Advertising
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An ad campaign from Electrify America attempts to demonstrate progress in electric cars—and how normal EVs have become.
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Commentary: Toyota Corolla Hybrid ad brags about not plugging in
In Toyota's latest ad for its new Corolla Hybrid in Britain, it's 2002 all over again. The ad shows the new Corolla Hybrid (in non-U.S. hatchback form) bypassing all kinds of road transportation alternatives from different eras—from a stagecoach and an early brass-era car to 1950s hot rods...
Eric C. Evarts -
What EV advantages should ads emphasize for the masses in 2019? Take our Twitter poll
With as many as ten new electric-car models arriving on U.S. roads in 2019, automakers are showing a new willingness to advertise them. Notwithstanding Audi's ad for its upcoming lineup of electric cars in Sunday night's Superbowl, few automakers until now have put the kind of marketing muscle...
Eric C. Evarts -
How Nissan hopes to market its future electric cars
The Nissan Leaf with a roughly 60-kilowatt-hour battery was expected to make its public debut at the LA Auto Show earlier this month. It didn’t. That car is expected to appear “very soon,” perhaps at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show to be held in Las Vegas next month. DON'T...
John Voelcker -
Can Honda break through buyer confusion about plug-in hybrids?
With the launch of the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid sedan, the Chevrolet Volt now has its first serious competition among long-range plug-in hybrids. About 25,000 second-generation Volts were sold last year, and this year's number will be about 20,000. Honda says it may sell about the same...
John Voelcker -
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets ad support from Sesame Street characters
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a one-of-a-kind vehicle, the sole plug-in hybrid minivan offered for sale in North America. Its early months were plagued by a powertrain recall for a potentially faulty diode within the power inverter module. Now, the Pacifica Hybrid is back on sale in its...
Sean Szymkowski -
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV isn't yet available in all states, but it's been on sale in California for six months now. While Chevy has said all along it will market the 238-mile electric car in a very targeted way, specifically trying to reach people similar to existing owners, it may have expanded its reach somewhat. This past Friday, a full-page ad for the Chevy Bolt EV appeared in at least two major national newspapers. DON'T MISS: Chevy Bolt EV: nationwide sales moved up to August for electric car Those were The Washington Post and The New York Times; the ad ran in the front section of...
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Video shoot shows Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV in production form
The British luxury brand Jaguar, far smaller than any of its three German competitors, may be looking to steal a march on all of them. While Audi revealed a concept version of its forthcoming e-tron all-electric SUV 18 months ago, and Mercedes-Benz followed with its EQ Concept last September, the...
John Voelcker -
Low-budget Chevy Bolt EV dealer ad normalizes electric cars
Ah, local car-dealer ads on television. You've likely seen them, usually during the local ad minute on national shows, often late at night or in the cheaper slots. They're mostly formulaic, but each one mixes several elements for its own unique blend of attention-grabbing pitch. DON'T MISS: This...
John Voelcker -
First TV ad for Karma Revero drops as sales to start next month
Everything old is new again, including the 2017 Karma Revero, a reborn 2012 Fisker Karma. Now its maker has released the first-ever television advertisement for the car, a spot that debuted during the 2017 U.S. Open Polo Championship, sponsored by Karma Automotive. Simply titled "Delivery," the...
Sean Szymkowski -
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell marketing theme: thinking about tomorrow
A 40-year-old Fleetwood Mac song, floating childrens' heads, and hydrogen molecules all kick off the marketing campaign for the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen-powered vehicle. Like most marketing for hydrogen vehicles, the video ad above will likely be targeted only to California drivers...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Mirai touted in ad on electric-car charging station
How do you advertise new and innovative zero-emission vehicles, whether they're electric or fuel-cell cars? It's a question that's bedeviled carmakers and their marketers, who continue to experiment with messaging, different audiences, and programs to get people into the cars. The challenge is...
John Voelcker -
Lexus once again takes aim at electric cars with a new slogan.
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Plug-in hybrid problem: buyers don't understand them at all
What's an electric car? It's a car powered by a battery, like your cellphone. Doesn't use gasoline. What's a hybrid car? It's a car that runs on gasoline, but gets better fuel economy (whether or not you understand how). OK, so what's a plug-in hybrid? DON'T MISS: BMW 330e plug-in hybrid ads: no...
John Voelcker -
BMW 330e plug-in hybrid ads: no wait for Tesla Model 3 needed
The Tesla Model 3 electric car, which its maker says will launch late next year with 200 miles of range and a $35,000 price, has caused a few shock waves across the car industry. All the German luxury makers now have plans for their own 200-mile battery-electric vehicles coming in 2018 or later, at...
John Voelcker -
Automakers 'not even trying' to sell electric cars, Tesla says
Tesla's vice president of business development believes other carmakers aren't taking electric cars seriously.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla fan commercial: electric car rescue from post-apocalyptic landscape
When fans of a particular electric car start creating their own unofficial commercials for the car, it usually means one of two things. Either the existing ads are inconsistent, irritating, and miss the point (first-generation Chevy Volt marketing, ahem), or the auteur is so enamored of the car...
John Voelcker -
Finally, auto industry starts to admit: electric vehicles are better
Carmakers may soon begin promoting electric cars based on their driving experience.
Stephen Edelstein -
The Federal Trade Commission alleges Volkswagen deceived consumers with its "clean diesel" advertising.
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2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid Is 'Heck On Wheels' In Super Bowl TV Ad
The 2016 Toyota Prius appears in a Super Bowl TV ad.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW Diesel Ad Pledges It's 'Working To Make Things Right'
Volkswagen launches newspaper ads as it tries to recover from the emissions scandal.
Stephen Edelstein -
Four Years In, Ford Releases First U.S. Focus Electric Ad (Video)
On most American streets and highways, the Ford Focus Electric is as rare a sight as some exotic sports cars. And unfortunately, some continued rather dismal sales numbers support that. Focus Electric sales totaled 1,964 in calendar-year 2014, up only slightly from the previous year’s total...
Bengt Halvorson -
Electric Cars Aren't Selling Because Makers Can't, Don't Market Them: Report
A new study claims lack of advertising is to blame for low electric-car sales.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell Car's Ad Agency Should Study Engine Technology More Closely
Oh, Toyota ... really? It's not bad enough that your Lexus brand put out two ads that inaccurately slammed plug-in electric and diesel vehicles, respectively. Now your own agency has gone and made a foolish technical error in an ad meant to pave the way for your 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell...
John Voelcker