Archive for the ‘Shoppers’ Category

Kia is poised to conquer—in reputation, reach, and market share—this year, in a very significant way. And it could bring a better dealership experience.

As a host of other automakers and brands are holding back, Kia has shifted into high gear with several very significant introductions: the 2010 Kia Soul earlier this year, the 2010 Kia Forte this summer, followed by the 2010 Kia Forte Koup, and an all-new Sorento this fall. There’s a new Sportage expected soon as well.

If the sheer numbers are any indication, the focus on product is working; the brand’s overall year-to-year sales are down less than any brand other than Subaru, and its...

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has rolled out a national ad campaign relying, quite simply, on the cuteness of kids.

The print ads depict adorable tykes (or rugrats) discussing how their lives have improved since mommy and daddy bought a new car and rely on sweet-as-sugar but oh-so-transparent tag lines including:

"My mommy says we're gettin' a new car for free!"

"We get to buy more video games 'cuz my dad got this car."

"We got a new car and Mommy says now we don't gotta pay taxes!"

"My dad says he just stoled this truck!"

As those phrases hint, the new print, TV, radio, and Internet effort highlights the tax break that...

How do you think about your car? Is it less "you" in these tougher times?

That seemed to be the intent of a survey of 1000 U.S. adults—not necessarily car owners or shoppers—conducted nearly a month ago by Ipsos Public Affairs for the used-car giant CarMax, asking the following: “Thinking about your car, would you say that it…”

Respondents were then given seven responses to choose from, with the opportunity to select multiple responses. An overwhelming 71 percent of respondents replied that a car “gets me from point A to point B,” and 30 percent said that a car “has to do it all without breaking the bank.”

Of particular note in this survey...