Karl on Cars
Talk Back Tuesday
September 23, 2008
If I see or hear one more ad that only lists highway milage I'm going to dump a barrel of oil in the offending automaker's lobby.
The fuel mileage claims being touted by every vehicle manufacturer have threatened to redefine the term "false advertising." It's frustrating because, technically, the claims aren't false, they just aren't true -- if you know what I mean.
For instance, when automaker ABC claims they have XX models that get over 30 mpg is that highway mileage or mixed mileage? And does every version of a model get over 30 mpg, or just one version (maybe even one version they rarely stock at dealerships)?
To inject some semblance of reality into this fantasy land I asked the crack Edmunds.com data department for a simple calculation: What percentage of each automaker's product line-up is rated at 30 mpg or better on the freeway?
Because some 2009 models aren't out yet we decided to use the 2008 model year as our starting point. And to qualify as a "model that gets 30 mpg or better on the freeway" only one version of the model had to attain that mpg. Here's what we found:
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- Karl Brauer September 23, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Talk Back Tuesday Fuel Efficient
September 16, 2008
About a year ago I commented on the fate of traditional manual transmissions, and basically predicted their complete demise in the next few years. I'm not happy about that prediction, but 11 months later I stand by my statement, as I see nothing to stop the imminent death of three-pedal cars.
Another comment I made in that post related to the lack of flexibility offered by F1-style (or automated clutch) transmissions that are rapidly replacing both traditional manual transmissions as well as conventional automatics. This statement springs from the notion that when the driver fully controls the clutch he also controls how much clutch is or isn't utilized. This can come in handy in situations where the "on-off" nature of automated clutch transmissions are a liability.
For instance, if you get a vehicle into a situation where it is sliding (on public roads or at a race track) you may be able to save it by slightly disengaging the clutch and allowing the drive wheels to regain traction. There are a million variables at work here, and I'm certainly not suggesting traditional clutches will keep drivers from ever crashing. But having this level of control over the clutch is simply another tool at your disposal with a manual transmission; a tool you don't have with F1 transmissions.
After driving our long-term Nissan GT-R I discovered yet anonther option I don't have with automated clutches, and as this list of "can't-do-that-with-paddle-shifters" builds my enthusiasm for F1 transmissions falters.
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- Karl Brauer September 16, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Driving, Talk Back Tuesday
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- F1 Transmission Automated Clutch Manual
September 9, 2008
As pointed out by one KoC reader (thanks maxwell3), an op-ed piece in Sunday's New York Times has taken what seems to be a pretty logical position on the subject of automobile accidents and speeding. Essentially, Mr. Sepkowitz feels that too many people die every year in automobile accidents (a reasonable declaration), and he attributes one-third of these deaths to speeding.
His solution is pretty straightfoward: "...quit building cars that can exceed the speed limit."
As Mr. Sepkowitz points out, "Most cars can travel over 100 miles an hour -- an illegal speed in every state."
Can't argue with that. Is the solution as simple as limiting every car's top speed to the legal limits? Umm...no. Actually the holes in Mr. Sepkowitz "logic" could sink the Titanic, but I'll try to cover them all before Kate and Leo are floating on wreckage.
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- Karl Brauer September 9, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Driving, Talk Back Tuesday, Traffic Safety
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- Talk Back Tuesday Speed Kills Traffic Accidents Fatalities
September 2, 2008
If you think Lamborghinis are nothing but non-renewable-resource-sucking status mobiles you probably don't care about yet another one being bashed and burned beyond recognition. And if you think Lamborghini drivers are nothing but self-centered, over-moneyed cads you probably don't care about one meeting the same fate as his car.
Ever since "Dietrich" (aka Stefan Eriksson) balled up a Ferrari Enzo on PCH in February of 2006 the image of the spoiled rich guy with more money than brains has pervaded the national consciousness. Certainly there were wealthy guys wrecking expensive cars before Eriksson, but the value of that particular car (a million dollars-plus), along with the colorful (and criminal) background of the driver seemed to represent all the worst aspects of exotic car owners.
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- Karl Brauer September 2, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Ferrari, Lamborghini, Talk Back Tuesday, Traffic Safety
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- Talk Back Tuesday Lamborghini Crash Kill
August 19, 2008
Last Friday's post about "Car Guys versus Posers" brought up some interesting points regarding what does -- and doesn't -- count toward car-guy status. I think everyone has their own opinions on this topic, but I'm willing to put mine into self-test form to help you determine your car-guy credentials.
With this test I'll try to take every aspect of car guy-ness into account (i.e. while I'm not personally into modern motorsports I won't discount that as a viable aspect of being a car guy). And while it would be easy for such a post to degenerate into a series of cathartic chides against said posers, I'll avoid that...for the most part.
And to state the painfully obvious in an overly politically correct world -- yes, you can can have two X chromosomes and still be a "car guy." Also, if you have to use google, wikipedia or any other reference source to answer these questions you're not only a poser, but a cheater.
Test begins after the jump:
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- Karl Brauer August 19, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Driving, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Definition of a Car Guy, Talk Back Tuesday
August 12, 2008
For most of you I don't have to explain this obvious pattern -- but I'll explain it anyway.
Whether we're talking 2008 or 1978, our car-buying patterns, as they relate to fuel prices, have about as much variation as a teen slasher flick.
It goes something like this: Prices shoot up, people freak out, large vehicles and V8 engines are deemed verboten while economy cars and (more recently) hybrids are hotter than unreleased Brangelina wedding photos. Then, prices eventually drop (rarely to their previous levels, but always from their short-term highs), and/or people get used to the new first digit on gas station signs, and car-buying habits return to "normal" (if you can ever call U.S. car-buying habits normal).
Of course, every time this happens people proclaim, "Yeah, well, I'm not getting burned again! I'm buying something with good mileage right now and never looking back!" But long-term market analysis of the past 35 years proves this declaration to be largely false. And the latest shopping data from Edmunds.com users suggests we're already cycling back to our "bad" car-buying habits.
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- Karl Brauer August 12, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive News, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Car Buying, Fuel Economy, Talk Back Tuesday
August 5, 2008
Okay, since autoboy asked on not one, but two different blogs in the past 72 hours, I'll do him the solid and open up the topic for official discussion.
Today's question: What should we put in the Edmunds.com long-term fleet?
Don't forget the possibilities include not just new cars, but interesting and/or worthwhile used cars as well. We officially said goodbye to our long-term Ferrari 308, and we've only got a few months left on our 2002 BMW M3. We've been thinking about a mid-80's Porsche 911, but happy to hear other thoughts.
As for new cars, there are some obvious ones and some not-so-obvious ones on my "to get" list.
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- Karl Brauer August 5, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Talk Back Tuesday
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- Long-Term Fleet, Talk Back Tuesday
July 29, 2008
To say the automotive industry is experiencing some turbulence right now would be like saying the nation's voters aren't completely aligned regarding the country's future leadership.
All three domestic manufacturers are following the standard "tough market" protocol -- slash workers, slash production, slash forecasts. They're also scrambling to remake a business and product plan based on small, fuel-efficient cars rather than large, gas-swilling trucks.
Finally, they are re-evaluating which brands are worth their time and trouble. Those that don't make the cut are put on the auction block, such as Jaguar and Land Rover. Others are likely to be killed outright, joining Plymouth and Oldsmobile in that big "Dead Brands" junkyard in the sky.
This raises an interesting question -- specifically, what will happen to Chrysler?
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- Karl Brauer July 29, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chrysler, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Chrysler, Lease
July 22, 2008
I spent last week vacationing in the Denver area, but on two separate occasions my vacation was interrupted when work came a callin' in the form of disguised test mules (or prototype vehicles) undergoing high altitude testing.
On Tuesday of last week I spotted a taped-up 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK driving on the C-470 loop from south Denver to I70 (where it promptly headed up into the mountains while I head down into Wheat Ridge). It was being tailed by a C320 and both cars wore numerous antennas to record sensor data.
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- Karl Brauer July 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cadillac, Future Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Future Vehicle, Spy Photography, Talk Back Tuesday
July 15, 2008
I'm driving the Ford GT (pictured above on the assembly line in June 2005) back to my 20-year high school reunion in Denver this week. You can follow the details of the trip on twitter if you're really bored.
There are a number of reasons I could list for this action. It provides great blog content. Edmunds will pay the gas bill. The car's warranty runs out in August, meaning this is my last chance to really utilize the car with some level of factory protection against mechanical defects.
But I think we all know the best reason -- to do what The Bandit did best: Show Off.
I was a certified car guy back in high school. Actually it started in junior high, when I drove my 1969 Plymouth GTX to the last day of 9th grade (so what if I only had my permit at the time). By 11th grade I owned a second, 1970 GTX. Between the two of them I had the most notorious cars in high school. The '69 was sold during my senior year, but the '70 GTX is still in my possession and already back in Denver, waiting for the festivities. The reunion schedule includes two night events and one daytime event, giving me ample opportunity to drive (show off) both cars.
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- Karl Brauer July 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Muscle Car, Road Trips, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Ford GT, High School Reunion
July 1, 2008
As noted by many folks, on the pages of this blog and throughout the automotive industry, the price of oil and gas is impacting much more than just folks' monthly gas bills. This week's Automotive News is drenched in stories of increased supplier costs - all at a time when car sales have evaporated and prices are being driven down by plunging demand.
More expensive production costs paired with falling retail prices? That's about as bad as it gets, and not just for automakers but for any retail outlet. Steel prices have been spiking upwards for a couple years, but now oil prices, and everything oil goes into, are skyrocketing. Think about all the products we buy that involve plastic and rubber - both heavily dependent on oil as a fundamental component? Of course even things that don't involve oil in the manufacturing process, like milk and bread, have to be shipped. I saw a news story last week about the price of food in Hawaii. I think a peanut butter was somewhere around $8 a jar!
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- Karl Brauer July 1, 2008, 4:15 AM
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- Talk Back Tuesday
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- gas prices
June 24, 2008
You may have already heard this, but Ford is delaying the launch of the all-new F-150 by two months.
There's really no way to spin this, it's simply bad news. It's bad because they've spent plenty of money redesigning this truck, so any delay in selling it ultimately costs them money. It's bad because the F-150 has represented a guaranteed, fundamental level of income for Ford for decades. Now it doesn't (a lack of 2008 F-150 sales is the official reason Ford is giving for the 2009 model delay).
Finally, it's really bad (for Ford, and all the domestics) because it clearly reflects the hostile market for big, old-school, V8-powered vehicles. This news comes on the heels of GM stating they have postponed the GMT900 (Silverado, Tahoe) platform redesign "indefinitely." So far (and I say that with some trepidation...) the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram launch is still on schedule.
While these news reports aren't exactly earth-shattering, or unexpected, I find them interesting on a level missed by most news reports -- Trucks have gotten pretty damn good!
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- Karl Brauer June 24, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Automotive News, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
June 17, 2008
I don't like saying, "I told you so" -- at least not too much.
In this case, however, I'm citing a New York Times article from October of 2006. The title was Small-Car Nation and in it the author analyzed the potential for small-car success in the traditionally big car (and truck, and SUV) U.S. market...
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- June 17, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Dodge, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Talk Back Tuesday
June 10, 2008
If you saw last Friday's blog you know that the Jaguar XF Supercharged comes standard with 20-inch wheels, and in my opinion those wheels reduce ride quality to an unacceptable level. The car's confidence around corners is undeniably enhanced by such large orbs, and many would say it's appearance benefits as well. Yet I would argue the car could/should handle exceptionally without wheels of this diameter. As for style, the large circles are actually too large in my not-so-humble opinion, further compromising the XF's already questionable looks.
However, in a world where entire TV shows can be named after automotive wheels it may be heresy to suggest a uniqe whip could actually be...too large? But I'm suggesting it all the same. The Jaguar XF by no means owns this "excessive rim" status. The new Dodge Challenger with 20-inch wheels? Too big! Makes the car sit too high, giving it more of a "monster truck" versus "performance car" stance.
Same goes for the 20-inch wheels on high-end luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the 22-inch rims on Cadillac Escalades both of them make the vehicles in question look like one of those circus clowns on stilts IMHO. Conversely, the 20s on the Rolls-Royce Phantom neither look too big (likey because it has such large proportions to begin with) nor upset the ulta-luxury sedan's ride quality. Consider the Rolls the rare exception, as I'd argue it's nearly impossible to put 20-inch wheels (or larger) on a vehicle without drastically sacrficing ride quality.
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- Karl Brauer June 10, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Cadillac, Dodge, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Talk Back Tuesday
June 3, 2008
Credit the wife with today's topic. She read an article this past weekend about "gas theft" in Oxnard, (near Ventura) and while the actual incidence of gas theft hasn't spiked - yet - various police officials fully expect it to as gas inches ever closer to $5 a gallon (it's well above that price for diesel around here). Gas, like gold, is becoming a more valuable commodity evey day.
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- Karl Brauer June 3, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
May 27, 2008
Sumer is here (yeah, technically not until June 21st, but we all know it starts with Memorial Day), and the question today is simple:
Have your summer vacation plans been impacted by the price of gas?
I'm one of those freaks who actually enjoys driving across the country, and I felt this way long before the body-cavity-search/pay-extra-for-luggage/no-food-provided/no-water-allowed days of air travel.
Now it takes a pretty unique situation for me to board an airplane (like, say, having an ocean in the way). The bummer is, fuel prices have made it nearly as costly to drive as it is to fly, depending on the distance you're traveling and how many folks you're jamming into the car/minivan/SUV.
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- Karl Brauer May 27, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Road Trips, Talk Back Tuesday
May 13, 2008
"Gas prices are skyrocketing! There's no end in sight!! Who knows how high they'll go?!!!"
The above statements may or may not be true, but Chrysler is hoping enough of you feel this way to fall for their latest marketing scheme: Let's Refuel America!
The Edmunds data department confirmed last week that, for the most part, this "deal" isn't all it's cracked up to be (surprise!). But here's a story that pulls all the important numbers together and, in simple terms, says to avoid the "Let's Refuel America!" boondoggle and just take the good, old reliable incentive cash. You'll come out much better.
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- Karl Brauer May 13, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Chrysler, Talk Back Tuesday
May 6, 2008
Everyone from Ford to GM to Toyota is betting on plug-in hybrids, with models like the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius promising to offer the technology in the next couple of years. The promise of all-electric operation, and the equivalent of 100 mpg, is hard to ignore. Yet there are many hurdles to overcome, like lithium-ion battery technology, heat management and warranty concerns. But an even bigger quesiton remains: How will utility companies react to this new drain on the power grid?
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- Karl Brauer May 6, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
April 29, 2008
In case you haven't noticed, the price of gas is a bit higher than it used to be. Actually, its ranging from 50 to 80 cents more per gallon than it was this time last year, and over the past weekend I almost couldn't cover my fuel charge with a $20 bill -- for my motorcycle! That was a bit of a wake up call.
I remember a conversation between my parents where my dad was talking about all the people who said they'd use roller skates before paying a given price for a gallon of gas. Of course, this conversation took place in 1984, and the price people were agonizing over was $1.25-a-gallon. Now we're at $4-a-gallon, and I still haven't seen any rollerskates.
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- Karl Brauer April 29, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
April 22, 2008
You may have already heard this, but there's a growing relationship between Chrysler and Nissan. For complete details, check out Michelle Krebs' excellent analysis on AutoObserver.com.
Like many automakers, Nissan and Chrysler are two companies with clearly-defined strengths and weaknesses. What wasn't so obvious to me, until hearing about the budding partnership and reading Michelle's article, is how perfectly these two entities line up and how much stronger they could be as a single unit. Recent history suggests that mergers on this scale are never as simple as they appear at first glance, and the last thing either automaker needs is another failed coupling.
But bottom line -- Cerberus Capital Management is a "show me the money" group of guys, and Carlos Ghosn has wanted a U.S. paring for awhile. It doesn't take a crystal ball to see where this might go, though for now both companies are merely talking about model-sharing plans. How far will these plans go? Let take a look at the obvious ones (all stolen from Michelle's article):
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- Karl Brauer April 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive News, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Talk Back Tuesday
April 15, 2008
Alright guys, I've got a new series I want to start with today's Talk Back Tuesday.
It's the first installment of Cars that Jumped the Shark, in which we discuss when a particular model topped out before beginning that inexorable slide into pathetic-ness. In some cases you may feel a car never jumped the shark and it is still getting better, which is fine. In other cases, you may feel a car never even got up on two skiis, but was fish food from day one, and that's okay too.
To start things off I'm going to ask about the BMW M3. With an all-new version now in showrooms, and a previous-generation M3 in our long-term fleet, it seems fitting to ask the question: When did the BMW M3 jumped the shark?
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- Karl Brauer April 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- BMW, Cars that Jumped the Shark, Talk Back Tuesday
April 8, 2008
Last Friday's blog entry discussed the crash-and-burn status of large truck and SUV sales. Basically, if it's big and it's truck-based, it ain't sellin' (with rare exception). At the same time, Ford's archaic Ranger is up for the year, and anecdotel evidence suggests new and used Rangers, along with older Toyota and Nissan compact trucks, are quite popular with truck buyers in 2008.
This is basically a repeat of what happned with American cars in the 1970s. For decades they'd grown larger and larger, then a fuel crisis hit and everyone (car buyers and car makers) stopped, took a critical look at the size of their vehicles, and basically said, "What the #@&* are we doing?! Nobody actually needs vehicles this big, we're just caught up in a 'Size Arms Race' with the rest of the industry. Now our vehicles are just stupid-big -- and they guzzle a lot of gas!"
This epiphany had every carmaker immediately downsizing their offerings as a result, and while cars have grown in recent years we've still never approached the behemoths being sold in 1974.
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- Karl Brauer April 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Dodge, Future Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
April 1, 2008
Diesel powertrains make up over 50 percent of new-car sales in Europe. On a cost-benefit ratio, diesels are more efficient and environmentally responsible (especially when you take total vehicle production and lifecycle into account) than hybrids. Modern fuel-system and exhaust-system technologies have removed much of the noise, smell, soot and pollution associated with diesel engines while giving them near gasoline-like responsiveness and performance (just ask Audi).
Basically, diesels have nearly every advantage over hybrid drivetrains, and score pretty well against traditional gasoline engines, too. I've spent the last week in our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and today I'm driving a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD (look for my specific post on that vehicle tomorrow). Both vehicles continue to validate the effectiveness of modern diesels at reducing fuel consumption and exhuast emissions while cutting our dependence on imported oil.
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- Karl Brauer April 1, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
March 25, 2008
I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:
In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:
"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."
Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!
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- Karl Brauer March 25, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Hummer, Mazda, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
February 26, 2008
Last Friday's blog about the GMC Acadia versus Yukon Denali raised some interesting discussion points. The two dominant arguments were either:
1. The Yukon Denali is overpriced and unnecessary when the same division offers the Acadia; or
2. The Yukon Denali has more capability than the Acadia in areas like towing and hauling, and is thus worth the money
As is often the case, both of these arguments are correct, depending on your needs as a buyer. But this brings up the next big question: How much car (or truck, or SUV, etc.) do you really need? The emphasis on "really" comes from a phenomenon I think we're all aware of -- perceived versus actual vehicle needs. As such, I present the following two-step process to consider when buying your next vehicle:
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- Karl Brauer February 26, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- GMC, Talk Back Tuesday
February 19, 2008
I touched on this subject about 10 months ago, but it deserves another visit in the wake of recent activity. First is the ratification of a new energy bill that will raise CAFE standards dramatically (though not as much as you my think...). Now comes a story about insurance companies waging a war on horsepower.
As I noted in early April of 2007, the storm clouds are gathering and it appears a long, bitter "anti-performance" winter is about to begin. As you might expect, a period of "performance-car hibernation" is sure to follow, setting the stage for current supercars like the Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R to play the role of 21st Century Hemi 'Cudas and Super Duty Trans Ams.
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- Karl Brauer February 19, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday
January 22, 2008
I fear the answer for too many people is "No!" After all, learning about global warming (as opposed to simply forming an opinion based on mainstream media sound bites) can take all of...well, it took me about 10 minutes to take this Global Warming Quiz, which not only tested my knowledge but greatly expanded it as well. I got one of the questions wrong (number 9), and I'd like to hear how other people score on this.
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- Karl Brauer January 22, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Talk Back Tuesday
January 8, 2008
It's that time of year again -- time to figure out what long-term cars will be added to the fleet in the coming year. We've had our first meeting and the tentative list is in place, but we're nothing if not flexible.
So now's your chance. Tell us what you think should be added to the Edmunds/Inside Line Long-Term Fleet in the coming year. You probably already have a sense of the primary factors we consider, but just to be clear I'll state them again. We like to get all-new or redesigned models because we think consumer interest is higher in those. We also like to get a good balance of volume sellers and specialized/niche vehicles, as both tend to draw the most traffic and reaction from site users. Cars that fall in-between (not really big sellers and not really interesting low-volume cars) are, typically, the least valuable to us.
The following vehicles are all on our consideration list, but we won't get them all and we may get others not on this list:
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- Karl Brauer January 8, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Talk Back Tuesday
December 18, 2007
I don't know if any of you saw the recent L.A. Times story about vehicle trailers and the deaths/injuries associated with them, but it's a rather heart-wrenching report. Basically, the number of trailers on the road has increased by 50 percent in the past 15 years, as has the rate of carnage from trailer "accidents." I use the quotes because most of these accidents are the result of clueless drivers and/or negligent towing practices.
This gets to the heart of one of my major beliefs. See, as a certified freedom lover I hate the idea of restricting people's actions. But as a lover of logic, I realize you can't let everyone do whatever they want whenever they want to. The solution? Training-training-training.
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- Karl Brauer December 18, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Driving, Talk Back Tuesday, Traffic Safety
December 11, 2007
If you've been watching either the Straightline blog or the Strategies blog you've already heard about our Consumer Comparison Test pitting the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry against each other. Feel free to predict the finishing order of this comparison test (that's what they're doing over at Straightline) but this post will be focusing on a different aspect of the event.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is HUGE. It's not huge because it involved letting consumers drive three competing models and provide feedback. We've seen that in various "buff books" ad campaigns for a couple years now, not to mention recent television commercials and radio spots. No, what makes this huge is the fact that no manufacturer was involved in the testing process.
Every previous "consumer" test I've seen has always been backed by a specific manufacturer. The buff book campaigns I just mentioned involved the Cadillac CTS and Jaguar X-Type -- with associated ad pages and tiny "advertisement" text on those pages (Ugh! -- I felt dirty just quickly thumbing past them). The recent television/radio ads we've likely all seen or heard involves Ford's "Swap My Ride" effort to show that the Fusion and Edge are "better" than the Camry and Highlander. Any guess as to which vehicles fared well in those tests?
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- Karl Brauer December 11, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Honda, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
