Category Archives: marketing

GM Sales up Slightly in February as Trucks Soar

Posted on 3 March 2015 by Ken Zino

According to J.D. Power PIN data, the Chevrolet Silverado’s retail market share in the full-size pickup segment was 27.2% in February, up 1.5 percentage points from a year ago, at the expense of Ford’s F-Series and FCA’s Ram brand. Continue reading →

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Artic Cat Buys Motorfist

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Arctic Cat said it would maintain the Motorfist name. Motorfist will continue to operate independently with its current staff in Idaho Falls. Continue reading →

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Chicago Auto Show Attendance up a claimed 7%

Posted on 25 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Despite one fewer public day at nine, the Chicago Auto Show’s attendance increased a claimed 7% year-over year. However, the trade association running the show declined to reveal the number of visitors. Take all auto show attendance claims with a boxcar full of salt. Continue reading →

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Mazda Gold Cup Shuns Michigan

Posted on 16 February 2015 by Ken Zino

There is nary a Michigan dealer on the list – strange since Mazda was part of a successful joint venture with Ford Motor in Flat Rock, MI for decades. The message for people living in Michigan – shop another brand. Continue reading →

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Super Bowl Auto Ads Better than Incentives?

Posted on 13 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Super Bowl advertising is claimed to be efficient because the average automotive advertiser achieving a projected 2.4% increase in retail market share. Auto brands that advertised during the game gained a combined 0.9 percentage point of retail share compared to those that did not. Continue reading →

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2015 Chevrolet Colorado GearOn Debuts at Chicago

Posted on 10 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The GearOn accessory package, it’s claimed, is designed for configuration with a multitude of mounting accessories for bikes, kayaks, skis and stand-up paddle boards and a bed-mounted tent. Continue reading →

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GM in Process of Dumping Ally, Formerly GMAC

Posted on 8 February 2015 by Ken Zino

General Motors is in the midst of rebuilding its long gone GMAC financial empire due to bankruptcy, is replacing it with General Motors Financial, which appears to be an exact duplicate of the auto-lending arm of Ally, formally known as GMAC without the housing lending risks that sunk the company. Continue reading →

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GM U.S. January Sales up 18% on Trucks

Posted on 3 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The gains were largely the result of booming truck and crossover demand. Year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 42%, following last month’s 43% increase. Large pickup sales were up 22% and more than 8000 all-new mid-size trucks were delivered. GM is the only U.S.-based automaker competing in this segment that Ford once dominated with its now abandoned Ranger. Continue reading →

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Ford Kicks off Racing Season with Win at Daytona

Posted on 27 January 2015 by Ken Zino

In only its second season, a heavily modified Ford EcoBoost engine has won the two most important endurance races in North America – the 2014 12 Hours of Sebring and the 2015 Rolex 24. The EcoBoost program has now racked up four Prototype victories overall with Chip Ganassi Racing, including the 2014 Long Beach and Circuit of the Americas events. Continue reading →

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Cheap Gas means Cheaper Hybrids and EVs

Posted on 15 January 2015 by Ken Zino

As gasoline prices continue to drop, automakers are increasing incentives on alternative fuel vehicles – hybrids and pure EVs. Ford’s Focus Electric hatchback, which sells at an average of 16% off MSRP, leads January’s list of best savings on new vehicles, according to a web buying service. Continue reading →

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Viper Customization – No Copies with Unique ‘1 of 1’ Builds

Posted on 9 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Dodge is giving its Viper a level of exclusivity by creating a new custom Viper GTC model and a sales scheme that gives Viper customers the opportunity to create their very own one-of-one American hand-built car. Another aspect of exclusivity comes from slow sales, as Viper is badly outclassed by the new Corvette, among other performance cars. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet with New LED Displays at NAIAS in Detroit

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today release a sneak peek of its North American International Auto Show, aka NAIAS, with an all-new display with six 20 ft.-tall, transparent screens with coordinated LED lighting and music that will tell – actually sell – stories about the brand’s cars, trucks and crossovers. Chapters include highlights of Chevrolet’s dependability, performance, belief in the power of play, available in-vehicle Wi-Fi technology through OnStar 4G LTE. Continue reading →

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Wireless Car Shopping Grows in December

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Unique visitors to TrueCar.com were 3.7 million in December versus 2.4 million a year ago. This increase coincides with a recovering U.S. economy and growing consumer confidence. Continue reading →

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BMW Welt Still largely a German Car Delivery Program

Posted on 23 December 2014 by Ken Zino

During 2014, BMW Welt set a new record of 22,500 vehicle-deliveries. Delivery of the first of BMW’s new electric vehicles debuted this year, with 31 BMW i3s and 35 BMW i8s handed over. Continue reading →

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Acura NSX World Debut at 2015 NAIAS. GT Racing Planned

Posted on 19 December 2014 by Ken Zino

This racing program – emulating a well-worn, rubber covered line used by Chevrolet’s Corvette – begs the question whether the parent company of Acura, Honda – is now more “American” then, say Ford Motor or Fiat Chrysler? Continue reading →

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