Shanghai Auto Show: This Year, Guaranteed Safe For Work
And here the part you have been waiting for (especially those of our readers who suffer from Yellow Fever): This year’s round-up of the show’s product specialists. After last year’s excesses at Chinese auto shows, the calls for a more family-oriented posture show disappointing results: This year, the racy part is mostly left to the choice of cars on display.
At the Acura booth, a daring new ploy to cut through the clutter: Women in street clothes, on stage!
The market test in action: The lady that guards the Acura ZDX in subdued, but elegant attire receives little notice.
A lady in more revealing attire, demonstrating the features of the Acura SUV-X on the other hand ….
… triggers an enthusiastic response.
This lady demonstrates the features of the Chery QQ.
Geely-owned Volvo attempted to underscore its Swedish heritage. A word of warning: The blonde models at Chinese car shows usually hail from Russia.
This blonde does not resonate. The guys are more interested in the sheet metal.
At Cadillac, a completely dressed product specialist. No crowd magnet.
Eloped from a re-make of “Gone with the Wind,” this couple sells vans.
The new face of Red China.
The art of persuasion: You WILL buy this car!
Or maybe we try hypnosis?
And now, our market segmentation study. The D-segment is gaining even more importance in China.
The more attainable C-segment reaches a larger customer group.
TTAC’s cross-cultural adviser, Frau Schmitto-san, who by the way is credited with pinpointing the most capable product specialists, demonstrates the importance of the A-Class in a segment that should be a natural choice in most parts of Asia.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
More by Bertel Schmitt
Comments
Join the conversation
This year's booth professionals look sophisticated and sexy; if you're selling an aspirational brand, it's a great image to project. Oh yeah, and the pseudo-Rhett Butler needs a haircut.
Gotta love the D cup, umm, sorry segments shown here.