#Branding
Land Rover Dumps Alphabet Soup For Evoque-ative Nameplate
Ask The Best And Brightest: Does GM Need A Manhattan Flagship Salon?
What's Wrong With This Picture: Alfa's SUV Plans Parody Themselves Edition
Happy 100th Birthday, Alfa Romeo
Futurama 2010: Shanghai
This video, of the presentation at GM-SAIC’s 2010 Shanghai Expo pavilion, is not the newest video to hit the web (nor, necessarily, the most exciting), but it’s definitely worth a peek. The world of the future, as imagined by the automaker, is a classical leitmotiv of the industry, and its changes over the years can often reveal deep truths. Granted, this particular show is aimed at the international and Chinese audiences, but the contrast to footage of Futuramas past couldn’t be more stark. See for yourself, after the jump.
Dodge's Second To Last Stand: The "Man Van"
The Wall Street Journal [sub] asked several Chrysler dealers about the newest hotness being developed in Auburn Hills, and came away with the tales of a “man van” that Chrysler hopes will lend the Dodge Caravan some masculine swagger. According to the WSJ, this re-man-ification of the minivan includes:
a slightly sportier look on the outside, possibly finished off with a black-and-gray interior trimmed with hot-colored stitching on the seats and steering wheel
Oh yes, and some “edgy” ads laden with tired cliches of sexual politics. In short, they’re sending the 2008 “Caravan R/T” concept into production. But why?
Buick Going Global?
After North America and China, we have other markets in our sights. Buick has no plans for Europe at this moment, but that could change.
GM’s Jim Federico spills possible plans for a Buick expansion to Auto Motor und Sport.
Quote Of The Day: PeaPod Pisses Off Edition
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People really viewed the Peapod as an incredible case study in how you could – in modern times – bring forward a completely new idea in the automotive sector in the space of just several months. It was pretty phenomenal
Remember the PeaPod? It was “the new wave car for the younger set” masterminded by former Chrysler “Chief Innovation Officer” Peter Arnell, during the chaotic “try anything” years of Cerberus ownership. It was supposed to start going on sale last October, but the division (formerly known as GEM) was spun out of new Chrysler during bankruptcy and hasn’t been heard from since. Surprised?
What's Wrong With This Picture: We All Knew This Would Happen Someday Edition
Via dinosaursandrobots.com come pictures of what may be the most predictable conversion ever… and it looks like this particular Kia owner went the full Amanti with it.
Daimler's Dream: "The Best Or Nothing"
Chevy Versus Chevrolet: An (Official) Explanation
So, this was all about new markets where the Chevrolet brand is relatively unknown. In other words, the markets where consumers are just as likely to call their Chevrolet a “ChevWoo” or “Daewoo” as a “Chevy.” The reality is that nothing hurts the Chevrolet brand abroad more than the continued existence of the Daewoo brand… by comparison the use of a familiar nickname is a minor issue. And what is going to be easier for a non-English-speaker to say, Chevrolet or Chevy? Anyway, based on the harried, apologetic tone in this video, it’s pretty clear that GM would rather this controversy had never started. So why did the new ad boys feel like dropping “Chevy” was so important?
Jeep Grand Cherokee "Manifesto"
Chrysler Group didn’t shy away from the political overtones with its first ad for its first new product since bankruptcy. In fact, this spot, titled “Manifesto” is more political porn than anything else. Instead of selling America on the simple fantasy of outdoor escape, Jeep is selling the biggest fantasy of all: a real revival in American manufacturing. “Fear not, brave citizens,” it seems to be saying, “globalization isn’t actually wreaking havoc on your manufacturing base. The statistics are lies. Now buy this SUV.”
Otherwise, it’s quite a well-made ad.
Porsche To MINI: Thanks But No Thanks
It appears that MINI’s challenge to Porsche won’t play out at the racetrack. The following letter [via MotorAuthority] is Porsche USA’s Detlev Von Platen’s response to MINI’s Jim McDowell.
Dear Jim,
Imagine our surprise to discover our former employee, now the head of Mini, has challenged us to a head-to-head race. As you surely know, Porsche has a long history of racing success, with more than 28,000 wins over the last 60 years. In our early days, we pitted ourselves against the giants, so we’ve been in your shoes.
But as you also know, Porsche doesn’t race for fame, stunts or publicity. We race to challenge ourselves; we race to push sports car technology; we race to translate every win on the track to our cars on the road. If you need a reminder of our intent, please take a look at this short video: http://tinyurl.com/37xdjqx
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