For the week beginning May 24, 2004
"3-D Mailers Show Volvo Group's New Dimensions." This article discusses a 3-dimensional direct mail campaign to investment analysts, government leaders and journalists to rebrand Volvo Group as a leader in the commercial transportation solutions market. DMNEWS.COM, May 21, 2004, pp. 1-2.
http://www.dmnews.com
"Carmakers Rev Up Web Ads: Spending Jumps In Effort To Target, Lure Specific Groups." This article discusses how automakers are using various Internet sites to advertise to target markets. DETNEWS.COM, April 21, 2004, pp. 1-2.
http://www.detnews.com
"Automakers Seek Targeted TiVo Ads: Extended Sales Pitch Would Be Offered As Option." The ability to fast forward through commercials using DVRs has disrupted automakers' advertising strategies. TiVo, the largest maker of digital video recorders, is working with car companies to combat this problem by offering targeted ads to their subscribers. AUTONEWS.COM, May 3, 2004, pp. 1-3.
http://www.autonews.com
"The Big Three Fear That Toyota Is Becoming The Big One." Toyota Motor Corp. may not be the worlds' largest automaker, based on sales, but its momentum in growth is causing the big three automakers, General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG, to take notice. NYTIMES.COM, May 20, 2004, pp. 1-3.
http://www.nytimes.com
"So Many Nameplates�" In the United States, automakers are selling over 267 nameplates, which create a distinct marketing challenge. This article highlights different strategies in automotive marketing to combat this issue. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, May 17, 2004, pp. 1-3.
http://www.autonews.com
"High Cost Of SUV Ownership Doesn't Stop At The Pump." The cost of gasoline is not the only expensive aspect of owning a sport utility vehicle. Parking, repair expenses and lax maintenance also contribute to make SUVs costlier than owning a car or smaller truck. USA TODAY, May 21, 2004, p. 1B. And, "Five-Year Vehicle Costs," which is a chart comparing fuel costs and repair and maintenance costs between Dodge, Ford and Toyota's large car and SUV brands, p. 1B.
For the week beginning May 17, 2004
"Hybrid Mileage Comes Up Short." Owners of hybrid cars are complaining that the gas mileage has not come close to well-advertised estimates. WIRED.COM, May 11, 2004, pp. 1-4.
http://www.wired.com
"Muscle Still A Must In Guys' Wheels." Men still dominate the auto industry as buyers in many key segments, including full-size pickups and sports cars. This article discusses how some automakers are gearing their marketing messages to men. ADVERTISING AGE, May 4, 2004, p. S16, which follows page 26.
"Hyundai: Kissing Clunkers Goodbye." A five-year focus on quality has sent customer satisfaction soaring. BUSINESS WEEK, May 17, 2004, p. 45.
"How To Capitalize On The $458 Billion Potential Of The Latino Market." This article includes many statistics regarding the Latino market. It also includes research tips on how to get insights on this rapidly growing market. Direct marketing is an excellent way to reach Latino consumers, according to a recent study by Simmons Market Research. ISSUES & ANSWERS IN SALES MANAGEMENT, May 17, 2004, pp. 1-2.
"Hey Grads: Don't Let Your Car Own You." Automakers are wooing recent college graduates with generous cash rebates, deferred payment plans and no-down-payment programs. This article offers advice on how first-time car buyers should approach their big purchase. SMARTMONEY.COM, May 6, 2004, pp. 1-3.
http://www.smartmoney.com
For the week beginning May 10, 2004
"Marketing To The Joystick Nation." The Chrysler group is using video games to draw young people to its brand. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 12, 2004, p. 22D, which follows page 22.
"Toyota Tries Again To Lure Men Under 30." Toyota is talking to advertising agencies about an estimated $10 million marketing campaign to lure young men to its brand. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 12, 2004, p. 30D, which follows page 22.
"Rescue Workers Prepare For Challenges Of Hybrid Car Accidents." For rescuers at accident scenes, hybrid vehicles represent a new danger: a network of high-voltage circuitry that may require precise cutting to save a trapped victim. DETNEWS.COM, May 4, 2004, pp. 1-2.
http://www.detnews.com
"Hispanic-Focused Ad Spending Slowing Growing As Hispanic Consumers Ask For More." MARKETING TO THE EMERGING MAJORITIES, May 2004, pp. 1-2.
"Car Dealers Put On The Ritz To Lure Buyers: Showrooms Vie To Win The Loyalty Of Customers." DETNEWS.COM, April 21, 2004, pp. 1-2.
http://www.detnews.com
"Toyota Steers Solara Ragtop Toward Women." Toyota is marketing its second-generation Solara to women. Women accounted for nearly 60% of Solara convertible sales last year. Toyota is relying on that demographic to boost sagging sales of the new model. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 12, 2004, p. 30B, which follows page 22.
For the week beginning May 3, 2004
"The Only Way Into The Fast Lane." This article takes a look at the tactics various carmakers are using to attract buyers by the millions and, at the same time, control their rapidly rising advertising costs. AMERICAN DEMOGRAPHICS, April 2004, pp. 34-39.
"Hyundai Surges In Quality Rankings." Hyundai Motor Co. beat out Toyota Motor Corp., Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the latest survey of new-car quality by market-research firm J.D. Power and Associates. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, April 29, 2004, p. D4. See Also: "Japanese Cars Lose Ground On Quality: Hyundai Bypasses Toyota." This article discusses the latest J.D. Power and Associates survey of new car quality. USA TODAY, April 29, 2004, p. 3B, and, "Car Quality Rankings," which is a chart ranking the top 10 and worst brands of cars by the amount of customer- reported problems within the first 90 days of ownership, p. 3B.
"More Died On Roads In 2003: Climb Comes As Miles Driven Rises." The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of traffic deaths rose in 2003, partly due to the spike in deaths in SUVs and motorcycles. USA TODAY, April 29, 2004, p. 2B.
"Gentlemen, Start Your Hybrids." Ford, Honda and Toyota are all betting on hybrids, which combine an electric motor with a conventional engine. But the other big players -- General Motors, Chrysler and Nissan -- aren't quite so enamored and plan limited hybrid rollouts. BUSINESS WEEK, April 26, 2004, pp. 45-46.
"Greener SUVs Coming Soon." Toyota, Ford and Lexus are planning gas-electric hybrid SUVs by the 2005 model year. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h will feature a V6 engine that can run on gasoline or electricity. MEDICAL ECONOMICS, April 23, 2004, p. 16.
"Satellite Radio Firms Aim For Stratosphere As In-Car Sales Grow." Satellite radio is the biggest thing in cars since power windows. INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, May 3, 2004, p. A4.
For the week beginning April 26, 2004
"Better Web Sites Steer Saab, Chrysler Closer To Customers." INTERNET RETAILER, April 2004, p. 7.
"U.S. Lease Rates Show Signs Of Life: GM, Ford Expected To Lead Comeback After 4-Year Decline.� AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 5, 2004, p. 17.
"New York Auto Show: Showcase For The Elite." Luxury and premium brands are being highlighted at the New York Auto show. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 5, 2004, p. 1. And, "Brand-By-Brand Preview," p. 22; "Acura�s New Flagship," p. 49.
"Automakers Mix It Up Chasing Young Buyers." Carmakers are using music, reality TV and race cars to lure Gen Y online and into showrooms and events. ADVERTISING AGE, April 19, 2004, p. 4.
"Toyota, Lexus, Honda Top The List of Sales Per Dealership For 5th Year." This article includes a chart comparing U.S. new-car and light-truck sales per dealership, 2003 vs. 2002. AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, April 5, 2004, p. 16.
"Hybrid Vehicles Gain Popularity Among Americans." THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, April 22, 2004, p. D4. And, "Go Green," which lists the top 20 states for hybrid vehicle registrations in 2003, p. D4.