For decades, automotive marketing and car dealership marketing often happened via broadcast television. But in an age of decreasing reliance on traditional media, depending on TV ads for dealership messaging is a losing strategy. This is especially so over the long term, as the younger generation often watches no broadcast TV at all. Car dealerships … Read more
Economy cars have a mixed reputation. In the past, they were widely stigmatized as small, boring, and slow vehicles. That perception still persists somewhat, but fluctuating gas prices, environmental worries, and—most importantly—improvements to economy cars have come together to significantly increase the appeal of these vehicles. Today, economy cars are a practical choice for many … Read more
One of the perennial favorites of both automotive industry insiders and consumers is the acclaimed ‘best-of list. These lists are a valuable way to catch the eye of car shoppers early in the consideration phase and direct their attention to stand-out vehicles. Indeed, many car shoppers rely heavily on best-of lists to make their purchasing … Read more
In 2013, the Chevrolet SS sedan was released in what Chevy enthusiasts widely regarded as the best color that General Motors ever offered: Perfect Blue. To some, it was an understated hue that managed to stand out while still being tasteful. It was, well, perfect. Unfortunately, the general public disagreed, and the majority of SS … Read more
Dealers have used video effectively for decades. Commercials from local dealerships were mainstays of local television stations well into the twenty-first century. With the advent of streaming media, however, online car dealerships have struggled to turn an unprecedented audience of potential buyers into customers. Today’s car buyers overwhelmingly start the shopping process – not as … Read more
For many car shoppers, car reviews and image galleries spark a deep interest in a particular vehicle. Sometimes, they even become convinced that they have found The One based on articles and images alone. Once they get a chance to drive the car, however, these same shoppers may find that the real-life experience falls short … Read more
Quirky, offbeat advertisements for car insurance have been a TV staple for over twenty years. Reticent lizards and an unreservedly cheerful woman in white are now a natural part of our cultural landscape. However, while these adverts succeed in entertaining their audience, the adverts themselves have little to do with cars. In fact, vehicles rarely … Read more
Last year was hard for automakers and dealerships. Although sales topped 17 million vehicles in 2019, this number still represented a decline compared to 2018. With this lead-up, the year 2020 was already shaping up to be challenging for the auto industry. Then came coronavirus, transforming daily life and significantly affecting the economy. This pandemic … Read more