Joe Kyriakoza, VP, Marketing Communications & Insights
The compact segment has seen its share of ups and downs in the past few years. When gas prices were above $4 in the summer of 2008, interest in compact vehicles — or anything that consumed less fuel — was thriving and improved sales of these vehicles followed. In fact, Polk recently confirmed that the subcompact category (or "lower small") more than doubled from 2005 to 2008 as a result of sales of vehicles like the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit.
Ford took its digital media prowess to another level when it unveiled the 2011 Explorer exclusively on Facebook, a first for a vehicle reveal, which traditionally occurs at auto shows or major industry events.
Twenty years ago this month James "Buster" Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Tyson's loss to Douglas was the first blemish on his otherwise impeccable resume. That unexpected event in sports is what the current Toyota situation is reminiscent of.
The truth behind vehicle incentives is that they don't differ much in terms of the end goal — which is to create the perception that the manufacturer is discounting the cost of the vehicle.
When hybrids were first introduced to consumers earlier this decade confusion was abundant. Why should I pay more for a car that might not perform as well as a standard fuel-powered vehicle?
I dropped the kids off at school this morning and could feel the change in the air. Smiles were everywhere despite the rain-threatening skies, and the blustery wind lashing the last of the leaves from the trees; it was as if the illumination of the morning was coming from the ground rather than the sky.
This is a brand that has managed to gain 39% market share during the worst automotive climate in decades, remained profitable, and drove tremendous awareness and consideration of its brand.