Thursday, February 7, 2013

2014 Toyota Tundra Will Arrive In September

 
The redesigned 2014 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck comes in SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and the all-new 1794 Edition and offers three engine choices. A 270 horsepower 4.0-liter Dual Overhead Cam V6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with uphill/downhill shift logicis is standard on the Tundra Regular and Double Cab. The available 310 horsepower 4.6-liter DOHC i-Force V8 and the 381 horsepower 5.7-liter DOHC i-Force V8 come in both gasoline and "Flex Fuel" variants and standard with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Tundras will have a new Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a standard back-up camera (viewed from the audio display screen), and standard Bluetooth. Additional standard features include a 3.5-inch multi-information display in the gauge cluster. Sales of Tundra topped 100,000 in 2012 for the first time since 2008. The redesigned 2014 Tundra will reach Toyota dealers in September.

The Tundra pickup has been the platform for the Sequoia SUV so stay tuned for the third generation Sequoia which will be its first update since 2008.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Super Bowl Car Commercials - The Rest Of The Story


KIA FORTE
The all-new 2014 Kia Forte compact sedan, scheduled to arrive in retail showrooms in late-first quarter or early second quarter, was featured in Kia's Super Bowl ad,  "Hotbots", where a futuristic robot is played by former Miss USA Alyssa Campanella.
JEEP
The Jeep and Ram Truck brands each introduced two-minute videos during Super Bowl XLVII. Jeep® brand’s two-minute spot, “Whole Again,” is a letter read by Oprah Winfrey, from the Jeep brand and the American people to the service men and women of the six branches of the armed forces.
RAM
The new Ram Truck spot, “Farmer,” was inspired by the stirring “So God Made a Farmer” tribute delivered by legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey and used as an anthem in grassroots videos created by farm families over the past three decades. The Ram Truck brand commissioned 10 noted photographers including National Geographic's William Albert Allard and documentary photographer Kurt Markus to document American farm life.

LINCOLN
Lincoln's second Super Bowl ad for the 2013 MKZ is titled “Phoenix,” and graphically showcases the new beginning of the brand with an MKZ emerging from the flames of a Lincoln Town Car. Somewhat better than their other "tweet-created" spot.

Overall winner, hoofs down, was a commercial featuring an older mode of transportation. A real tearjerker - the Budweiser spot: The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood" with Stevie Nicks "Reflections" song and a 7 day old foal, the newest member of the Clydesdales - looking for a name.


And that, my friends, is the rest of the Super Bowl commercial story.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Mercedes-Benz CLA Super Bowl Commercial - Soul

 
No shortage of A talent for the CLA in Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl commercial. Actor Willem Dafoe plays the devil who tries to get a young man to sign away his soul for the new CLA but just as he's about to, he sees the $29,900 price for the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA on a billboard across the street. The CLA will be hitting showrooms in September. The ad features supermodel Kate Upton and Usher and the powerful Rolling Stones song Sympathy for the Devil which was also in the effective teaser spot.

January 2013 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors sold 194,699 vehicles in the United States in January, up 16 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 24 percent. Fleet sales were down 2 percent.

Ford January U.S. sales were 166,501, growing 22 percent year-over-year – with retail sales up 24 percent. Gains were made across the product lineup, with cars up 34 percent, utilities up 23 percent, and trucks up 11 percent for the month.

Toyota reported monthly sales of 157,725 in January 2013, up 26.6 percent.

Chrysler reported U.S. sales of 117,731, a 16 percent increase compared with sales in January 2012 and the group's best January sales since 2008.

American Honda reported January 2013 U.S. sales of 93,626, an increase of 12.8 percent compared with January 2012. The Honda brand posted January 2013 sales of 84,137, an increase of 12.7 percent and Acura U.S. January sales of 9,489 was a 13.2 percent rise compared with January 2012.

Nissan
North America reported January U.S. sales of 80,919, up 2 percent. Nissan Division sales in January totaled 73,793, up 1.8 percent over the prior year making it the division's best January ever. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were 7,126, an increase of 4.9 percent over last January.

Hyundai
Motor America announced a new all-time record for January sales with 43,713, up 2.4 percent versus 2012. 

Kia Motors America reported an all-time record January selling 36,302 vehicles, a 2.2-percent increase over the same period in 2012. 

Volkswagen reported sales of 29,018 in January, a 6.7 percent increase over prior year sales. VW achieved 29 consecutive months of year-over-year growth and the best January since 1974. Over the last three years, VW has more than doubled its annual sales volumes. Separately, Audi reported January sales of 10,056 vehicles, a 7.5 per cent increase over the previous mark last year. The month also stands as the 25th consecutive month of record sales for Audi of America.

Subaru reported 27,663 vehicle sales for January 2013, which represents a 21 percent increase over January 2012.  These results follow four consecutive years of sales increases and more than 300,000 annual sales in 2012 – a first in company history. 

Mercedes-Benz USA reported sales of 24,059, a 10.7 percent increase over January 2012 making it the greatest year start in the company's history.  The Mercedes-Benz model line alone marked its highest January numbers with sales of 22,501, up 10.8 percent. 

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported January sales of 20,195 vehicles, an increase of 2.3 percent from the same month a year ago.

Mazda North American Operations reported January U.S. sales of 21,319 vehicles, representing a decrease of 11.2 percent versus last year.

Porsche announced record January sales of 3,358, an increase of 32 percent which follows Porsche's record-setting year in the U.S., with 35,043 vehicles sold in 2012.

American Suzuki reported January 2013 automobile sales of 1,488, just shy of the 1,505 sales reported in January 2012.  The results represent sales of remaining inventory as ASMC continues the wind-down of U.S. automobile sales. 


Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

2014 Audi A8 L TDI Starts At $83,395 In Early Spring


The first ever 2014 Audi A8 L TDI® quattro® all-wheel drive with the new 240 horsepower 3.0 liter TDI clean diesel engine starts at $83,395 (including $895 destination charge) with an EPA estimated fuel efficiency of 24 city/ 36 highway/ 28 combined mpg. The 2014 Audi A8 L TDI with 0-60 MPH time of 6.4 seconds will go on sale in early this Spring. The available Premium Package now consists of Audi side assist and pre sense rear, 22-way multi-contour comfort seats, front seat ventilation with massage and full LED headlights. The A8 L TDI, available in the long-wheelbase version only, joins the other A8 models: A8 3.0T, A8 4.0T, S8 4.0T and A8 W12.

Diesel Math
In comparison, the 2013 A8 L 3.0 TFSI® twin-turbo V8 gas engine model sells for $79,395, $4,000 less than the new TDI but it only gets 18/28 mpg vs. the 2014 A8 L TDI at 24/36 mpg. So let's say you drive 12,000 highway miles per year. With the gas engine at 28mpg using premium grade at $4.06 per gallon its costs $1,740 per year. With the TDI at 36mpg using diesel at $4.26 per gallon it costs $1,420 per year, a fuel cost saving of $320 per year. The TDI costs $4,000 more so it will take 12.5 years ($4,000/$320) to breakeven. Other TDI considerations like less maintenance cost and cleaner emissions have not been factored in.

Kia's 2013 Super Bowl Commercial - Space Babies


Where do babies come from? Kia's Super Bowl Commercial, "Space Babies" deals with a Dad's answer as the family rides in a 2014 Sorento. He explains they parachute in from a planet called Babylandia.  

Hyundai's 2013 Super Bowl Commercials - All Of Them


PRE-GAME
“Don’t Tell” is Hyundai's 30-second Super Bowl pre-game show spot featuring the all-new 7-passenger Santa Fe.

“Excited” is Hyundai's 30-second Super Bowl pre-game show spot featuring the 429 horsepower, 8-speed Genesis R-Spec racing around a track voiced by sportscaster, Gus Johnson.

“Epic PlayDate” is Hyundai’s 60-second pre-kick off commercial featuring the all-new seven-passenger Santa Fe with a soundtrack, Sun Blows Up Today, written for Hyundai by The Flaming Lips rock band.

FIRST QUARTER
"Team" Hyundai's other spot featuring the all-new 7-passenger Santa Fe and airing in the first quarter was released earlier.

SECOND QUARTER
“Stuck” is Hyundai's 30-second second quarter Super Bowl spot featuring the Sonata Turbo. The clear message is that when you're stuck behind a vehicle you need to pass, the turbo gives you the power.

CANADA SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL: "Gaspocalypse" features the Sonata Hybrid and offers an "alternate ending".

Mazda To Produce Fiat Two-Seater Sports Car In 2015

Mazda and Fiat first announced a joint venture last May, then a few weeks ago the signing of the final agreement which will see Mazda produce an open-top two-seater sports car for Fiat's Alfa Romeo brand based on the architecture of the next generation Mazda MX-5 to be built at Mazda's Hiroshima, Japan, plant starting from 2015. But what just surfaced is this photo in news release from an Illinois Mazda dealer.

Though a joint effort, Mazda and Fiat will develop two distinctly styled, brand-specific roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand. According to the agreement announcement, Mazda aims to enhance development and production efficiency and revitalize enthusiasm for open-top two-seater sports cars around the world while allowing Fiat to deliver a modern interpretation of the classic Alfa Romeo roadster utilizing the latest technical solutions, helping Alfa Romeo to achieve its stated goals by 2016.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Hyundai Santa Fe Super Bowl Ad - Team

Hyundai's 30-second in-game Super Bowl commercial running in the first quarter is called "Team" featuring the all-new seven-passenger Santa Fe where a young boy and his mom gather a team of kids from various locations to fill the seven seats..


Hyundai is launching a mobile social experience that serves as a digital companion to "Team" called "Find Your 7" allowing you to assemble your Super Bowl dream team online, assigning some of your best Facebook friends to each seat in a virtual Santa Fe. Each seat corresponds to a unique character archetype, mimicking groups of friends in the real world. By participating, you will be entered into a drawing to win seven tickets to the 2014 Super Bowl. Starting today, visit FindYour7.com and login with Facebook profile to the "Find Your 7" program.

If you're confused, the traditional 5-passenger Santa Fe is now called the Santa Fe Sport.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Toyota Rav4 Super Bowl Ad

 
The all-new RAV4, Toyota's new "Wish Granted" commercial starring Kaley Cuoco has more car in it than the teaser spot. "Wish Granted," created by Saatchi & Saatchi LA, will run during the first quarter of Sunday's game, followed by the Toyota Super Bowl Today Post-Game Show which will also include the airing of two additional new commercials highlighting the Tundra Endeavour tow and the recently-launched company direction, "Let's Go Places."  


Volkswagen Super Bowl Ad Features Beetle Turbo

 
The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo is the star of the Super Bowl commercial just released by Volkswagen. With Jimmy Cliff's Jamaican reggae warm-up spot, this ad continues that "irie mon" feeling of don't worry, be happy by being tagged the "Get Happy" spot. It has stirred some chat about white men speaking with a Jamaican accent but that's what marketing is all about. It's a positive anchor, tying Montego Bay and Negril Beach to a fun car. The commercial airs in the second quarter of the Big Game.

Lincoln Has High Hopes For Super Bowl TV Spot

 
The Lincoln Motor Company, as it's now called, will, for the first time in the brand’s history, advertise in the Super Bowl. Lincoln asked comedian Jimmy Fallon to lead the first-ever Super Bowl commercial written entirely by social media, with thousands of consumers through Twitter giving their best 140 character thoughts for a script. Fallon chose the best five contributions to create the ad that will run during the third quarter of the broadcast. All-time NFL rushing leader and three-time Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith has signed on as a brand ambassador to help Lincoln continue to put MKZ in the spotlight at the game in New Orleans.


South American alpacas (above) were brought to Southern California for the Lincoln ad shoot so I guess a lot will be riding on them, Jimmy Fallon and Emmitt Smith, not to mention Ford executives, for the launch of The Lincoln Motor Company brand and the  MKZ sedan. To view the entire 90 second video describing the making of the commercial, go to http://steerthescript.com/

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Volkswagen's pre-Super Bowl Sunny Side Video


Volkswagen's pre-game video release "Sunny Side" features reggae legend Jimmy Cliff singing The Partridge Family theme song "C'mon, Get Happy". No cars just freak-outs, meltdowns, and temper tantrums leading into happy faces from all walks of life with the tag - It's time to get happy. Watch the game day commercial.

Toyota's Super Bowl Spot - Kaley Cuoco or Rav4?

 
Toyota is hoping that 27 year old actress Kaley Cuoco gives them a big bang during the Super Bowl. Cuoco who stars in Toyota's Super Bowl game day spot is known for her roles as Penny on The Big Bang Theory, Bridget Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules and as Billie Jenkins on Charmed. The end of the ad has her in the all-new 2013 Rav4 that was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show two months ago. Toyota is calling the ad the Toyota Game Day Teaser "I Wish" Starring Kaley Cuoco. She's OK but I'm hoping for a little more car.

2014 Kia Sorento Takes The TV Ad Spotlight

 
Kia returns as a Super Bowl advertiser for the fourth straight time to show off the new 2014 Sorento that rides on an all-new platform and suspension system, and offers a new V6 engine and more passenger room as well as a new top-of-the-line trim level called the SX Limited. The 2014 Sorento will be the first Kia vehicle to offer the next generation voice-activated telematics system, UVO eServices. Kia's TV ad, "Space Babies" is scheduled to air in the fourth quarter of next Sundat's Super Bowl. Starting this Friday the ad will be seen on more than 33,000 screens nationwide as part of ScreenVision and National CineMedia’s FirstLook.

In the first spot of the Sorento’s “It has an answer for everything™” campaign, titled “Tight Space,” the father utilizes the power-folding mirrors to park in a tight space and then uses the power liftgate to exit the vehicle which impresses his wife and kids. Click on the link above to see this ad.

Subaru Goes With Dog Tested. Dog Approved Campaign

 
Subaru will air its "Dog Tested. Dog Approved" campaign to resonate with Subaru owners and like-minded consumers. Subaru says its drivers are two times more likely than the average car owner to have a pet. Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 3 and Subaru has unveiled a sneak peak of the new commercials:
    Lint Roller, Tailgate,  Let's Talk Financing On the Lot 

Subaru will also launch a new Facebook application packed with treats for dogs and dog lovers:
    Dog Matchmaker:  With the help of Grant Weber, every dog can find their perfect Subaru.  Enter the dogs breed, weight, and lifestyle and the Matchmaker will identify a fitting model for the dog.
    Ask a Dog - Live: Type in a question and Our Subaru Canine Experts will work hard to dig up the results.
    Four-Paw Drivers Club: Let your dog become a four-legged Subaru enthusiast with their own dog driver's license. Upload a photo of your dog to populate a personalized dog driver's license and share with your friends.
    Put Your Dog in a Subaru: Every dog has his or her day. Now you can help them get there faster by putting them behind the wheel of a Subaru. Upload a picture of your furry friend, put them in the driver's seat, and see where the road takes them.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Hyundai Santa Fe Featured In Four Super Bowl TV Ads


This is Hyundai's sixth consecutive year as a Super Bowl advertiser and this year has five game-day ads, including four all-new spots. Two of the new ads are slotted for the pre-game show and two are scheduled to air in-game with the all-new Santa Fe featured in three of the five Super Bowl advertisements. Sonata Turbo and 429-horsepower, 8-speed Genesis R-Spec are featured in the other two spots. The seven passenger, three row Santa Fe with a 290 horsepower 3.3-liter GDI V6 engine debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show two months ago and will hit showrooms soon..

Friday, January 25, 2013

VOTE NOW for Audi's Super Bowl TV Commercial


 Audi is letting you select the Super Bowl spot, featuring all-new 2013 Audi S6. Audi has posted three versions of its Super Bowl spot, each with a different ending, to its YouTube page allowing viewers to choose how they want the spot to end. The final spot will debut on YouTube in advance of the game and on CBS during Super Bowl XLVII in the first break after kickoff. Voting on YouTube will be open for 24 hours, and has started - closing at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time tonight - Friday, January 25.

I voted - make sure you vote at http://www.youtube.com/audiusa

Thursday, January 24, 2013

BMW and Toyota To Collaborate On Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

BMW and Toyota signed agreements aimed at long-term collaboration of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. The fuel-cell vehicle system includes a fuel cell stack and system, hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020. BMW and Toyota will collaborate on codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure, necessary for the distribution to get the public to buy into it. A mid-size sports vehicle feasibility study to define a joint platform concept, including the development of lightweight technologies, is to be completed by the end of this year. The joint effort will research the development of a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction Flashback: 1990

The first live telecast of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, was on Financial News Network in January 1990, 23 years ago. It was said to be the highest rated program in the history of FNN which, at the time was in 35 million cabled homes, and, in 1991, was acquired by CNBC. It was certainly a memorable event for me, seeing cars sell for so much, but nowhere near the prices that are fetched today.


There were many notable bidders and collectors that I interviewed during that 3-hour telecast including former Seattle Seahawks owner and Blackhawk real estate developer Ken Behring, L.A. Times Publisher Otis Chandler, former New Yankee Reggie Jackson and cartoon voice Noel Blanc (below), son of Mel Blanc, famous for voicing Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters.


Later that year, on Labor Day weekend 1990 in Auburn, Indiana, I had the opportunity to broadcast the Auburn Cord Duesenberg collector car auction on FNN. Speedvision which started in 1996 and later became Speed, now telecasts the Barrett-Jackson auctions, including this past week when the 1966 Batmobile sold for $4.6 million. Looking back, not only brings back memories, but shows how time and inflation raises prices, enthusiasm and following.