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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Audi, Lifestyle
The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong bought 13 Rolls-Royce Phantoms for shuttling guests around the city. The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo has purchased just one car, and will leave the guest to drive himself. That car is an R8, finished in the hotel's trademark Brewster Green, with a gold Peninsula logo outside, and cognac leather inside. To avail yourself of it -- once you've gotten to Tokyo -- you'll need to book the Peninsula Suite, which goes for the ho-hum figure of ¥850,000 per night. That $8,000 U.S. every day to burble at single-digit speeds in Tokyo traffic, although you are allowed to take it outside of Tokyo. Come to think of it, the speeds probably don't matter -- if you have that kind of money, there's a good chance you've got an R8 or better in your own garage already...
[Source: Asahi via German Car Blog]
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Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Ford
Click above for high-res gallery of the KITT Shelby GT500 KR
At age 8, I had a bed time that ranged from 8:30-9:00 PM. That time went unmodified for years, until my dad decided that I could stay up once a week to watch a new show called Knight Rider. It featured my favorite new car at the time; the Pontiac Firebird. The original KITT was black, looked fast, and had more whiz-bang features than any of Bond's Astons.
Fast forward to 2008 and blogging can keep me up to 1:00 AM or later, but my late night job has some serious benefits. I get to drive the cars of my dreams. About a week before this year's Woodward Dream Cruise, though, I had just such a vehicle drop into my lap. We got a call from Ford that a very exciting vehicle was available for the taking; a replica of the actual Ford Mustang GT500 KR that plays KITT in the upcoming television series. It's no Firebird and it certainly doesn't come from General Motors, but it just may be one of the coolest vehicles on the road today at any price. Hit the jump to read our starry-eyed rendezvous with KITT.Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Holden, Australia
Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Holden Commodore SS-V
Despite the fact that capping the cost of gas didn't work out so well for Chrysler in the U.S., General Motors' Australian arm, Holden, is launching a new incentive that guarantees gas will be 99¢/liter for two years after your vehicle's original date of purchase. The system works much like the one Chrysler used: buyers get a debit card that they use when filling up their tanks. That debit card will be tied to the purchasers bank account, which will be debited a few days later for the reduced rate, regardless of how much the fuel had actually cost. If all of this sounds a bit confusing, click here for the details from Holden. We've also pasted GM's official press release after the break.
As we mentioned, a similar promotion wasn't too successful for Chrysler. There are a few differences, though. Chrysler's vehicles aren't quite class-competitive while Holden's generally are. There were also more fuel efficient vehicles to choose from in the U.S., thereby making the gas card savings a bit irrelevant. In Australia where the V8 is still king, that's not really the case. Will this new scheme make Holden's V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicles sell quicker? We don't know... but we're positive that a similar deal could go a long way towards putting an Pontiac G8 GT in our own personal garages.
Gallery: Holden VE Commodore SS-V
[Source: Holden, Australian Car Advice]
Continue reading Holden begins 99�¢/liter fuel incentive for two years
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Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen
We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.
This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.
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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Audi
Automakers have been fleeing main-stream media faster than most new reality shows get pulled from prime-time programming. There are many reasons for the move away from big dollar media, including decreased TV viewers and online ads soaking up some of the budget, but perhaps the biggest reason is that cash isn't spewing out of SUV tailpipes any more.Audi is one company that isn't high-tailing it out of the high rent district. The German automaker won't be cutting its 2008 ad budget, and instead, will be pumping more money into big-ticket campaigns. You'll see Audi touting the A4 at events like the Academy Awards and Sunday Night Football, along with its recent spots during the Olympics and last year's Super Bowl. Audi's goal is to bust misconceptions that it is a near-luxury brand by selling its cars as bigger, faster, and more efficient than the competition.
Audi is in a huge hurry go expand to 1.5m global sales per year by 2015, and it has no intentions of letting something like a massive auto market downturn get in the way of its goals. To reach that goal, Audi will have to fare better in North America, and great products alone won't cut it if the word never gets out.
[Source: Ad Age]
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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lifestyle, Celebrities
Click above for gallery of stills from Fast and Furious 4
Could it be? Could the fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious be... as good (we use that word loosely) as the first movie? Perhaps even good enough to make us forget the installments that followed, both of which tried to shoot poison darts through our eyes and into our brains? Too early to make predictions, but for now we can certainly enjoy the trailer, which is high on action and light on dialogue -- just like we like our action films. And unlike some other action trailers, the stunts will get your blood going but don't require you to believe that Jason Statham should be shooting laser beams out of his eyes. Follow the jump for the video and The Return of the Vin. Thanks for the tip, Brodiemash!
Gallery: Fast and Furious 4
[Source: DumbDrum]
Continue reading VIDEO: Fast and Furious 4 trailer debuts
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Filed under: Coupes, Contests, Marketing/Advertising, Ford
Click above for more high resolution photos of the Mustang Bullitt
If you want to be the next critically acclaimed filmmaker, the Ford Mustang may be your ticket to an audience of millions. Ford and Filmaka.com are teaming up on a contest to see who can create the best Mustang-themed script. Would-be filmmakers can choose from one of eight Mustang stories or pick a tale of their own, then write a script about it. The people with the top 20 scripts as chosen by Ford and Filmaka.com will get a budget of $5,000 to produce their film, along with contacts at local Mustang clubs for the use of vehicles to shoot. Those 20 winners will have two weeks to submit their finished work, and nine winners and an alternate will receive an additional $5,000 in prize money. The top 10 will also get the chance to create a promo that will appear on network TV. The grand prize winner gets the opportunity to direct a film for promotional materials for the 2010 Mustang.
That's a pretty cool contest for aspiring filmmakers everywhere, but there isn't much time at all to get in on the fun. The contest ends on August 26 (today!), and the top 20 winners will need to have their initial work completed by September 16.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt
[Source: Ford]
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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lifestyle
The first Transporter was a nifty little romp. The second one was an absurd little romp. This third installment, befitting a director whose last name is Megaton, has absolutely overdosed on the outlandish. But apparently you've all spoken by making the first two profitable, and this is what you want. The plot in the third film is like John Woo redid Crank, but with a detonating bracelet and an Audi. And as much as we dig Jason Statham, if he doesn't hit the brakes soon he's on his way to becoming the pauper's Nicholas Cage. Or the rich man's Steven Segal, which might not be so bad... Follow the jump to check out the trailer. Thanks for the tip, JP!
[Source: Trailer Addict]
Continue reading VIDEO: Transporter 3 trailer debuts, could be worse than Transporter 2
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Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Special/Limited Editions
Outdoor enthusiasts and urban cowboys get some love from Ford this year in the form of the Blue Oval's first-ever Cabela FX4-edition F-Series and the latest Harley-Davidson tie-up -- the first time ever the Bar and Shield logo has appeared on the heaviest-duty F-450 model.
Apparently, Ford has found that 76-percent of F-Series buyers hunt and fish, hence the newly expanded relationship between the automaker and the outdoorsy retailer. Consisting mostly of a paint and badge job, the Cabela buyer gets his or her choice of five two-tone paint schemes: Ebony, Oxford White, Forest Green Metallic, Royal Red Metallic and Silver Metallic -- all with Sterling Grey Metallic lower accents along the rocker panels, running boards and wheel arch moldings.
For the twelfth iteration of the Harley-Davidson edition, Ford will put blue-flames along the length of the vehicle and on the black leather seats. Also included are large chromed vents just aft of the front wheels. Expect plenty of Harley logos all over the truck, though a photo has yet to appear.
Along with these two new models, the Super Duty trucks receive an optional spray-in bedliner from the factory, an integrated trailer brake controller, the new Ford Work Solutions suite, Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link and the heavy duty trucks first application of SYNC.
[Source: Ford, Pickuptrucks.com]
Continue reading Ford reveals Super Duty Cabela FX4 and Harley-Davidson F-450 models
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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, GM
Click above for high-res gallery of 2008 GM Style Event
After two years of combining celebrities, fashion and music with the best of its vehicle lineup, General Motors has decided that the 2009 GM Style Event just isn't worth the expense. The cancellation of GM Style is part of the General's goal to free up $15 billion in cuts and asset sales by 2009. Considering the automaker pays B- and C-list celebrities and sports figures to attend, there's some money on the table here. The event has actually been a big hit the past two years with attendees like Kid Rock and Jay-Z, Carmen Electra, Jeff Gordon and the some well known fashion designers from around the world. GM also used the bright lights and catwalk to show the Camaro Convertible Concept and Corvette ZR1 for the first time.
The death of GM Style comes right after the automaker decided to pull its advertising at the Emmy Awards and next year's Academy Awards broadcast. GM has been the largest advertiser of the Academy Awards over the past 10 years, with $97.1 million spent on the awards show since 1998. GM will still advertise at the Golden Globes, Grammys, and Country Music Awards in 2009.
Gallery: Detroit 2008: GM Style 2008
Gallery: Detroit Auto Show: Cars and Stars - GM Style Event
[Source: Detroit News]
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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, HUMMER, Saab, Saturn
It is no secret that the automotive industry is hurting for sales to close out 2008. Over the past few months incentives have been thrown out left and right to draw in more buyers. The deals have not done enough to bring folks into the showroom, though. With all the media talk of bleeding Detroit, consumers know that the domestic manufacturers have been holding out on their best offers. Perhaps the memory of 2005's employee pricing incentives has kept many waiting on the fence. With 2009 models heading to dealerships as we speak, General Motors is hoping to end the stalemate. It will be testing the waters of employee pricing yet again beginning Wednesday, August 20th and running through September 2nd. The employee discount program will apply across all 8 GM brands. Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers will mark down 91 percent of their inventory on all 2008 models, along with the 2009 Pontiac Vibe and G5, Chevy Cobalt and HHR and, surprisingly, the Cadillac CTS. Chevrolet dealers can unload 90 percent of their 2008 inventory with all 2008 models eligible for the employee price. Cadillac, Saturn, SAAB, Hummer will each have their own stipulations as well, but it is certain that the discount will be widespread. The price reduction varies from vehicle to vehicle, but is typically on order of a few thousand dollars. Additional incentives will also still be offered on some slower selling items, such as, you guessed it, trucks and SUVs. So the question is, will employee pricing get you off the fence and into a dealership?
[Source: GM]
Continue reading GM brings back employee pricing to sell remaining 2008 models
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Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM
A tip of the cap is due to GM for the automaker's new Chevy Silverado TV spot, which premiered this Sunday during the Olympics. The spot features brief testimonials from drivers of high-mileage pickups wearing the bowtie badge, but one stands out more than the rest. Twenty seconds in, FDNY Firefighter Craig Monahan's segment opens with a wide shot of him standing in front of the Manhattan skyline. His battered truck has melted lights and a Ladder 5 placard affixed to the bed on the driver's side. In the spot, he recounts how the damaged truck started when he reached into the singed interior and turned the ignition key, saying that it served as an isnpiration, "If that truck could keep going, then we could all keep going."
This all happened on 9/11, a fact left unsaid but tactfully implied in the commercial. Veteran New York Daily News reporter Michael Daly knows Monahan and tells the truck's full story in an excellent piece that ran in Tuesday's Daily News. Frankly, you need to go there and just read the whole thing, because Daly's account is first-rate. Reading it also underscores the level of restraint GM exercised in how it used the truck in the commercial. It's a great TV spot, but the story behind that one particular 14-second segment is more remarkable and inspirational than you'd ever guess. Firefighter Monahan agreed to let his truck be used because he felt it was important for people see it and get a feel for what it represents. Monahan was compensated by GM for his participation, but he donated that money to another FDNY family, showing that even now, that burned and battered Chevy still helps him help others. We salute him, and we hope he keeps that truck forever. Thnks for the tip, Julius!
[Source: New York Daily News]
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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising
Mainstream media has been quick to pile on Detroit automakers, which, along with some questionable Motown metal, has helped drive nationwide perception of the Big Three into the ground. Now that times are tough at traditional media outlets, well, that's Detroit's fault, too. Back in 2004, about $24 billion was doled out to television, print, and radio ads. Fast forward to 2008, and painfully slow sales coupled with cash-strapped automakers and dealerships have cut that number to about $15 billion. That's putting an Excursion-sized dent in the earnings of stalwart media companies like Viacom and Time Warner (Autoblog and Weblogs, Inc. are owned by Time Warner), as the media giants point directly towards Detroit and a soft auto market to explain their drop in revenue. While times are tough on TV, print advertising is taking the brunt of the blow. Newspapers took a $131 million hit in the first quarter of 2008 as dealers have pulled back on full and half-page ads due to slow sales and limited cash flow. The proliferation of mainstream Internet advertising is also cutting into old media's profits, as automakers feel they're getting more bang for the buck with less expensive online ads. With the car market looking worse by the day and the unabated growth of Internet advertising, we don't expect this trend to reverse itself any time soon.
[Source: New York Times]
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Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Bentley, Kia
Kia's hungry for your business, which explains the pending arrival of the Forte. The Spectra is a good car, but blends in far more than the attractively turned out Forte. It seems the Forte also has an appetite, and it's for the good stuff. Kia wants to bolster its image, so what better way than a clever commercial that infers that inside the Kia is all the goodness of a partially digested Bentley? Of course it's hyperbole, that's why it's so cool! Video embedded after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Alberto!
[Source: kia-world.net]
Continue reading VIDEO: Kia Forte eats a Bentley, yum!
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Filed under: Etc., Green, Marketing/Advertising, MINI
High fuel prices or no, MINI offers a solid entertainment-to-efficiency ratio. The neo-teeny MINI is fun to fling around, and if you can keep your boot out of the turbocharged engine in the Cooper S, you can have your fuel economy and eat it, too. To emphasize this point, MINI is launching a new campaign focused around what it calls the Carfun Footprint, and the new ad push includes its own website and new print ads and billboards with typically clever MINI taglines. If you're curious to see how your current vehicle stacks up against the MINI's Carfun quotient, head on over to carfunfootprint.com and plug in your vehicle info. Of course, you're not going to score as high as the R56, but you expected that, didn't you? At least MINI has avoided getting all preachy and kept its trademark whimsy intact. Lengthy press release after the jump.
[Source: MINI]
Continue reading Mocking the Eco-Poseury - MINI pushes the CarFun footprint
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