Category Archives: marketing

Milestones – 90 Years of the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Verde

Posted on 17 June 2013 by Ken Zino

In the Anglo Saxon world, a green four-leaf clover should call up images of Irish luck, but by a fourfold twist of European fate, this legendary symbol is identified with some of Alfa Romeo’s sportiest Italian models going back to 1923. Continue reading →

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Automaker Defense of Hands-Free Devices Hooey AAA Says

Posted on 13 June 2013 by Ken Zino

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is taking on the oft-used automaker defense their profitable selling of hands-free electronic devices that are expanding exponentially in new cars. The latest data show that dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers “keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Best Global Green Brand Again

Posted on 13 June 2013 by Ken Zino

This assessment from Interbrand is not without self-interest since it makes money from its consultancy, which it boasts is the world’s leading supplier of advertising campaigns. Each brand’s perception score is determined through a consumer study covering over 10,000 respondents; over 1,000 in each of the 10 largest economies, including the US, Japan, China, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Brazil, India, and Russia. Continue reading →

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New 2014 GM Models Get Two Years Free Maintenance

Posted on 7 June 2013 by Ken Zino

Customers who purchase or lease a new 2014 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC car, truck or crossover in the U.S. will be covered by a new maintenance program that includes scheduled services for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Continue reading →

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Price War as Honda Cuts Fit EV Lease to $259

Posted on 30 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Moreover, the revised Fit EV three-year lease requires no down payment, has unlimited mileage, provides routine maintenance and collision coverage, as well providing a 240-volt home charging station, although the customer must pay for its installation but owns it forever. To the horror of auto execs, this program might foreshadow the next generation of marketing incentives that would apply to other types of vehicles. Continue reading →

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GM to Rebadge Nissan NV200 as Chevrolet City Express

Posted on 14 May 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors and Nissan announced today that the companies signed an agreement for Nissan to produce a small cargo van that GM will sell in the United States and Canada. GM will rebadge the Nissan NV200 as the Chevrolet City Express, which will go on sale in the fall of 2014. Why the world’s second largest automaker needs to go outside for a small commercial van goes back to a decades old Opel decision to outsource small van production in Europe. Ford, Renault and Citroen all thrive in the segment. It is an embarrassing position for GM in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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Corvette Stingray to Pace Indianapolis 500

Posted on 2 May 2013 by Ken Zino

The C7 Corvette Stingray will pace Indianapolis 500 events during the month of May. This is a record 12th time that Chevrolet has paid millions in promotional fees to have the Corvette as the Pace Car, going back to 1978 before the Indy Racing League disaster severely hurt U.S. open wheel racing. No word on whether there will be retail versions of the decaled car. Continue reading →

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Some Corvette Prices Revealed – $51,995 to more than $73,000

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet revealed today some of the prices of the 2014 Stingray that goes on sale this summer but held back the MSRP of the highest performing Corvettes. Continue reading →

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The History of Lexus

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Lexus launched in 1989 with two luxury sedans, one small and the other large aimed directly at the Mercedes-Benz S-class. The full size Lexus LS 400 was priced more than $10,000 under top of the line German offerings in the US. At the time, Lexus made bold claims of superior quality and durability, as well as several years without a marked decrease in the quietness, smooth ride, and exterior and interior finishes of the new luxury car line. Continue reading →

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Kia Dealers Offer Three Months of Sirius on Used Vehicles

Posted on 9 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Sirius XM Radio and Kia dealers will give customers a three-month subscription when buying used vehicles equipped with satellite radio. Participating Kia dealers join more than 9,000 auto dealers across the country enrolled in the SiriusXM Pre-Owned Vehicle Program. Continue reading →

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Gibson Guitar Mobile Repair Van is built off Nissan NV200

Posted on 22 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Gibson and Nissan have created the Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van, which will debut next week at the New York Auto Show. The van will serve as a mobile guitar repair shop at places where guitar players congregate, such as major music festivals, concerts, recording studios or even private homes. Continue reading →

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Renault Revives Alpine with First Le Mans Entry in 35 Years

Posted on 16 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Last November, Renault said it will revive the long defunct Alpine brand with the creation of the Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham. While the first new Alpine is expected go on sale in 2016, the publicity machine is already in full operation. Continue reading →

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Shaq is Back in New TV Ad for Buick LaCrosse

Posted on 1 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Shaquille O’Neal in an encore performance returns to TV screens across the country this weekend in a new Buick TV spot titled “More Than I Expected.” The advertisement is the latest in the “You Don’t Know Buick” campaign. During February, Buick sales led by the Enclave at 5,241 crossovers rose 15%. However, the LaCrosse sedan, which is due to be revised later this year, dropped 30% to 3,700 units. Continue reading →

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GM Debuts New Business Elite Program for Fleet Customers

Posted on 1 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet and GMC are today introducing a new commercial dealer program called Business Elite at 469 dealerships. The Elite program, targeted at business customers who own one to 100 vehicles, is designed to provide the country’s estimated 400,000 small-to-mid-size businesses with special treatment. Continue reading →

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Nissan Juke Nismo Arrives in U.S. this Spring

Posted on 28 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor at a dedication of its refurbished Nismo facility in Yokohama, Japan said that the first performance car coming from the new center will be a Juke, followed by the 2014 model 370Z. A new GT-R Nismo is also in the works. Nissan said more Nismo models will appear, at least one every year. All of the cars that the performance versions will be built from so far represent small volumes in the U.S., selling in January 2,400 Juke, 331 370Z and 48 GT-R models. The Nismo versions will be built in the same plants as the standard models.
Continue reading →

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