Category Archives: marketing

Hyundai Genesis – a Rebadging Flop?

It’s time to look at Hyundai’s wannabe luxury-brand Genesis, three years after its less than stellar debut. On paper it seemed a good idea – albeit untried – at the time. Hyundai plucked on of its existing cars and rebadged it as the debut model for its new brand. Genesis was stillborn without its own DNA or unique selling proposition. Continue reading

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BMW Has Claim on Leading Electrification. iNEXT Debuts in LA

“Sales of our electrified vehicles are up over 40% in the year to date. Around every fifth BMW 5 Series sedan or BMW 2 Series Active Tourer sold worldwide has a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, while our all-electric BMW i3 remains very successful with sales up over 10% in October,” said Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales. Continue reading

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U.S. Used Vehicle Prices Drop for Second Consecutive Month

While not a discernible trend yet, it’s another warning that the auto market could be headed for a downturn. Continue reading

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Mercedes GLC 63 S 4Matic+ Fastest SUV on Nürburgring

Mercedes-Benz claims the GLC 63 S 4Matic+ is not only the top performer (really – is that the best you can do against Alfa, under 3 seconds?), but also day-to-day useable: it has space for passengers and luggage, an adaptable interior, extensive safety features and a high level of long-distance comfort. Continue reading

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European Market Sinks. One-Third of Model Versions Not legal

Alternative-fueled vehicles continued to gain traction with their market share increasing by 2 percentage points to 7.5%, while demand for pure electric cars grew immensely, with volume up by 70%. Continue reading

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November Auto Sales Forecast Down First Time Since 2009

Although sales remain healthy , factors such as increasing market saturation, rising transaction prices and elevated interest rates continue to create problems for all automakers. This probably will continue into 2019, perhaps for all of 2019 AutoInformed opines as the illusion of the Trump tax cuts fades with the reality of declining middle-class wealth emerges. Continue reading

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Shanghai: LMP1 Hybrids Faster and/or Luckier than P2 Cars

Morning rain forced a safety car start due to treacherous track conditions, but even driving at reduced speed was risky and soon an accident further down the field prompted a red flag, with the pole position #7 TS050 HYBRID leading the #8 car. Continue reading

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Chevy Performance Releases Colorado ZR2 Race Parts

“These parts can be purchased individually to suit each customer’s needs, or as a complete package,” said Dickens. “This gives customers the flexibility to build their truck up over time, purchase only the parts they need for their particular interest, or buy the complete set to build their own ‘Hall Racing’ ZR2.” Continue reading

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Ford Buys E-Scooter Company Spin

Spin is the latest move by Ford in the so-called “mobility space,” as the company attempts to build businesses that will help its poor operational and stock performance. Some company or companies – and it is an open and ever-expanding field – will provide mobility businesses to help customers get places more easily, more quickly and, allegedly, less expensively. Continue reading

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Chevy Marks Four Years of Colorado Sales with Sales Editions

November marks the four-year anniversary of the return of the Colorado midsize truck. In a segment that Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford walked away from to the delight of Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan. Continue reading

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2019 Toyota Mirai Brings Real Power

“Mirai means ‘future’ in Japanese and that’s where this technology will take us,” claimed Ed Laukes, group vice president, marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “The new marketing campaign shows how Mirai gives drivers the power to move the world forward with the touch of a button.” Continue reading

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All New Mazda3 to Debut at Los Angeles Motor Show

The all-new Mazda3 adopts a “richer interpretation of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy,” which embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics. Meanwhile, fundamental performance attributes have been raised to a new level. Next generation SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture (our vote for the worst name for good handling, clean engines and vehicles) enables “people to make the most of their natural sense of balance and the latest SkyActiv engines offer responsive control of vehicle speed in any driving situation.” Continue reading

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Ford F-Series and HISTORY Launch Six-Hours of ‘Truck Weekend in America.’ World’s Longest Commercial?

This first-of-its-kind collaboration appears to be a commercial – thus far unseen by AutoInformed – that highlights Ford’s truck legacy of “toughness, heritage and performance.”
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Distracted Dining? Buick Adds Yelp

Marketplace, claimed to be the industry’s first in-vehicle commerce platform, is one more way Buick is using connectivity to enhance vehicles and create new and convenient “customer experiences,” if you are willing to give up your privacy and have your personal data sold for the profit of other organizations. Continue reading

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October Western European Passenger Car Sales Drop -7.3%

Given the persistence of falling sales in several key markets linked to WLTP-related disruptions, LMC now sees 2018 full-year growth of a mere 0.8%, a little lower than previously. In addition, with the prospects for economic growth now looking slightly weaker in some key markets, LMC have reduced the 2019 West European sales forecast in volume terms with YoY growth seen at, gulp. 0.9%. Continue reading

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