Auto Industry in the News
The experts have spoken, and the redesigned 2014 Cadillac CTS is Motor Trend Car of the Year. Cadillac dealers and automotive advertising firms who service them are rejoicing.
To be eligible for the Car of the Year achievement, a vehicle must be completely new or substantially upgraded. Once a car’s eligibility is verified, it is put through a stringent test to measure its braking, acceleration and handling capabilities.
A new GM Automotive Advertising Campaign to promote its 2014 pickups, the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado, will be announced in the coming months. General Motors estimates $3 to $4 billion has been invested to redesign the these pickups, their engines, and many factory options. This latest design shift is considered perhaps the most important product launch since GM was restructured in 2009.
Toyota outsells, #2 ranked GM and #3 ranked Volkswagen in the first quarter of 2013.
For the fifth straight quarter in a row, Toyota outsold all other automakers. Bloomberg news reports that the depreciation of the yen sharpened the edge over GM and Volkswagen and that worldwide sales achieved 2.43 million units in the first quarter, as compared to GM’s 2.36 million units and VW’s 2.27 million units sold.
Every so often one comes across an individual that makes one take notice. The honorable Mike Kelly (Congressman, (R) 3rdPA) is one of them. Plain spoken, not one to mince words, Mike Kelly is a voice of both reason and passion. One might not agree with everything he says, but if you are an auto maker, dealer, sales associate, parts supplier, mechanic or other affiliated automotive professional, you’ve got a true friend in congress; as he said at the beginning of his remarks, any time I get a chance to talk to a car guy, I’m available.
We had the opportunity to interview Rep. Kelly on Friday, Sept. 21, via phone. The House had just recessed, representatives were eager to get back to their home districts. With elections only weeks away, nonetheless, congressman Kelly took the time to speak to his fellow automotive professionals.
JKR client, Columbus Kia Autosport, [Georgia] wanted to do something significant and newsworthy to celebrate and promote their new location. In addition to special pricing and deals they gave away $1000 a day for forty-five days for a total of $45,000. In addition to paid advertising, the event was also given consideration as a news item known as earned media, the holy grail of promotion being that it is free. Whenever you do something that might catch an editors eye, send out a press release to the newspapers, radio and TV stations in your immediate market. Make sure there is more than the promotional message. In the example below, you’ll see how the dealer covers all the bases; a significant prize tied to civic pride.
