Category Archives: marketing

2024 BMW CE 02 – A Two Wheel EV

BMW Motorrad USA today announced the new 2024 BMW CE 02 – an electric two-wheeler something or other. BMW said (marketing babble alert> “it’s electric, designed to appeal to young people and it’s neither an e-motorbike nor an e-scooter. It’s an eParkourer (sic), created for the urban environment. Nimble, practical, tough, and reduced to the essentials in terms of design. Large wheels meet the demand for robustness and at the same time ensure riding fun on many differing terrains.” Whatever it is, when it rolls into the US, the MSRP will be $7599 plus destination, plus accessories, plus taxes. CE 02 has a top speed of 59 mph, and a range of ~56 miles. Continue reading

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Toyota Teases New Land Cruiser

Toyota Motor Sales USA from Plano, Texas released two teaser images of what it claimed was the “all-new Toyota rugged SUV.” We are not sure how to say with tongue firmly planted in cheek in Japanese (頬にしっかりと舌を植えて ? – we are trying to keep a straight face here – expecting the usual long, slow marketing rollout), but this is obviously the new Land Cruiser, unless the Republican Texas pox has removed from Toyota’s memory the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate. Continue reading

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Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS EV Charging Connector

Electrify America said today it will add the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to Electrify America and Electrify Canada’s fast charging networks to broaden charging s for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. NACS was previously known as the Tesla connector introduced more than a decade ago with its unique pin or plug design that can use both a/c and d/c charging. Electrify America will continue to provide the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector throughout its network as it transitions to also support automakers adding NACS charging ports. Continue reading

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BMW Motorrad Links Rent A Ride and Fuel For Life

BMW Motorrad said in Munich this morning that it is combining its Rent A Ride motorcycle program with Fuel For Life. Simply put this offers one-stop shopping for motorcycling enthusiasts looking for experiences globally. Rent A Ride is not just … Continue reading

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Honda Prologue EV Losing Vapor Ware Status

Long ago in April 2021, Honda global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, announced a vision to achieve carbon-neutrality for its products and corporate activities by 2050, including key targets for sales of electrified vehicles. This vision called for the sales ratio of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles in North America to increase from 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2035 to 100% by 2040. Continue reading

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Annals of Electric Marketing – Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac today released a teaser video of the all-new Escalade IQ ahead of its official reveal on 9 August 2023. As the brand’s first all-electric full-size SUV, Cadillac claims that Escalade IQ represents the reinvention of Cadillac’s most iconic nameplate. 

Well, Escalade is an SUV that is longer than Scorsese’s Irishman, and likely far more profitable. Continue reading

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Acura 2024 Integra Type S – $12,999 per Cylinder

This is the fourth Acura Type S performance variant to launch in the last two years, which begs the question of what is “ultimate street performance,” since Acura keeps marketing, new variants as it spreads across the lineup? Continue reading

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Dream Cruise – Roadkill Nights Moves to Woodward Ave

“We can’t wait to bring Roadkill Nights and street-legal drag racing to the heart of downtown Pontiac,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand CEO at Stellantis. “Roadkill Nights continues to evolve each year, with the Pontiac stop serving as the second of two Roadkill Nights events in 2023. Our little horsepower circus has grown from a grassroots event to a can’t-miss event for any true muscle car enthusiast.” Continue reading

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Subaru 2024 Ascent – $37,000 to $51,235

Subaru of America today announced pricing on the 2024 Ascent,* its 3-row, 7- or 8-passenger SUV. The Ascent has decent amount of standard safety, driver assist, and in-vehicle technologies. Available in six trim levels – Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Onyx … Continue reading

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Mustang Dark Horse in Rolling Road Wind Tunnel

Overall, Mustang Dark Horse includes multiple changes and additional features, including a redesigned front bumper, a lower valence, a spoiler, and unique wheels. The front design is optimized to potentially increase air flow for engine cooling, brakes and air intake, while also reducing front lift. On the Mustang Dark Horse, the lower air spoiler and splitter are unique allowing the car to be tuned for greater downforce. The upgraded handling package on the Dark Horse provides a unique splitter, spoiler, and wheels – changes that may seem small but that make all the difference when hitting the road or track with performance in mind. Continue reading

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Buick Teases the 2024 Envision SUV

The Envision is the third of five new vehicles Buick is debuting through 2024. Buick claims it has  become the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the US with sales up ~76% through May 2023. In Canada, Envision sales are up ~78.5% through May 2023. The current Envision has achieved its highest ever retail sales over the first half of 2023 and is on track to have its best sales year ever in the US and Canada as North American demand for luxury SUVs continues unabated. Continue reading

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Le Mans – Ferrari, Corvette, Victorious in Rain

As always, rain induced carnage worked its way with hapless drivers making the outcome somewhat random with roughly one-third of the race run under yellow flags with its innovative five separate safety cars deployed by class. There was a record 16-car hypercar field with competitors from Cadillac,* Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche. These race cars are now clearly as complex, exciting and as expensive as Formula One cars. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

“Even though Chevrolet has been racing since its inception in 1911, we’ve never done anything quite like Garage 56,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss, who in AutoInformed’s direct experience losing to him on a track, is quite an accomplished driver himself. If he can sit through interminable corporate meetings, we bet he could run Le Mans, but he isn’t driving. Continue reading

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Ford Next with Uber to Offer Drivers Mustang Mach-Es

“We understand uptime and ease of use are critical to every rideshare driver. As more of them make the switch to electric vehicles, we’re building the Ford Drive program around their unique needs,” claimed Bill Knapp, who heads Ford Drive. Continue reading

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GM Adding Active Safety Systems to 98% of its 2023 Vehicles

“GM has gone well beyond the safety commitment we made to our customers for the 2023 model year, with a handful of additional standard safety features shown to bring real-world results,” claimed John Capp, director, Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy and Regulations. “As we look ahead toward a future vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, these technologies are significant building blocks with proven benefits for reducing common crashes.” Continue reading

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