Question of the Week : culture|garage

Question of the Week

March 3, 2008

Posted by Jim

Tags: advertising, arts|culture, entertainment, wait, what?

Do you remember Joe Isuzu? What about Cal Worthington? Have you driven a Ford lately, or experienced Pontiac Excitement? If you answered any of the questions above in the affirmative or not, this week’s question is for you.

Marketing and cars seem to go together like bread and butter. The push to get people to buy a certain vehicle is ever present, from the name of the car, to the marketing campaign, all the way to gimmicks and promotions that never fail to delight…or do they? The question of the week is: Does marketing compel you to buy, or at least investigate certain vehicles?

Tell us all about it! If you bought a Scion, for instance, did their quirky television ads call your attention to the brand? What about the Mini? Did the sheer brilliance of some of the promotions associated with that car make you sit up and take notice? Or were you spurred into the showrooms by memories of Paddy Hopkirk and his famed doghouse?

For example, I am repelled by the local Colorado guys, “Dealin’ Doug” (above) and “Shagman” from local ~~pot lot~~ dealership Rocky’s Autos(below). Their “old-fashioned” huckster nonsense is enough to scream at me “Stay away! Stay away!”

What say you?

via: JavelinAMX.com, The Pontiac Trans Am Page, Colorado Springs Dodge

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5 Responses to “Question of the Week”

Chris Says:
March 4th, 2008 at 2:08 am

I probably shouldn’t answer this as I am a bit bias.
bryan Says:
March 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

I’m the worst example of marketing’s effects on buying decisions. No. Auto ads have not, ever, influenced my purchasing decisions. Sorry Chris. I’m too analytical for most advertising to affect me.
Jeff Says:
March 4th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

The funny thing is, you probably picked one of the least repulsive Rocky’s auto commercials ever made. Sadly, they built their own studio to make those commercials.

The local, low-budget commercials rarely do anything but make me laugh (at them, not with them). Really, Any car commercials do little to affect my decision, but I still do appreciate a well made commercial, een if it’s for a car I’ll never buy.
blix Says:
March 4th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

i hate ford’s advertising so much. i think in the past 15 years, i’ve only seen one ford commercial that was decent. advertising wouldn’t convince or turn me off from a car - i rely on other data to make up my mind - but it does leave an impression. and i’m one of those few people who are silently pushing for ford to make a comeback. i like the brand, that’s why i’m so annoyed at how terrible its advertising choices have been.
Peter Says:
March 4th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

Being an automotive entusiast, I feel like I have my mind made up on most vehicles before I ever see an advertisment. Marketing on occasion will make me investigate a vehicle, but never “sell” me on one. I do enjoy the truely witty ads though as well, e.g. Audi’s jab at Lexus: “The luxury car for people who can park themselves”