New-vehicle buyers are increasingly likely to avoid specific models due to price or gas mileage, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Avoider Study released today. The study, now in its sixth year, examines the reasons consumers fail to consider particular models when shopping for new vehicles. The 2008 study ... Read More »

Consumers who use the Internet to shop for their new vehicles report lower satisfaction levels with their new-vehicle sales process than consumers who do not use the Web, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study. Sales satisfaction scores average 851 points (on a 1,000-point ... Read More »

The L.A. Auto Show is now the next victim of the collective cost cutting chainsaw by the Detroit 3.  GM has scrapped its news conference, its vehicle debuts and kept its product Czar Bob Lutz at home.  Chrysler has canceled all vehicle debuts and left the onus on their already struggling dealers to foot the bill ... Read More »

It’s no secret that the automotive industry has been reducing its advertising spending – from its peak in 2004,  spending is down in almost all categories except for online.

Source: Marketing Pilgrim
That decrease has accelerated dramatically in 2008 with the implosion of automotive ... Read More »

How should dealers respond to online leads?  “Faster” is one common answer – the 2008 Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services Study (DSOBS) reports that the median time to respond to a lead is 45 minutes.  While faster is generally better, it’s almost worthless if shoppers ... Read More »

J.D. Power and Associates has named Acura and Mazda as the 2008 Automotive Online Marketers of the Year. The awards were presented to the respective organizations last week after being announced on October 8 at the J.D. Power Automotive Internet Marketing Roundtable in Las Vegas. The Online Marketer of the Year award is ... Read More »

Automotive manufacturers have been experimenting with mobile marketing for years.  As further proof that 2008 may [finally] be “the year of mobile,” Acura, Kia, Land Rover, and Volkswagen have launched their own mobile brand sites over the past year to join incumbent Mazda. All five provide basic vehicle ... Read More »

We just wrapped up almost 3 days of speakers, panel discussions, meetings, networking, and parties at the J.D Power and Associates Automotive Internet Roundtable.  If you were one of the 800 people who joined us, we hope that we met or exceeded your expectations and that you'll join us again next year.  If you ... Read More »

Panelists: Eric Jillard, Mercedes-Benz; Scott Kelly, Ford; Erich Marx, Nissan; Ed Vogt, GM; Rachel Richards, Sonic; Cassie Broemmer, Van Tuyl; Dave Metter, Mile One; Brent Hillyer, Ron Tonkin Dealerships Growth in new sites, video, consumer-generated content (CGC) Social is where the next opportunity is for everyone. GM ... Read More »

In-Text and In-Banner Video Advertising Panelists: Michael Hayes, Initiative Media; DeLu Jackson, Subaru; Chuck Sullivan, Chrysler Online video advertising is currently a small portion of many online ad budgets but it is a rapidly growing area.  New vehicle shoppers are online and advertisers need to engage these ... Read More »