FEATURED ARTICLE
Big Boost for Hyundai, Audi from Super Bowl Ads
Commercials during the Super Bowl are the Gucci handbags of the advertising world: everyone knows they're expensive - but do you even remotely get your money's worth?
A couple of automakers just might have.
Although Edmunds.com, parent of AutoObserver.com, can't answer for other industries, Edmunds data indicate the big-dollar Super Bowl commercials by Hyundai Motor America Inc. and Audi of America Inc. seem to have connected. Both companies enjoyed outsized spikes in consideration on Sunday after their ads appeared during what is called the most-watched single sporting event on the planet.
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Crisis Management, Japanese Style
February 08, 2010
Last Friday's press conference held by Toyota's chief executive Akio Toyoda has generated 
plenty of buzz. Much has been made in the Western and Japanese media about whether or not his "apology" -- and even his bow at the start of the conference -- demonstrated true contrition. And there's been various interpretation of his words -- was he sorry for the quality problems or sorry for the concern it caused.
In a recent column in the Wall Street Journal, Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan, discusses the uniqueness of the Japanese business culture that led to what the headline describes as "A Crisis Made in Japan."
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 8:53 AM under Commentary , In the Media , Toyota | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Ford Tiptoes Around Toyota Storm with Its Own Hybrid Fix
February 08, 2010
Careful - at least at the moment - what you call it when it comes to fixing hybrids. You 
might want to say "recall," but Ford's got a better idea, to coin a phrase.
Almost in lockstep with embattled Toyota Motor Corp. reportedly on the verge of announcing a recall or brake software recalibration on its Prius, Ford Motor Co. also announced a decision last week to reprogram the braking strategy for its Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:40 AM under Ford , Technology , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
GM's Cadillac, Corvette Had Tough Year in U.K.
February 08, 2010
If sales in the United Kingdom are anything to judge by (and we're not saying they 
necessarily are), it's a good thing General Motors Co. hung on to its Opel and Vauxhall European brands.
The U.K.'s top sellers for 2009 recently were presented by the country's Car auto-enthusiasts magazine, and Opel's Corsa was the country's No. 3 seller (84,478 units) and the Opel Astra followed at No. 4 with 67,729 sales. The Opel Insignia pulled in to be the U.K.'s ninth best-selling car, with 36,040 finding customers.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:36 AM under Analysis | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Commentary: Audi 'Green Police' Slays in Super Bowl Ad Wars
February 08, 2010
Lots of pre-game chatter about which automaker would come out on top with the best of the 
million-dollar-plus Super Bowl television commercials, but once the last of the confetti settled, Audi stood clear from the pack.
Audi's "Green Police" commercial was witty on many levels, but provoked more than laughs because it dared to satirize what typically is a sacrosanct subject: the environmental movement.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:06 AM under Commentary , Companies , Featured | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Will They or Won't They? Toyota Mum on Potential Prius Recall
February 05, 2010
The beat goes on for Toyota Motor Corp. and its problems with keeping vehicles on the 
acceleration or deceleration trajectories drivers desire.
After two recalls involving millions of conventionally powered Toyotas, the microscope has swung to the franchise player, the Prius hybrid-electric vehicle.
Reports are mounting that the new-generation 2010 Prius does not brake consistently - and that Toyota knew about it without telling customers.
The company had identified a lag when the Prius transitions from the regenerative braking that recharges its batteries to the conventional friction brakes as the driver slows the vehicle.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 5:21 AM under Technology | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
President Toyoda Assures Toyotas Are Safe, Customers Are Top Priority
February 05, 2010
In his first public appearance since Toyota's quality issues captured global 
headlines, Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corp. CEO and grandson of the company founder, told the media in Japan Friday that Toyotas insisted are safe to drive and customers remain the automaker's top priority. He apologized for causing customers' worry.
"The fact that we have caused such concern is a cause of regret for us," he said in the press conference, which was not aired globally but was blogged live by the Wall Street Journal. "We are all working in unison to establish confidence again ... We have to earn back the trust of our customers."
Toyoda said he has spoken with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who earlier this week announced he wanted to talk with the Toyota CEO. However, Toyoda would share little of those discussions. "We aim to cooperate fully with the U.S. authorities," he said.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:19 AM under Featured , Personalities , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Ford Announces Fusion, Milan Hybrid Brake Fix
February 04, 2010
In response to customer complaints about unusual brake feel, Ford has announced it will update software on the brakes of some 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrids and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrids.
"We have received reports that some drivers have experienced a different brake feel when the hybrid's unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking," Ford's statement issued Thursday afternoon said. "While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes."
Ford's announcement comes as Toyota tries to figure out what to do about complaints regarding the Toyota Prius' brakes.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 1:56 PM under Featured , Ford , Technology , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Despite Quality Woes, Toyota Turns a Profit, Admits Prius Brake Problems
February 04, 2010
Despite recalls, stop-sales orders on some of its best-selling models and other mounting quality concerns, Toyota 
announced Thursday it had earned money in the previous quarter and raised its earnings forecast for the year, saying it will return to profitability this year.
Toyota's profit forecast comes as the automaker's quality issues are increasing. Toyota's latest quality problem involves its high-profile Prius -- the world's best-selling hybrid car -- that company executives admitted Thursday has brake issues.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:07 AM under Business , Featured , News , Toyota | Comments (4) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
January Sales: Automakers Joust for New Sales Slots
February 03, 2010
January car sales had automakers jousting for new positions in the sales rankings.
General Motors retained its No. 1 sales spot. But Toyota's recall and stop-sale order on eight of its best-selling models caused the Japanese automaker to slip to No. 3, behind Ford.
Ford had lost the No. 2 sales spot to Toyota in 2007 and has been fighting to win it back. It closed 2009 by slashing in half the gap with Toyota. This could be the year with Ford gaining momentum and Toyota in reverse with its quality woes.
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Posted by Michelle Krebs at 11:13 AM under Chrysler , Companies , GM , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
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