Cause marketing matters to consumers

Just a little insight I came across...
If your business or brand doesn't stand for a cause, consumers may turn to your competitors.
You can master this marketing challenge by following these 5 steps:

1. Give from the heart.
2. Choose a related cause.
3. Contribute more than dollars.
4. Formalize your affiliation.
5. Mount a marketing campaign.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27280623/

Teenagers and cars - safety 1st

Purchasing a car for a home? The likelihood that a teenager would make the decision of which car to buy is great. By the time they're sixteen, teenagers already have an idea of the vehicle they'd want their parents to purchase. There is a show called "My Sweet 16," and the gift given to the 16 yr old is always a car. The ads on tv shows the teenager how their popularity will increase driving certain luxury vehicles. A concerned parent would consider the following points when purchasing a car for a teenager:

• Avoid vehicles that encourage reckless driving (sports car) .


• Don't let your teen drive an unstable vehicle (SUVs).


• Pick a vehicle that offers good crash prtection.


• Don't let your teen drive a small vehicle.


• Avoid older vehicles.

If these simple steps are followed then rate of teenage deaths in motor vehicle crashes would be reduced. Drive safely...

The Chinese Auto Industry

One of the best-kept industry secrets revealed at Auto China 2008 was Honda's announcement of a new brand concept for the Chinese market, called Li Nian. Like Toyota’s Scion brand in North America, Li Nian will cater to young people. Li Nian is a joint venture between Honda and Chinese partner Guangzhou Automobile Group.

If an auto maker would like to unleash a new vehicle, China is the best place to get rocognition. The auto industry is very large and has a great influence on already all the marketers out there. The marketing industry in China is growing so rapidly that it has the potential to affect the whole world. Therefore, the culture in China feeds on new marketing inventions.

How did marketing to subcultures come about?

In the advertising and marketing world, newer, lesser established, smaller agencies continue to win more business and grow, while most large, established agency holding companies struggle to maintain profit margins and accounts. What could possibly be the cause?
Audiences are smaller, more fractionalized, more difficult to define, and easily distracted with choices. Marketing and media professionals, are versed with the shift of consumer culture from a passive audience of unity, to an interactive audience of plurality. A Latin phrase describes today's society;"E Pluribus Unum" to "E Una Pluribu," (from "from many come one" to "from one come many"). America have become a culture of plurality. And so they have all those sub-cultures to market to, which could make market research a bit tedious, and marketing a bit difficult to make it be attractive to the audience.

Saying Goodbye to Janesville - 2

When General Motors came out with the S.U.V., they must have felt like the luckiest auto makers in the world, for having the product that so many consumers swam to. They probably felt like nothing could go wrong since the sales were booming. Now all of a sudden, poof!!! It is all disappearing. And now another plant which help built those S.U.V.'s has to be closed down. Why? Buyers now no longer want gas hogging, environment destroying, money consuming, vehicles. Good-bye Janesville...

Saying Goodbye to Janesville - 1

General Motors celebrated the production of its 100 millionth vehicle in 1967 at its plant in Janesville. The company renovated the plant in 1990 to start building full size S.U.V.'s

Chrysler axes 5000 jobs as merger talks with GM continue

As though it isn't bad enough that GM has had to cut down on their workers, now Chrysler is doing the same. The blame has been put on the major downturn in the auto industry. It turns out that the resolution for most employees in the auto industry would be to keep their job, or find a new one. Now may seem like a much needed time for both Chrysler and GM to patch things so the future could be bright for both auto industries, and their current employees. Merger or Not...

Update: Workers at Moraine GM Plant approve Buyout

The Plant which has been scheduled to close in December has finally come up with a contract for it's former employees. The contract consists of buyouts, early retirement, and transfer rights. Workers who have been at the plant for more than 10yrs will receive $140,000., and those with less than 10yrs will receive $70,000. But when it comes to being transferred, that can only happen if and when another GM plant has an opening. Retirees will benefit from the $1.6Billion trust fund GM will contribute over the next few yrs.

Midtronics to Supply Essential Programming Tool for GM Hybrids

Midtronics has been supplying GM with batteries and electrical diagnostic and support equipment since 1998. They started with the Micro410 Digital Battery Analyzer. Now they are supplying GM with a new essential tool for 2-Mode Hybrid vehicle support. This new tool is called the SPS Programming Support Tool EL-49642. The EL-49642 SPS Programming Support Tool provides precise voltage control and clean power, eliminating potential fluctuations and spiking, or a loss of voltage which could interrupt programming and cause a controller tolock up. The main function of this tool is to act as a clean power supply during programming to avoid module failures. This is the first Hybrid essential tool program in support of the GM 2-Mode Hybrid.

GM-Chrysler: Stuck in neutral

Though there may be reasons why GM and Chrysler shouldn't merge, both companies are in "deep s%*$" and needs to revive themselves in the auto industry. GM now stands with $21billion and Chrysler $11 billion, most of which is borrowed money. Right now both automakers have to ask themselves how long will the money in hand last. Especially since there are other crisis such as declined auto sales in the industry. Therefore great funding is need for both automakers to survive in these times, and to move forward...

Truck of Texas Contest: Winner - 2009 Ford F-150

This award is like the Super Bowl in the truck industry. Today marks the sixth consecutive year that a Ford truck has won the award. Ford must be really excited to have good news to celebrate amidst the drama hitting auto industries. This may have a way of boosting up sales for the pick-up truck.

First GM Hybrid Transit Bus

In 2004, Seattle became the first city to put GM hybrid transit buses into service. On May 27th 2004, at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle, GM officially delivered the first of 235 hybrid buses to Metro Transit of King County, Washington. The hybrid has improved fuel economy, has lower emissions, has lower maintenance cost, and has quiet operation sound level equivalent to passenger cars.

Ford loses 2 Board members

John R. H. Bond and Jorma Ollila resigned from Ford today. They will be going to Europe to play their parts in their own companies, as it is growing. The two have said that they can't devote time to Ford as Ford would probably be needing them in this time. The time spoke of is about Ford responding to the rapid changes in the auto industry. Before leaving, both expressed their confidence in Ford, and believe that the company is taking the right steps to building back a profitable, solid growth plan.

Being Environmentally Friendly is in; Chrysler

Cars in the market that are selling relatively well right now are small, fuel efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles.
The lost of $431 million at the end of July, has made Chrysler a place to avoid, if you want a car that is easy on the environment. The automakers still make SUVs with V8 engines that guzzles gas. And the more fuel a car burns, the less environmentally friendly it tends to be. Thi has made Chrysler one of the dirtiest cars on the street in U.S. ...

Union to Oppose Talk of Merger

According to UWA President, Ron Gettlefinger , if the merger were to happen that would mean more job losses. And that wouldn't be a good shape for the union workers. For some the merger would be a total catastrophe. The top leader for GM Europe, Franz Klaus, was saying that a merger would only increase GM's problems and that Chrysler, whose majority owner is the private equity firm Cerberus, has nothing that GM needs.
“Combining two people with bad feet does not create a marathon runner,” Franz said. “And with Cerberus there would be a third sick person on board.”

More GM plants to be Terminated

General Motors is once again shutting down plants, leaving approximately 1,300 people unemployed. How long will this go on? The plant registered to be shut is a stamping plant near Grand Rapids. Yet again GM talks of buy-outs, early retirements, and re-location to other GM facilities. The fact still remains that there will be some more people left to fend for themselves no matter the deals GM has proposed. Well it seems for as long as the markets for certain vehicles, especially SUVs, will be shrinking, employees at GM plants have to fear the worst from now on.

http://wluctv6.com/news/story.aspx?id=206181

Possible Merger of The Big Three???

General Motors, Chrysler and Ford may be talking a deal for merging the top three auto manufacturers. Will it be a good move for any of the corporations?
Well sales from since the gas price went up and the present economy crisis, hasn't exactly been in the favor of any of the big 3. Both GM and Chrysler suffered losses in September. Ford and GM hasn't been doing great for atleast the past 4yrs. They both need capital.
If GM and Chrysler were to merge global sales would probably go sky high for GM. That would mean they'd be over Japan's Motors sale. If merger takes place I hope that all 3 corp. will still bring forth their best to be recognised individually. If not, from what i read, there may be more pitfalls they have to face. Good Luck Guys! They surely need it now.

General Motors Retirees Lose Company Health Care Coverage, Will Receive $300 Monthly To Purchase Coverage

Last year General Motors spent $3.3 billion on retiree health coverage. As a result of the crisis going on now, GM is looking to reduce its spending habits. Therefore some 100,000 workers will feel its wrath. But kindly, GM will add $300 to their monthly pension checks. Provision has been made for the workers to enroll in medicare one month earlier than the enrollment period.

GM Certified Used Vehicles Marks Sale of 3 Millionth Vehicle with Celebration at Voss Chevrolet

General Motors has hit another milestone. The GM certified used vehicle manufacturer is the only one who has sold 3 million vehicles. The manufacturer opened its doors in 1997. Lucky vehicle which made the 3 millionth sale was a silver 2008 Chevrolet Impala LS Flex-Fuel model purchased at Voss Chevrolet. Other models in the program are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac. Even though they are showing signs of much needed help, General Motors is proving to be a corporation with a firm head on its shoulder proven to outshine the other auto manufacturers. This could mean for GM that what goes down must come up, and surely time will tell. There infact may be a turnaround and luck could be on their side...

Quotes from Glenngarry Glenn Ross

Link to view Glenngarry Glenn Ross sales meeting:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCcKIkMp8Y
Blake: These are the new leads. These are the Glengarry leads. And to you they're gold, and you don't get them. Why? Because to give them to you would be throwing them away. They're for closers.
Blake: We're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize? [Holds up prize] Blake: Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired.
Blake: Your name is "you're wanting", and you can't play the man's game, you can't close them, and then tell your wife your troubles. 'Cause only one thing counts in this world: get them to sign on the line which is dotted. You hear me you fuckin' faggots?
Blake: A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.
Ricky Roma: They say that it was so hot in the city today, grown men were walking up to cops on street corners begging them to shoot.
Dave Moss: We don't gotta sit here and listen to this. Blake: You CERTAINLY don't pal, 'cause the good news is - you're fired.
Blake: Put. That coffee. Down. [pause] Blake: Coffee's for closers only.
[after learning that the Lingk sale has been filed] Ricky Roma: You filed it, that puts me over the fuckin' top, I want my Cadillac. I don't wanna hear no fuckin' shit and I don't give a shit. Lingk puts me over the top. You filed it, it went downtown, now you owe me the car.
Williamson: The leads are coming! Shelley Levene: Get 'em to me! Williamson: I talked to Mitch and Murray an hour ago. They're coming in, you understand. They're a bit upset about this morning's... Shelley Levene: Did yo tell 'em about my sale? Williamson: How could I tell them about your sale? I don't even have a teleph - I'll tell them about your sale when they bring in the leads, all right? Shelley, all right? You closed a deal. Fine. You made a good sale, fine. Shelley Levene: It's better than a good sale. It's... Williamson: Look, I have a lot on my mind right now. They're coming in, all right? They're very upset, I'm trying to make some sense... Shelley Levene: I'm telling you - the one thing you can tell them is that it's a remarkable sale. Williamson: The only thing 'remarkable' about it is who you made it to. Shelley Levene: What the FUCK does that mean? Williamson: That if the sale sticks, it'll be a miracle. Shelley Levene: What does that mean? Why would it not... Oh, fuck you. You do not know your job. That's what I'm saying. You do not know your job. That's what I'm saying. A man IS his job and you are fucked at yours.
Ricky Roma: WHAT YOU'RE HIRED FOR, is to help us... does that seem clear to you? TO HELP US, not to... FUCK-US-UP... to help those who are going out there to try to earn a living... You fairy. You company man.
Dave Moss: You got the memory of a fucking fly.
Blake: And to answer you question, pal, why am I here? I came here because Mitch and Murray asked me to. They asked me for a favor. I said the real favor, follow my advice and fire your fucking ass because a loser is a loser.
Ricky Roma: You never open your mouth until you know what the shot is.
Blake: You call yourself a salesman, you son of a bitch?
Blake: You want to know what it takes to sell real estate? It takes BRASS BALLS to sell real estate.
Ricky Roma: You stupid fucking cunt. You, Williamson, I'm talking to you, shithead. You just cost me $6,000. Six thousand dollars, and one Cadillac. That's right. What are you going to do about it? What are you going to do about it, asshole? You're fucking shit. Where did you learn your trade, you stupid fucking cunt, you idiot? Who ever told you that you could work with men? Oh, I'm gonna have your job, shithead.
Williamson: You've got a big mouth... now I'm gonna show you an even bigger one.
Shelley Levene: Williamson! Williamson! Put me on the board! Put me on the Cadillac board!
Blake: A-I-D-A. Attention, Interest, Decision, Action. Attention - Do I have you attention? Interest - Are you interested? I know you are, because it's fuck or walk. You close or you hit the bricks. Decision - Have you made your decision for Christ? And Action.
Blake: A-I-D-A. Get out there - you got the prospects coming in. You think they came in to get out of the rain? A guy don't walk on the lot lest he wants to buy. They're sitting out there waiting to give you their money. Are you gonna take it? Are you man enough to take it?
Ricky Roma: I subscribe to the law of contrary public opinion... If everyone thinks one thing, then I say, bet the other way...

Louisiana: GM workers eligible for grant funds

Looks like things are actually looking on the upside for employees who were laid off , when General Motors plant eliminated the second shift. The $1million grant will help the unemployed in seeking new ways to find other job placements. This is a good plan for the former GM employees in Louisiana.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/NEWS05/81008022

Detroit Headquarters needs Refinancing

GM moved into the Renaissance Center, which has seven interconnected towers with many restaurants and a hotel, in 1996 and had been leasing it until May, when it purchased the building for $625 million.

The month of September has surely been a downturn for GM. Sales for that month went down a whooping 17.6 percent which is more than the 12.8 percent drop the industry faced on a whole. The financial status of GM doesn't look good at this moment. They have been closing plants and releasing employees. What will GM do, now that it has hit home? -- The Renaissance Center.

The headquarters in Detroit needs financing. GM is willing to do anything possible to help save "home." Even if that means selling and releasing the building. Hope GM pulls through this tough time and that help needed is given. There is "No Place Like Home." Save GM's headquarters!!!

Source:http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4968A620081007

GM Lordstown schedules overtime for remainder of 2008 & GM to shut Ohio SUV plant 2 years ahead of plan

While employees at the Lordstown complex are getting ready to add onto their hours for the General Motors Chevrolet Cobalt's sales, other employees from Ohio,Moraine plant, are getting ready to say good-bye sooner than the anticipated.

The new year has consumers shifting to more fuel efficient vehicles, which is why the demand for the Chevrolet Cobalt on the market is high. Therefore, the bigger vehicles are being kicked to the curb.

To the employees of the Moraine plant, I hope that whatever incentives or buyout that General Motors is planning to give them will definitely put a band-aid on the 2yrs advance unemployment butts they are going to have to deal with starting in December.

So long Trailblazers, GMC Envoy, etc...

Chevrolets are rarely seen on the streets

Chevrolets are rarely seen on the streets of Paris. But General Motors (GM) has chosen the Paris Motor Show, which opens to the public on Oct. 4, to launch one of the most important new Chevy models in years.
The Cruze, a compact sedan set to go on sale in Europe next March and in the U.S. in 2010, will be Chevrolet’s first global small car. With its sleek, arched roofline and high-tech interior, “it’s one of the global Chevrolet products that are the future of where this brand is going to be,” says Wayne Brannon, Chevy’s European chief.
GM has been trying for several years to establish Chevrolet as its main global brand. Unlike rivals Toyota (TM) and Honda (HMC), GM has a balkanized brand portfolio—with Chevy dominant in the U.S., Opel in Europe, and Buick in China. After taking over South Korea’s Daewoo in 2002, GM rebranded some of its models and now sells them under the Chevrolet name in Asia and Europe.(...)
http://www.igeneralcar.info/2008/10/04/chevrolets-are-rarely-seen-on-the-streets/

Advertising and Persuasion

"Advertising is a vicious circle of clutter." A clutter that many AD agencies out there are trying to break through. And how do they intend to do that? By persuading consumers to a product, an idea, etc. But a battle has began since consumers are surely not making it easy for the ad managers. Consumers are like "roaches," becoming immune to the ads. One of the ways many advertisers are approaching the situation is through a channel called "emotional branding," in which they intend for the consumers to have an emotional, or even spiritual bond with a brand. This method of marketing approach began in the early 1990sIt was for the consumers to see beyond what the product did, to what it meant. To see more of how AD agencies are losing consumers and the efforts they're making to persuade consumers, watch the link below.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/

GM doesn't rule out more restructuring

General Motors Corp. said it can't rule out the need for more restructuring if the economic crisis worsens and said it was vital that U.S. lawmakers pass a financial bailout to shore up confidence in the economy.
"We'll take the actions that are necessary," Fritz Henderson, the automaker's chief operating officer, told The Associated Press in an interview at the Paris Motor Show on Thursday.
"If the situation deteriorates further, we'll have to look at further actions, but we don't have anything planned today," he said.

GM, once the largest U.S. employer, marked its 100th anniversary last month facing an unprecedented crisis in its storied history as the slumping U.S. auto market has forced GM to close factories and shed workers.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/10/02/ap5502177.html

GM Canada September 2008 Sales Results

OSHAWA, ONTARIO, Oct 01, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- For September 2008, General Motors of Canada dealers delivered 31,053 units as the company moved to increase its inventories of smaller cars which remain in high demand.
"Consumers continued the trend of purchasing more fuel efficient small cars and crossovers in September," said Marc Comeau, GM of Canada's vice-president of sales, service, and marketing. "GM sells more cars than any other automaker in Canada and our inventory levels have improved this month as a result of our move to add a shift of production to meet the surge in demand for popular cars like the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5."

September Sales Highlights
- GMs small car line-up is performing well with combined sales for the Chevrolet Aveo and Pontiac Wave up a combined 5.5% calendar year to date and Chevrolet Cobalt/ and Pontiac G5 up a combined 7.3% for the same period.
- Pontiac Vibe continues the momentum from its launch, up 127.6% for the month
- Chevrolet Malibu sales remain strong, up 39.3% in September.
- Cadillac CTS, Motor Trend Car of the Year, posted gains of 11.5% for the month.
- GM's crossover utilities remain strong with the Buick Enclave up 36.1% for the month.
- Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra extended cab pick ups, with Active Fuel Management fuel saving technology, are up a combined 17.2%.