Category Archives: marketing

GM Sets March and Quarterly Sales Records in China

General Motors and its communist government mandated joint ventures in China sold 257,944 vehicles in March and 745,152 vehicles in the first quarter of 2012, setting both March and quarterly records. Continue reading

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Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën to Drop JV on Diesel Engines

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Ford said today that the companies have decided to independently develop and manufacture their larger diesel engines displacing more than 2-liters starting in 2015. The announcement, likely the result of the PSA and General Motors JV announced in February, ends a 12-year business relationship. Continue reading

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Offshore Brands Take 56% of U.S. Auto Market in March

Six of the top ten vehicles were international brands. At number six, the Toyota Prius made its strongest showing in history with sales of 28,711 units – a 54.3% increase over March 2011. As the top selling car in America, the newly revised Toyota Camry continued to sit in second place behind the Ford F-Series pickup truck; sales for the sedan were up 35.3% over March 2011. The aging Nissan Altima also remained strong at Number Three; Altima sales were up 27.1%. The new Honda CR-V held the fifth position – with sales up 54.3% – while the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic took the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. Continue reading

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New Chevrolet Ads with Verlander, Fielder for 2012 Season

As the 2012 major league baseball season begins, Chevrolet is using Justin Verlander and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers in 15-second spots that are a remake of the now classic 1974 “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet” TV ad. Don’t quit your day (and night) baseball jobs, guys… Continue reading

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U.S. Auto Sales Shift to Efficient and Less Profitable Cars

One potentially negative result because of the downsizing and easier credit trends is declining profits at automakers. The shift to smaller vehicles—in addition to the increase in financially less-qualified new–vehicle buyers, who tend to be younger and with less money to spend—means the average transaction price for new vehicles has dropped substantially in the recent quarter. Continue reading

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Chrysler, Ford and GM U.S. March Sales Continue Rebound

All of the Detroit Three continue to have weak spots as they face the resurgent Japanese and hard charging Korean automakers. However, all have critical car launches this year, which should keep the momentum going. One thing is becoming clearer as the year progresses – the offshore brands are coming back and the loyalty of their buyers remains as impressive as it remains a huge marketing challenge to the Detroit Three. Continue reading

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Shelby to Show 1,000 Horsepower Mustang in New York

Both of these blatantly irresponsible or politically incorrect pony cars – your choice – are derived from the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500. Shelby American uses Ford Motor Company’s 5.4 liter V8 block, but adds new rods, crank and pistons. The stock Ford supercharger is also replaced, and the cooling and exhaust systems modified to handle the additional demands. Continue reading

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Chevy Gogo Link Transfers Smart Phone Apps to Dumb Radio

This latest foray into automotive electronics raises not only distracted driving issues but marketing ones as well since GogoLink competes with GM’s OnStar. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Picks new JV for Global Advertising Agency

Chevrolet has selected Commonwealth as its new global advertising agency responsible for the development of creative campaigns for all types of Chevrolet ads. The latest marketing move at GM follows the announcement in January that the world’s largest automaker is consolidating all of its media buying under Carat, formerly its European agency of record in what was said to be a highly contested review of the $3 billion General Motors media account. Continue reading

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Toyota offers Protection from Lease Wear and Use Charges

Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services are introducing what is called an Excess Wear & Use (EWU) Protection Plan. The plan limits financial responsibility for items such as dings, dents, scratches, and missing parts or equipment when the lease … Continue reading

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March U.S. Auto Sales Tracking 6% Higher than a Year Ago

he 2012 outlook for vehicle sales remains positive, as the first quarter selling rate is expected to come in at 11.6 million units for retail and 14.4 million units for total light vehicles. This sales tempo is ahead of the Power forecast for the full year of 11.4 million units for retail light-vehicles and 14.1 million units for total light vehicles. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Expands to Northern Italy

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) has formed a joint venture with Andrea Mantellini, the operator of a BMW/Mini dealer group located in Bologna, Italy. The joint venture intends to acquire and operate dealerships in northern Italy, Penske said in a news release today. Mantellini will manage day-to-day operations of the business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Penske appears to be buying a premium brand and entry into the market at presumably fire sale prices. Continue reading

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Electric Sales for Prius C Hybrid after Three Days

While Detroit Three Automakers concentrate on increasing the transaction prices of their new models, Toyota Motor Sales is proving that price matters. In the first three days since the small Prius C went on sale it sold 1,201 units, bypassing sales of the much more expensive – two times the price – Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf for the entire month of February. The Volt plant in Detroit suspends production for five weeks starting next Monday because of slow sales. Continue reading

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February Car Sales Drop 10% as Eurozone Crisis Goes On

The dismal sales data, which has potential implications for the U.S. presidential election since all the Detroit Three companies are mired in losses from their European operations and previous taxpayer assistance remains controversial, confirmed what ACEA President Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat S.p.A. said two weeks ago. Continue reading

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Charlie Sheen in Fiat ‘House Arrest’ Spot to Air Nationally

In the spot, a crowd cheers Sheen as he races through a luxurious home in a Fiat 500 Abarth. Screeching to a stop, Sheen exits the vehicle, sporting an ankle monitor, as Catrinel Menghia, the same woman featured in a previous “Seduction” spot flirtatiously approaches him. It seems perfect for the sophomoric humor crowd. Continue reading

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