U.S. SEC probes VW 'Voltswagen' marketing stunt, report says

The stunt, which came just ahead of April Fool’s Day, was meant to call attention to its electric vehicle efforts, the carmaker said.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3aLYhtm
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Stellantis consolidates advertising account with Publicis

The automaker, which formed earlier this year with the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot, spent $4.2 billion on worldwide advertising last year.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3vmkENM
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Dealers truly get away from it all

Marketing company Digital Air Strike took clients on a getaway to Branson's Necker Island, where strict COVID-19 protocols allowed them to relax and trade advice mask-free.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2RSVqbp
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Tesla apologizes as anxiety grows after driver protest

The government and social media blowback stemmed from an embarrassing incident Tesla faced on Monday at the Shanghai Auto Show. An angry protester climbed on top of one of its display vehicles shouting that her car’s brakes had lost control.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3gmWQ8o
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Tesla apologizes as anxiety grows in China after driver protest

The government blowback appeared to stem from an embarrassing incident Tesla faced on Monday at the Shanghai Auto Show. An angry protester climbed on top of one of its display vehicles shouting that her car’s brakes had lost control.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3aoNqp0
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

To win customers, promote your experiences, not just your vehicles

To think like a disrupter, dealerships should ask themselves how they're promoting the convenient customer experiences they may have built.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3tBlHJs
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Tesla disquiet in China mounts after driver protest in Shanghai

The government blowback appeared to stem from an embarrassing incident Tesla faced on Monday at the Shanghai Auto Show. An angry protester climbed on top of one of its display vehicles shouting that her car’s brakes had lost control.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2P4Fj9H
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Nissan's 600-hp hamburger helper

In Japan, toy versions the of storied sports car are now being marketed as freebies in McDonald's Happy Meals.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3ecOHkj
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Filmmaker Chris Paine on who killed the EV1

An early adopter of the vehicle has been monumental in telling the story -- or, to some, just one version of the story -- of the EV1.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3ecic5x
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Honda taps H.E.R. for return of Civic Tour concert series, but must overcome livestream fatigue

H.E.R. will perform at the April 28 event hosted on Live Nation's Twitch channel as the automaker seeks to build buzz for the 2022 Civic.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2OSmmHk
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Honda taps H.E.R. for the return of its Civic Tour concert series, but must overcome livestream fatigue

H.E.R. will perform at the April 28 event hosted on Live Nation's Twitch channel as the automaker seeks to build buzz for the 2022 Civic.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3uOhXEp
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Off-road course for Broncos? Not in my backyard

A Vermont ski resort that planned to host one of four Ford Bronco "Off-Roadeo" driving schools around the U.S. backed out last week after an outcry from nearby residents.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3dTHCot
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Pandemic adds resonance to Garff effort

The health crisis canceled plans to pack employees into movie theaters to watch slick promotional videos, turning the effort into a largely digital affair instead, but it didn't diminish the campaign's scope.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3gfJWsX
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Blind racer gets Cruise support, but he'll drive

The automated driving company is sponsoring Dan Parker's attempt to set a world speed record as a way to promote the potential for AV technology to help visually impaired people get around more easily.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3t9rcPm
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Shelby GT350 gets its one shining moment

Out of an all-GT Final Four, the 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 emerged as the winner of Ford's version of March Madness.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3mM27HS
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Ad process evolves with pandemic

It was a hectic year on the marketing front, with agencies and automakers having to adjust to stunted travel, stringent testing and smaller crews on sets.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/327jJUU
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Toyota sticks with Pinterest for minivan push

The agencies the automaker hired for the campaign had a goal: Tell influencers' stories on the social media platform to quash the idea that only "soccer moms" drive minivans.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3fZk0By
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

In digital age, dealers feel pressured to self-promote

Vroom made waves with its Super Bowl ad, a "hyperbolic" take on the dealership experience. Some say franchised retailers need to do better at promoting their own convenient experiences.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2OIcFuY
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

GMC to cover Hummer floorplan costs

GMC's Duncan Aldred said the brand is still developing its long-term EV distribution strategy, but covering floorplan costs will be key.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/39XXxRn
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

AutoNation buys naming rights to Miami soccer stadium

AutoNation and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF club have inked a three-year partnership that includes stadium naming rights, branding rights and more.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2PThstX
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Ford's Big Red lives — parked in a garage

The nearly 100-foot-long experimental gas-turbine semitruck created for the 1964 World's Fair was located, fully restored, after nearly 40 years out of public view.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/2R5VDI2
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

‘Voltswagen' April Fools' gag far from funny

Some argue that the hurt feelings of a few journalists and investors is a small price to pay for getting the name of a brand with a 2 percent market share into the mainstream media. Time will tell.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3dDfJkk
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Why VW went all-in on ‘Voltswagen' ruse

At some point internally, top management decided that the risk of misleading reporters and the public — again — was worth the potential reward. And they might be right.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3mjAVji
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Hummer EV, Bronco raise big money

The first production versions of the two high-profile trucks brought in a combined $3.6 million for charity.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3dtJpQY
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Keogh stands behind ‘Voltswagen' marketing prank

Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, spoke with Automotive News Publisher Jason Stein for the "Daily Drive" podcast after the Voltswagen gag.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3wlhRWu
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT

Sending handwritten notes with a twist

Schomp Automotive Group is one of about 100 dealerships to use Handwrytten, a company that sends out personalized letters using pen-wielding robots.

from Section Page News - Automotive News https://ift.tt/3fBGkRA
via https://ifttt.com/ IFTTT