooter segment and once again demonstrates the brand’s successful strategic orientation. Our market leadership in numerous segments is based on innovation leadership, our highly attractive product range and our strong brand. Based on these three main success factors, BMW Motorrad is ideally positioned and I am very confident about the year 2024,” said Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad. Continue reading →

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Western European Market Diesel Car Sales Down in 2023

Posted on 18 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The slowdown in BEV growth will no doubt have boosted the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector to some degree and perhaps fed into the relatively buoyant end to the year as far as diesel is concerned,” said GlobalData. “All markets ended 2023 with a smaller diesel share than seen in 2022 except one. Our figures indicate that Germany, with a diesel share of 24.4% for 2023 saw a rise from the 2022 value of 23.6%. Diesel demand has held up well in the country, supported by plenty of product from the dominant domestic brands and driving patterns that highlight the value available from diesel versus alternatives very well.” Continue reading →

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