CNW Marketing -- GM front?
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Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
CNW Marketing -- GM front?
Hi folks,
After the "Dust-to-dust" hybrid dust-off, I began monitoring CNW Marketing citations in the news. They were strangers to me until this 'two year research' came out. But when CNW Marketing later claimed Prius owners would buy a "Chevrolet Avero," I began to wonder if they might have an advocacy point of view that would show up in other forums. Are they an honest broker or perhaps hindered in their objectivity?
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...609210357/1148
Ok, fair enough but then we get this report about a Toyota pickup:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...609210353/1003
Ok, by itself, fair enough although this time CNW seems to have included a lot of buyer 'personality' elements also found in "Dust-to-dust." This could be, again, just a style of writing and yet there seems to be a fondness for one technology, diesel. He managed not to put in a dig against hybrid-electric, which no doubt would move the Tundra to a new level.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14895389/
Here we have a criticism of J.D. Powers who is open about their methods and methodologies with a substitute answer . . . GM products. Had there been any evidence of advocating a non-GM product and an open process, we could take CNW Marketing's comments seriously. In contrast, this CNW Marketing notice could have come straight from a GM press release.
When CNW Marketing came out with the flawed "Dust-to-dust" report that castigated hybrids and hybrid owners, it could have been just a poorly researched and written report. But the obvious flaws were never corrected. Furthermore, CNW Marketing consistently cites GM products beyond just whatever is handy and even when they are not the best product for the problem. Finally, the CNW Marketing style of writing that focuses upon personality is found in advocacy, not research or fair and unbaised reporting.
Life goes on with ups and downs but one thing we can expect is further hybrid bashing in GM's favor from CNW Marketing. I don't mind that, advocacy is fun, but not when it masqurades as a source of facts and data. Not when it crosses the line to be an arm of GM marketing.
Bob Wilson
After the "Dust-to-dust" hybrid dust-off, I began monitoring CNW Marketing citations in the news. They were strangers to me until this 'two year research' came out. But when CNW Marketing later claimed Prius owners would buy a "Chevrolet Avero," I began to wonder if they might have an advocacy point of view that would show up in other forums. Are they an honest broker or perhaps hindered in their objectivity?
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...609210357/1148
Originally Posted by Christine Tierney
Toyota poised to surpass GM
Worldwide sales could reach 9.8 million by 2008; company gains with fuel-efficient cars.
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
In a largely symbolic yet momentous shift, Toyota Motor Corp. looks set to overtake General Motors Corp. and become the world's biggest automaker after setting new sales targets.
The Japanese automaker announced Wednesday that it expects worldwide sales to reach 9.8 million vehicles in 2008.
GM, the world's largest automaker for more than seven decades, sold 9.2 million cars and trucks last year. GM does not publicize sales forecasts, but most auto research firms predict a brief downturn for the U.S. automaker, which is downsizing its huge domestic operations.
. . .
"Toyota's catching GM at the tail end of their decline," said Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Ore.
He is not convinced, however, that Toyota will move ahead of GM. "First of all, it doesn't mean a whole lot, and secondly, that makes the assumption that GM is static," he said.
"There's a lot GM has cooking for them in other parts of the world."
Spinella said GM was expanding its presence in Asia, turning around its European operations and may stabilize its U.S. market share and even recover a couple of points with the rollout of a slew of new models, including big pickups and popular crossovers.
. . .
Worldwide sales could reach 9.8 million by 2008; company gains with fuel-efficient cars.
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
In a largely symbolic yet momentous shift, Toyota Motor Corp. looks set to overtake General Motors Corp. and become the world's biggest automaker after setting new sales targets.
The Japanese automaker announced Wednesday that it expects worldwide sales to reach 9.8 million vehicles in 2008.
GM, the world's largest automaker for more than seven decades, sold 9.2 million cars and trucks last year. GM does not publicize sales forecasts, but most auto research firms predict a brief downturn for the U.S. automaker, which is downsizing its huge domestic operations.
. . .
"Toyota's catching GM at the tail end of their decline," said Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Ore.
He is not convinced, however, that Toyota will move ahead of GM. "First of all, it doesn't mean a whole lot, and secondly, that makes the assumption that GM is static," he said.
"There's a lot GM has cooking for them in other parts of the world."
Spinella said GM was expanding its presence in Asia, turning around its European operations and may stabilize its U.S. market share and even recover a couple of points with the rollout of a slew of new models, including big pickups and popular crossovers.
. . .
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...609210353/1003
Originally Posted by Robert Schoenberger
New Tundra a challenge for Toyota
Rollout to come in tough market
By Robert Schoenberger
rschoenberger@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
Toyota Motor Co. is calling the redesigned 2007 Tundra pickup the most-important U.S. vehicle launch in its history.
Analysts say it also will be the Japanese automaker's most-challenging rollout.
. . .
"I'm not sure that Toyota really does understand the truck market," said Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing/Research in Bandon, Ore.
Spinella said most pickup buyers fall into five distinct categories, and Toyota only has the ability to serve two of them:
Fashion buyers. "They use the bed of the pickup for empty beer cans," Spinella said.
. . .
Contractors. From landscapers to plumbers to carpenters, people who need to move large tools and building materials around need trucks.
. . .
Fleet buyers. Companies that need dozens or even hundreds of vehicles tend to buy in bulk and get big discounts.
. . .
Toy haulers. People who want to tow boats, recreational vehicles and horse trailers need big trucks.
. . .
Farmers/ranchers. Buyers in this market also need a vehicle that tows, and it must be able to drive off-road.
Spinella said the lack of a diesel engine and Toyota's lack of rural dealerships could hurt it with this market.
"Without the diesel, they really have no way of getting to a quarter million (sales by 2009) … unless they go heavily into fleet and discount like crazy," he said.
. . .
Spinella said getting that many work-truck buyers will be difficult as they tend to be loyal to Ford, GM or Dodge.
. . .
Rollout to come in tough market
By Robert Schoenberger
rschoenberger@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
Toyota Motor Co. is calling the redesigned 2007 Tundra pickup the most-important U.S. vehicle launch in its history.
Analysts say it also will be the Japanese automaker's most-challenging rollout.
. . .
"I'm not sure that Toyota really does understand the truck market," said Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing/Research in Bandon, Ore.
Spinella said most pickup buyers fall into five distinct categories, and Toyota only has the ability to serve two of them:
Fashion buyers. "They use the bed of the pickup for empty beer cans," Spinella said.
. . .
Contractors. From landscapers to plumbers to carpenters, people who need to move large tools and building materials around need trucks.
. . .
Fleet buyers. Companies that need dozens or even hundreds of vehicles tend to buy in bulk and get big discounts.
. . .
Toy haulers. People who want to tow boats, recreational vehicles and horse trailers need big trucks.
. . .
Farmers/ranchers. Buyers in this market also need a vehicle that tows, and it must be able to drive off-road.
Spinella said the lack of a diesel engine and Toyota's lack of rural dealerships could hurt it with this market.
"Without the diesel, they really have no way of getting to a quarter million (sales by 2009) … unless they go heavily into fleet and discount like crazy," he said.
. . .
Spinella said getting that many work-truck buyers will be difficult as they tend to be loyal to Ford, GM or Dodge.
. . .
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14895389/
Originally Posted by Jonathan P. Lamas
"Porsche Cayman tops list of appealing vehicles
J.D. Power and Associates study measures owners’ delight with new cars
By Jonathan P. Lamas
Forbes Autos
Updated: 11:33 a.m. CT Sept 20, 2006
. . .
For the 11th year in a row, J.D. Power and Associates has conducted its annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. The study measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. In particular, the study seeks to find how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. In total, the 2006 study was based on responses from more than 63,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2006 model year cars and trucks. All those surveyed purchased or leased a vehicle between the months of November 2005 and January 2006, and all participants were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.
. . .
Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research, was a bit more skeptical of the vehicles that received J.D. Power and Associates APEAL awards this year. "The Armada is a question, because warranty and quality issues have dogged this vehicle. That puts the entire list in question,” he said. “Owners of Chevrolet's Suburban and Tahoe are by far the most satisfied customers in this vehicle class."
. . .
J.D. Power and Associates study measures owners’ delight with new cars
By Jonathan P. Lamas
Forbes Autos
Updated: 11:33 a.m. CT Sept 20, 2006
. . .
For the 11th year in a row, J.D. Power and Associates has conducted its annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. The study measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. In particular, the study seeks to find how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. In total, the 2006 study was based on responses from more than 63,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2006 model year cars and trucks. All those surveyed purchased or leased a vehicle between the months of November 2005 and January 2006, and all participants were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.
. . .
Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research, was a bit more skeptical of the vehicles that received J.D. Power and Associates APEAL awards this year. "The Armada is a question, because warranty and quality issues have dogged this vehicle. That puts the entire list in question,” he said. “Owners of Chevrolet's Suburban and Tahoe are by far the most satisfied customers in this vehicle class."
. . .
When CNW Marketing came out with the flawed "Dust-to-dust" report that castigated hybrids and hybrid owners, it could have been just a poorly researched and written report. But the obvious flaws were never corrected. Furthermore, CNW Marketing consistently cites GM products beyond just whatever is handy and even when they are not the best product for the problem. Finally, the CNW Marketing style of writing that focuses upon personality is found in advocacy, not research or fair and unbaised reporting.
Life goes on with ups and downs but one thing we can expect is further hybrid bashing in GM's favor from CNW Marketing. I don't mind that, advocacy is fun, but not when it masqurades as a source of facts and data. Not when it crosses the line to be an arm of GM marketing.
Bob Wilson
HSD Organic Interface
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 649
From: Toronto, ON
Re: CNW Marketing -- GM front?
It would not surprise me. It's pretty much standard marketing practice. If your product is not as good as a competitors:
a) sue the competitor
b) disclose less than factual information thru a 3rd party
I'm sure somewhere deep in the bowels of GM the idea of suing was tossed on the table. No doubt it was quickly dismissed because it was too obvious a ploy without enough smoke and mirror choices available. Plan "B" prevailed...
I say this without saying GM is any better or worse than many other companies that would try the same thing if they thought they could get away with it...
a) sue the competitor
b) disclose less than factual information thru a 3rd party
I'm sure somewhere deep in the bowels of GM the idea of suing was tossed on the table. No doubt it was quickly dismissed because it was too obvious a ploy without enough smoke and mirror choices available. Plan "B" prevailed...
I say this without saying GM is any better or worse than many other companies that would try the same thing if they thought they could get away with it...
Last edited by Droid13; Sep 25, 2006 at 01:45 PM.
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