truth about domestics

Ford apparently had quite the marketing bunch back in the 80′s…well, I mean, pretty much every company did.  Check it out for yourself in the video above…

If you look over the speaker’s shoulder in this video on several Camaro graphics packages that will be shown at SEMA, it appears that GM might be preparing a Raptor fighter of its own.  What do you think?  Watch the video and let us know!

According to a leaked dealer transmission, Ford Racing will be offering a 2010 Boss 302R Limited Edition Mustang to a select few customers.  The cars will range in price from $79,000 to $129,000 for full fledged off-road racing Mustangs.  For more details on exactly what the cars include, head on over to Mustang Heaven.  The cars are being produced to mark the 40th anniversary of the original 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs, one of which is pictured above.

(Image source: Hemmings)

Hit the video above to see a short clip of Bob Lutz preparing for the CTS-V challenge that he issued earlier in the week.  Or head on over to Autoblog for more information.

Word has come from Bloomberg that Ford Motor Company is looking at possibly producing the next generation Kuga in Kentucky!  This vehicle would be built for both the North American and European markets, meaning the UAW would have greater job security and Ford would have greater manufacturing flexibility.  The Kuga is based off the C-platform that also underpins the Focus.

(Image source: Ford)

First came word that Cadillac was looking for a new advertising agency to help cut costs and also increase its performance in the marketplace.  Now Business Week has it that Chevrolet itself is shopping for a new marketing firm to do business with.  This comes as quite a shock because their current marketing firm Campbell-Ewald has been with Chevrolet since 1922.

The article states that their relationship will continue on for the foreseeable future, but that Chevrolet will be bringing in other outside firms to try and increase their marketing reach.  This could also be an attempt to try and curb marketing costs in an ever toughening economy.

(Image source: PitchEngine)

Chrysler has decided to split the Ram off into its own brand, making the 2010 Dodge Ram HD the first model to do so.  Not only does the new model come with revised sheetmetal and capability, but it also starts out cheaper than the 2009 model!  Also new is the Ram Power Wagon which is built for serious off-road duty.  For all of the details, as well as the official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

The Volt pictured above is in what I would call, the official color of the Volt.  It has been used for pretty much all of the publicity shots of the car, however, this color does not yet have a name.  SO, to solve that, General Motors has opened up a contest on Chevrolet VoltAge to take user submissions on what they think the color should be called.

(Image source: GM)

During this week’s “The Business of Plugging In” conference in Detroit, Michigan, Jonathan Lauckner, the GM VP of Global Program Management, told the audience that the government needs to increase incentives for plug-in hybrids in order to generate more consumer interest. According to Lauckner, the costs for these vehicles are high, and volumes are low. Lauckner also talked about GM’s upcoming Chevy Volt plug-in vehicle.

While I agree that the government needs to take a more pro-active approach in stimulating alternate fuels/technologies in transportation (in general), I do not agree that the government needs to do this by dishing out cash. Instead, I think the US needs to follow what many European governments have been doing; they need to increase the tax on gasoline. This will ultimately generate interest in vehicles that are more fuel efficient, such as hybrids, plug-ins, electric vehicles, and even small and efficient diesels.

I’m sure nobody will be ecstatic about an increase in taxes; therefore, the government could compensate by reducing income taxes, for example, or fixing roads, building mass transit systems, etc. In the long run, this will not only help US’s economy, but also the environment.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Read the full article at The Detroit News.

Apparently the Ford ads featuring real customers talking about their own personal vehicles have been a success.  So what’s better than the original 6 ads that we posted before?  How about some new ones!  Check em out below and let us (and Ford!) know what you think!