Category Archives: shows and events

Annals of Marketing – Lexus and the LA Clippers

Posted on 16 February 2024 by Ken Zino

The LA Clippers said this week that Lexus will be named “the official luxury vehicle of the LA Clippers and Intuit Dome,” with a Lexus Courtside Lounge at the new arena. Lexus joins naming rights partner Intuit and AT&T, Pechanga, and Ticketmaster as Intuit Dome Founding Partners. Ex-Microsoft pooh-bah Steve Balmer now owns and runs the Clippers. The monetarily peripatetic team was formerly of Buffalo and San Diego.

The Clippers history with arenas is troubled. They fled the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in 1999 for Staples Center (nowadays Crypto.com Arena; that’s com not con), which they shared as an unloved stepchild with the Los Angeles Lakers and the National Hockey League’s LA Kings. The rental deal with the Lakers required the removing and then re-installation of Laker memorabilia and sponsorship logos and other stuff  before and after their games. Hardly five easy pieces – so to Jack Nicholson speak  – with our fond memories of his courtside Lakers seats where he held court at the Forum and Staples Center. Continue reading →

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Ford Trends – Climate Change and Post Covid Consumer Views

Posted on 16 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Jen Brace, Trends and Futuring Manager at Ford Motor (NYSE: F) yesterday noted several trends in global research that show post-pandemic shifts in consumer sentiment and how people are reacting to technology by rewriting the rules of living, working, buying, and traveling. The self-professed “data nerd” shared the latest Ford consumer research with the Society of Automotive Analysts via Zoom. Continue reading →

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Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Cox Automotive – US Vehicle Market Off To Slow Start, But…

Posted on 6 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Chief Economist of Cox Automotive* Jonathan Smoke said this morning that the US auto market is off to a slow start. However, the two-handed economist said that “We are seeing more positive momentum in the used-car market and in fixed operations. Tax refunds are just now starting to flow, and that should bring the strongest used-car market performance for the year.”

“We’re only halfway through January with the credit card spending data. But so far it appears that the consumer is holding up with spending growth stable relative to the level of spending growth we had at the end of last year. That was slower than we had seen previously in 2023. But it is enough. To produce growth of roughly 4% in nominal terms in consumer spending, and that’s enough to keep the economy moving forward,” Smoke said.** Continue reading →

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Ford to Show Revised 2025 Explorer at Chicago Auto Show

Posted on 1 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“The new Explorer starts with a great foundation. Customers told us they love the way it drives and the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So, we focused on improving other areas including redesigning the interior with new materials, textures and colors to make sitting inside Explorer as enjoyable as driving one,” said Kelley Clark, Explorer chief engineer. Continue reading →

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Polestar 4 now on Sale in Europe and Australia

Posted on 31 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading →

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Group Troubles Move Forward Akio Toyoda’s Vision Speech

Posted on 30 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) today spoke to an audience of chairmen, presidents, and front-line leaders from 17 Toyota Group companies [1] at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology [2] on the company’s founding principles and outlining his vision for the Group’s future direction – called “Inventing our path forward, together.”

While originally planned for 14 February 2024, the birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda, the speech was brought forward in light of recent “irregularities” at Group companies. Continue reading →

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Rolex 24 At Daytona – Record Crowd as Porsche Beats Cadillac  

Posted on 29 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The finish of Rolex 24 At Daytona yesterday saw a record crowd watch tight racing thought the 59 car field with five cars in the fastest Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class on the lead lap when the checkered flag dropped short of the 24 hour mark. Leaving aside the officiating confusion, Porsche took the overall victory with No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963, even though the drivers weren’t immediately aware of the historic triumph along with the other four cars running on the same lap after twice around the clock. Maybe the timing officials should be wearing Rolex watches. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart

Posted on 26 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We are delighted that the Deutsche Fussball Liga has recognized our investment to be independent,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Executive Board Member for Finance and IT at Porsche. “This gives us the opportunity to increase our stake to more than 10%. We want to contribute our know-how actively in order to keep developing the team successfully together with all our partners. We share a great tradition with VfB Stuttgart. Porsche is hereby strengthening its long-term commitment to the Stuttgart region, in which both of us have deep roots.” Continue reading →

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Donald Trump is a Scab – UAW Endorses President Biden

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“This November, we can stand up and elect someone who wants to stand with us and support our cause. Or we can elect someone who will divide us and fight us every step of the way,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “That’s what this choice is about. The question is, who do we want in that office to give us the best shot of winning? Of organizing. Of negotiating strong contracts. Of uniting the working class and winning our fair share once again, as our union has done so many times in our nation’s history. We need to know who’s going to sit in the most powerful seat in the world and help us win as a united working class,” said Fain. Continue reading →

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More Biden-Harris Infrastructure Projects Funded

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“With this announcement, we are advancing projects so large, complex, and ambitious that they could not get funded under the infrastructure programs that existed prior to the Biden administration,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Our INFRA and Mega programs are helping build the cathedrals of American infrastructure: truly transformative projects that will change entire regions and our entire country for the better.” Continue reading →

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GM and Honda Fuel Cell JV Starts Mass Production

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“This is a historic day for the industry as GM and Honda are the first full fuel cell system manufacturing joint venture to begin volume production of fuel cells for transportation and beyond,” said FCSM president Suheb Haq. “We begin the process with raw materials for membrane and electrode all the way through completed systems. Ongoing investment and commitment by both companies is driving our success at FCSM. This commitment aligns with our mission of making high quality, durable and affordable hydrogen fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications and customers.” Continue reading →

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DOT – Brightline West High-Speed Rail Gets $2.5B

Posted on 23 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Today, the Biden-Harris administration takes the next step to fulfill the promise of high-speed rail in the American West, with $2.5 billion in private activity bond authority to lay tracks, create jobs, and connect American cities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Continue reading →

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US Postal Service Unveils First EV Charging Stations

Posted on 22 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The improvements we need to achieve in sustainability are an integral outgrowth of the broader modernization efforts we have undertaken through our 10-year Delivering for America plan,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we transform our operating processes and invest in new automation, new technologies, and upgraded facilities and vehicles, we will generate significant efficiencies that reduce our costs, slash our carbon footprint and minimize waste. We are grateful for the support of Congress and the Biden Administration through Inflation Reduction Act funding, which helped enable the electrification in evidence here today.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Reveals STLA Large EV Platform

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our goals for our STLA platforms are ambitious but this is what our customers need from us today,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Creating a family of vehicles from a well-engineered set of components that is flexible enough to cover multiple vehicle types and propulsions, over-performing any of our current products, will address each of our iconic brands’ customers. The flexibility and agility of this platform is its hallmark and will be a driving force for our success in the shift to electrification in North America.” Continue reading →

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