Marketing/Advertising auto news

Video: China chastizes Beijing Motor Show over scantily clad models

Our post on China's "Tiger mom" phenomenon was illustrated with that above picture; it's the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Design Concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, accompanied by a booth professional. The model - her, not the Jeep - made a fair few friends in the Autoblog Comments section, but it turns out she and her kind attracted the ire of the Chinese authorities.

The Capital Ethics Development Office gave the Beijing show organizers a caning because the "scantily clad" models had "a negative social impact," and the show was warned not to let "such vulgar publicity" occur again. There's a lot of room between that leather bustier and a burqa, however, so all's not lost for next year's show in Shanghai.

Scroll down to watch the Bloomberg video on the matter.

Continue reading China chastizes Beijing Motor Show over scantily clad models

Report: Ford and GM in Twitterfight over Facebook advertising?

Frenemies Ford and General Motors have taken to cyberspace for a little verbal sparing, trading snarky shots this week over which company is more likeable on Facebook.

GM set itself up Tuesday after news broke that the carmaker decided not to spend $10 million on Facebook advertising the same week the social media juggernaut prepares for its initial public offering expected to raise $100 billion dollars.

Ford used the opportunity to tweak its crosstown rival, tweeting: "It's all about the execution. Our Facebook ads are effective when strategically combined with engaging content & innovation."

GM couldn't leave that alone, going onto its Facebook page, "Just wanted to let our millions of Facebook fans know, we're still here, and we 'like' you back!"

Both carmakers will continue to use Facebook, where both have millions of followers of their brands and vehicles. And, really, they are both right.

Ford has done an extremely good job incorporating Facebook into its marketing strategy. When it came time to launch the new Ford Explorer, it did it through Facebook reaching millions of people.

GM has determined its money will be better spent in other areas. A recent Associated Press-CNBC poll showing more than half of all Facebook users never click on sponsored ads and only 12 percent said they felt comfortable to buy anything over Facebook. Google, The Wall Street Journal points out, is much more effective.

Motorsports: Guy Fieri to drive Corvette ZR1 pace car in Indy 500

Guy's an admitted car fan, and he should feel at home in the ZR1; he owns seven Chevrolet models that span the decades from 1968 to 2011, and a Cadillac Escalade ESV. He'll be pacing the field in the 638-horsepower special edition Arctic White coupe on Sunday, May 27 at noon EST.

Report: GM says Facebook ads not effective, pulls campaign ahead of IPO

The Internets are buzzing over the upcoming initial public offering of Facebook, but General Motors doesn't seem all that impressed. The Huffington Post reports that The General has pulled its Facebook ad campaigns just days before the social media site is scheduled to officially hit the stock market.

The pricey ad buy reportedly wasn't paying sufficient dividends for GM, which spends billions of dollars on advertising every year. GM Spokesperson Pat Morrissey confirmed that Facebook was being reassessed, but added that the automaker routinely reviews where it is spending its ad dollars. Morrissey then added that GM is looking for effectiveness when it doles out marketing cash, which doesn't bode well for Facebook's ability to draw clicks.

If GM's decision sounds at all irrational, the statistics seem to show that Facebook isn't exactly an ad-click magnet. A recent CNBC poll showed that 50 percent of all Facebook users never click on any ads, and only 12 percent of those polled feel comfortable purchasing anything through Facebook. Google appears to be more effective at attracting clicks, as The Wall Street Journal cites a click-rate that is seven times that of Facebook.

Regardless of GM's decision to break up with Facebook, we're guessing that the news probably won't drown out much of the anticipation for the IPO. After all, it isn't every day that an Internet site with 900 million mostly addicted users goes public.

Video: Buick begins airing Marisa Miller Enclave ad

Not long ago, Buick released the behind-the-scenes video of its Enclave commercial with Marisa Miller, and now the supermodel's 30-second spot has begun airing. Note: This is a spot for the current Enclave, not the refreshed 2013 model the debuted during April's New York Auto Show.

The Sports Illustrated staple and lingerie model might just be the first person ever to wear a swimsuit in a Buick ad. We could say more about it, but that would delay you from watching Ms. Miller and the Enclave in action. So just scroll down and check out the video, why don't you.

Continue reading Buick begins airing Marisa Miller Enclave ad

Official: Mazda and SCRAMP extend Laguna Seca partnership

Mazda and the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula have extended the automaker's naming rights of Laguna Seca for another five years. That means the famous race track in California will continue to be known as Mazda Raceway, at least through 2016. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors ratified the agreement.

The Japanese manufacturer has been instrumental in updating and improving Laguna Seca to make the facility more convenient and safer than before. Mazda helped fund additions like permanent pit lane garages and luxury hospitality suites as well as additional runoff areas on the track itself. Mazda first partnered up with SCRAMP in 2001, but the company says its ties to the track go all the way back to the '70s, when the brand was little-known here the States. Scroll down below for the full press release.

Continue reading Mazda and SCRAMP extend Laguna Seca partnership

Video: BMW plays tag with its new M135i

The BMW M135i is still doing development laps, but that hasn't stopped BMW from getting prospective buyers ready for it. In a 1:44 promo called "It!", two adults play the kiddies' favorite game in the hot hatches through the container-box lanes of an empty port at night.

If you're dead-set against the car then this probably won't make you like it, but this does lay down the first promotional marker in the 1,000-horsepower M135i/Mercedes-Benz A25 AMG/Audi RS3. battle. Take a look below to watch.

Continue reading BMW plays tag with its new M135i

Opinion: The case of Heather Peters and the Honda Civic Hybrid sets an alarming trend

This week's Superior Court verdict suggests there's little to no recourse for consumers.

In overruling the lower court, Superior Court Judge Dudley W. Gray II wrote that, "Federal regulations control the fuel economy ratings posted on vehicles and advertising claims related to those fuel economy ratings."

Well, um, no. That was my understanding, too, until I had the chance to pursue the matter with the EPA a couple years back. In fact, I was told, the law simply sets an upper limit. If the tests determine a new model gets 50 mpg - as with Peters' Civic Hybrid - that's the most a maker can advertise or use on the Monroney window sticker. But should a manufacturer like Honda realize through its own tests that the vehicle's real-world mileage might be noticeably less they can mark it down to whatever they think is valid.

Of course, who would do that? With mileage now one of the top things on the consumer's shopping list, who can blame a manufacturer for wanting to put the prettiest lipstick on a gas hog. And this week's Superior Court verdict suggests there's little to no recourse for consumers who only discover that fact after they've given it a big smooch.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading The case of Heather Peters and the Honda Civic Hybrid sets an alarming trend

Video: What kind of baboons would do this to a Hyundai i30 hatchback?

Baboons are curious creatures. And, thanks to their opposable thumbs, they are rather excellent at satiating that curiosity, no matter what impediments stand in their way. Apparently, that includes door handles.

Hyundai decided there was no better way to test the durability of its i30 hatchback (that's the Elantra GT here in the States) than to send it into Knowsley Safari Park, near Liverpool in the UK. Specifically, into the Baboon habitat.

As you'll see in the video after the break, the primates do their very best to rip the little hatchback to shreds, biting every surface, jumping up and down and from door to door and generally mucking about. How does the Hyundai cope with this kind of abuse? Scroll down below to find out yourself.

Continue reading What kind of baboons would do this to a Hyundai i30 hatchback?

Video: Patrick Long has the best morning commute ever

One of the benefits of being a Porsche factory driver is that you get to get coffee for Hurley Haywood. And if you're Le Mans winner Patrick Long, according to this little spot for the Porsche Sport Driving School, you get do it from behind the wheel of a 911 GT3 and on a damp, drift-ready track.

But since Patrick Long apparently lives under a bridge, we'd like to know where he puts the troll and if he lets the three billy goats gruff pass whenever they want. And where he gets his coffee. Have a look below to see the video.

Continue reading Patrick Long has the best morning commute ever