Great idea, but not for the Tahoe

 

Chevrolet has had a great idea, let the customers produce the ads (see wired article).  They just chose the wrong car, a SUV / truck.  They could have done it with a compact car or a small car, like the European Corsa, but not with a monster, a car from the jurassic age.

But how should a company which relies on trucks for their income understand how to use the Internet media for their purposes?

Smart logic for colours

I like the Smart ForTwo, I really do. But I don’t get the colour-equipment relation. Why isn’t it possible to order a Smart ForTwo in “Passion” trim (Luxury) with “stream green” body panels? “Stream green” is only available with the “sporty” version called “Pulse”.

Another example: by paying twice as much for the Brabus compared to the basic “pure” version, you are getting less than half the choice of colours, silver or black for the Brabus instead of white, black, red, blue, grey and black.

That’s what I call artificial marketing restrictions.

Truly automental

Unfortunately continental Europe never got the taste of the Vauxhall/Holden Monaro or Pontiac GTO, the Aussie version of n affordable musclecar, although there were plans for a launch (as Opel or Chevrolet Monaro). The small and German manufacturer Bitter used it as a base for his new car and unfortunately also had to scrap the idea of producing it.

Winterkorn: Difficult to get so many things wrong in so little time.

The latest news from the VW Group in the last month or so are quite worrying. It almost looks like much of what was gained over the last 20 years will be reverted or endangered… in only a few months. Sales were up this year and results in general were improving. In the last years, Pischetrieder’s team and project had gained the credibility from all. Still a lot of work to be done to be where the company should be, but things were on track.

All Pavement Parkers (APPs)

The wannabee SUVs, aren’t they dreadful?  Ahmm, no actually I mostly like them.  Of course they aren’t made for off road purposes (although the Panda is pretty good at it -see the video) but how many perfectly capable offroadies have actually seen any wildlife?  Exactly.  And these ruggedized vehicles are ideal for urban bumper action and they look sexier than their siblings.  Some even find them more comfortable, because the seating position is even higher and more convient.  You don’t like them and I send the ladies in their Panda Cross, Cross Polo, Cross Golf plus, Cross Touran after you.  ‘Cause it’s mostly the ladies who buy those urban streetfighters… despite the best effort of Tom Ford to tempt the blokes.  And Tom is a great addition to the 5th Gear presenters.