Automotive News - January 21, 2008 - (Page 49)

JANUARY 21, 2008 • 49 Super Bowl auto advertisers get pre-game jitters Mary Connelly mconnelly@crain.com Super spots These automotive advertisers are scheduled to run commercials during the telecast of the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. General Motors Toyota Hyundai Audi Cars.com brand also are scheduled to run commercials during the game. A 60-second commercial in the Two weeks before the Super Bowl — and the commercial extravaganza during the game telecast — General Motors’ advertising plans are in flux. GM initially said it would air a 60second commercial for Chevrolet during the NFL championship game’s second quarter. But GM spokeswoman Ryndee Carney said last week that GM now is looking at an in-game commercial that features a hybrid vehicle from Chevrolet, Saturn or GMC. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor America affirmed its decision to advertise during the game for the first time. Earlier last week, Hyundai said it was thinking of scrapping that plan because of the slowing economy. The automaker has scheduled two 30-second commercials during the game’s second half. Hyundai spokesman Chris Hosford declined to describe the commercials. Super Bowl XLII will be broadcast on Fox on Sunday, Feb. 3. Fox is charging as much as $2.7 million for 30 seconds of ad time. game’s first quarter will advertise the new Audi R8 sports car. The commercial will invoke the classic movie The Godfather, said Audi spokesman Andrew Lipman. “Audi is coming out with a concept of new luxury,” Lipman said. “There is a power struggle of old regime versus new regime in The Godfather that links to old luxury versus new luxury.” Lipman said Audi will launch www.truthinengineering.com Feb. 3. The Web site will include the Super Bowl commercial and behind-thescenes footage of its creation. The automaker also will operate an Audi Forum in Scottsdale, Ariz., near the Super Bowl site. From Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, Audi will promote the brand to celebrities, media and other guests, Lipman said. Toyota takes two Toyota will air two commercials during the game. One will advertise the Sequoia SUV, continuing a marketing launch that began last week. Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight said the Super Bowl spot will be in line with the launch campaign. “We don’t create something specifically for the Super Bowl,” she said. Knight said Toyota will feature the Corolla car in its other commercial. She would not discuss the content of that commercial. The vehicle-shopping Web site Cars.com also is a first-time Super Bowl advertiser. It will air two 30-second commercials, one at the end of the first quarter and the other in the third quarter. The commercials will have the tag line “Confidence Comes Standard.” Cars.com spokesman Steve Nolan said the commercials use humor to show what could happen to dealership customers who lack the research the Web site provides. c The secret to success Location. Location. Location. Chevy or not? Carney said GM will base its decision about the hybrid commercial on the availability of dealer inventory. She said Cadillac will advertise during the Super Bowl post-game show and Chevrolet during the pre-game show. Audi of America and the Toyota obituaries Ben Russo VERO BEACH, Fla. — Ben Russo, who founded Dependable Dodge Inc. here in 1964, died here Oct. 26. He was 82. Clifford Schmillen LOS ANGELES — Clifford Schmillen, who led Honda’s U.S. sales and marketing during the early 1980s, died here Jan. 6. He was 86. Schmillen began his career with Honda in 1964 as a motorcycle sales representative. He moved into management positions in sales and advertising for Honda’s motorcycle sales division before being named national auto sales manager in 1974. Schmillen was named to American Honda Motor Co.’s board of directors in 1980 and was promoted to senior vice president of automotive sales in 1982. He was named executive vice president in 1986. He retired in 1990. Introducing the Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator. TM Zoombak is bringing family safety to a new level. Your customers simply set a safety zone online, then they can be promptly alerted by text message and email when their car is stolen. Zoombak is also perfect for families who want to know the real-time location of a car being used by a teen or Ted Smith MEQUON, Wis. — Former A.O. Smith Corp. CEO Ted Smith died in suburban Milwaukee on Dec. 3 at age 87. Smith joined the Milwaukee manufacturer, which was founded by his great grandfather, in 1942. He was elected vice president and a director in 1945 and president in 1951. Smith was CEO from 1967 until his retirement in 1983. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he oversaw the company’s move from passenger-car frame assemblies into light trucks. senior driver, providing peace of mind and safety for the entire family. Zoombak can be permanently installed in a car or can be kept portable and used in other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or boats. Zoombak — it helps parents ﬁnd their vehicle and, more importantly, their loved ones inside. The Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator is sure to drive sales. Start stocking up today. To learn about being a Zoombak retailer, email sales@zoombak.com. Putting Safety On The Map ™ Activation and use of Zoombak locators are subject to Zoombak’s customer agreement, plans, terms and conditions. Zoombak A-GPS locators use satellite signals and wireless network coverage to determine and communicate location information. Coverage isn’t available everywhere and often not available indoors. See www.zoombak.com for coverage map and details. Zoombak locator has a long-life battery which lasts up to 5 days on standby before recharging. Battery life depends on several factors, including frequency of use and location requests. © 2008 Zoombak. All rights reserved. Zoombak is a trademark of Zoombak, LLC. http://Cars.com http://Cars.com http://www.truthinengineering.com http://Cars.com http://www.zoombak.com http://www.zoombak.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 21, 2008

Campi will move fast to buy global Ford rolls out new F series — but will it stay No. 1? GM will push metro megastores BMW: We may need a 'green' brand Competition claims traditions German summit Toyota: We have enough plants for now Chinese pitch innovation, not just price Mercedes in, Cadillac out as sponsor of Masters golf tournament Auto show walkaround: Chasing the YIPS around Detroit New Acura TSX will get a diesel Toyota: We'll crack 35-mpg CAFE before 2020 Audi predicts 1 million global sales in 2008 Toyota crosses over into tricky segment LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Digital edition is a 'quantum leap' KEITH CRAIN: Here they come, ready or not EDITORIAL: Incentives war isn't the answer to sales downturn LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Toyota over Chevy? Don’t be too sure DIGITAL EDITION: You did your homework Chrysler concepts show brand tweaks Chrysler: 'Hemi is not powertrain of the future' Some of what we heard at the Detroit auto show Corvette has a future — but maybe a lighter, greener one Nissan exec: Cube is coming to America Subaru relies on new Forester Farley: Ford must groom the market Ford still funds Jag, Land Rover product development Ford will probably develop its new rwd cars in the U.S. Volvo considers North American production Good design: Solving problems, making a statement Horbury wants a more aerodynamic F-150 Hyundai upgrades next Sonata's interior M-B could build C class in U.S. VW hints at vehicles for new N.A. plant Customer demand for CTS sedans strains production capabilities at Cadillac GM to test ZR1 carbon fiber weight savings Honda Pilot has more room, power Indiana plant will boost Honda's flexibility Zetsche sees 20% diesel mix for Mercedes-Benz GM hopes to have E-Flex test vehicles ready by June GM to increase Enclave output Cadillac aims high with Provoq Pontiac to launch G8 marketing in March Big-truck sales fall 43.5% in Dec. Personnel Buckle up for a rocky '08, economists warn Canada sales up 2.4% in '07 Gioia: Ford hybrids will be profitable by year end American Honda opens workplace diversity office Dealers From CDs to Sync: Auto industry races to adapt in-car IT trends Microsoft exec sees a car as 'another room in the house' China's Geely plans plant in Mexico Chrysler exec: China exporters need time Murtaugh: Nissan deal won't affect Chrysler-Chery venture Strike by writers makes TV iffy for auto marketers Super Bowl auto advertisers get pre-game jitters Final Say GM bumps buyout total to 46,000 GM considers U.S.-made Astra Good Karma: Mean, green, fighting machine Purves confirms it: The end is near Rehab for designers: A change can do you good Tata's achievement: Redefining 'cheap' Fans remember auto commercials with sports themes Which brand is stronger — Scion or Prius? Engine advances bring cleaner emissions a step closer Suppliers to the 2008 Ford Focus Varable compression ratio makes a comeback Change the engine's stroke Integrate components to boost efficiency Reduce the size of the engine Eliminate the cams and count the savings ZF expects surge in new orders American Axle's rising son may be another Dauch Honda taps Web for workers Trelleborg unit adds tech center Kia restricts hiring at Ga. plant to Web applicants Magna pursues Ogihara Supplier personnel Age of intelligent transportation is getting closer Plastic spoiler saves weight Automotive News' cartoonist looks at 2007 8 will enter European Automotive Hall of Fame Pininfarina lifted family business to new heights Merciless cost cutter Calvet rescued PSA Opel boys turned bicycle venture into automaker Giacosa fathered the Fiat 500 JCI to supply batteries to Chinese automakers Automakers will spend more on digital ads Ford snares star role in return of 'Knight Rider' GM Certified markets online to Hispanics Writers' strike could benefit auto marketers

Automotive News - January 21, 2008

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