Cadillac’s found their new punch line, and they’re hoping we all get it.
After months of brainstorming since the new U.S. marketing chief Joel Ewanick arrived on the Cadillac scene this May, the company has begun to use its new slogan in advertisements – “the new Standard of the World.”
Cadillac, known as a luxury brand, has began to cater to the rest of us. The company began to offer a 24-month lease, and sales have skyrocketed – Cadillac reports a 50% increase in their numbers since last August. Some companies may frown upon this “normalizing” of a luxury brand, claiming that it will destroy the prestige built over the company’s life. However, in a time where Americans are struggling to pay the bills and wondering what’s next, Cadillac is wise to soften their branding and open up a lease option for those who need it.
Auto Shippers thinks it’s refreshing for a car brand to maneuver expectations a bit in order to serve the consumer’s needs. We can’t wait to see what Cadillac may think of next.
Image is paramount in car sales, as folks at Volkswagen have found out over the years. The German-based company that dominated to the 1970’s car market has slid to the back of the car race since then, with suggestions being made more and more frequently to pull the brand out of the United States. Word of mouth has not been improved for the company by the constant change of presidents in the U.S. sector – many took the chance to leave VW as soon as another opportunity was offered. Jonathon Browning, the new president of the U.S.’s sector, has plans to change all of this.
The company plans to increase their sales by major numbers, projecting 2018 to be the year they meet their goal. Browning cites the Audi sector of the company to be a large part in their comeback. Hoping to replace Toyota in the top four car brands, Browning says, “I’d much rather be in the starting lineup than sitting on the sidelines.” Auto Shippers would like to see Volkswagen thrive, and wishes Browning good luck on his lofty venture.
Nissan has reason to celebrate the end of summer.
As fall approaches, the Japanese auto giant “inaugurated a new factory” (according the Detroit Free Press) in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou. Reportedly, the new factory will almost double the production in China by 2012. China is fast becoming the world’s biggest vehicle market – largely due to the families that can now afford a car as the Chinese economy booms. Numbers will go from 670,000 to 1.2 million in production capacity within the next two years.
This move reflects Chinese market growth. From last August to the end of this summer, passenger car sales rose by 18% – a remarkable number for any one specific market. Experts believe this number will continue to rise as the Chinese population continues to build personal wealth and accumulate expendable income.
Auto Shippers would like to congratulate Nissan’s growth, and looks forward to watch as Nissan grows even stronger.
As the economy is still a bit in the pits, automotive companies are discovering new ways to get consumers excited about their products. The Smart fortwo car, owned by the Penske Automotive Group, is one of the companies who have taken to the streets to show people what they are missing.
The Smart fortwo is about five feet high and less eleven feet wide – not the ideal size for the typical “bigger is better” ideal of the American consumer. But Smart fortwo offers a different kind of convenience, such as the ability to tightly maneuver through city streets.
With Jill Lajdziak on board as Smart’s new marketing guru, Smart is tackling new ways to be introduced to the American public. Aside from Internet marketing like banner ads that were previously never used by Smart, the company is literally taking to the streets with the Smart fortwo. Allowing pedestrians to sit in the car and experience all it has to offer will surely opens eyes and minds to the benefits of the Smart car brand. Auto Shippers wishes the Smart brand good luck in this promotional journey.
Consumers look for many things when purchasing a car – safety being priority, no matter what model the car may be. Car companies know this, and recall cars when there is a part that may cause unnecessary injury. This may seem like a hassle to some, but important for the owner to do so regardless. General Motors will be recalling over 20,000 of the Cadillac CTS and CTS-V models due a safety issue.
According to an article with the Detroit Free Press, General Motors will be replacing a glove compartment box free of charge to Cadillac owners. If the car is involved in a crash, the glove compartment may cause leg injuries. The recall will include over 15,000 2010 models as well. General Motors announced they will begin notifying Cadillac Owners at the end of October.
Auto Shippers encourages all those who own these models to comply with the recall – your safety is important to us.
