Car Companies Are Losing Their Minds
Wednesday, 7 July 2010 11:03![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dr_phil_physicsWe've All Been There, Right? Right???
So there's this new Toyota ad running on TV which really annoys me. It's about "Erica", the woman who has the new pastry business. Seems that she bakes in her apartment kitchen -- first thought, has this kitchen been licensed? -- and has to use mass transit to carry her cakes to the customer. She needs a new Toyota Corolla -- I guess there's no point in buying a much cheaper used one (see comments in the next section) if she really needs a car for her BUSINESS.
Anyway, her friends feel her pain and so they get together and buy her a NEW Toyota Corolla.
What? (sound of needle scratching across record player) Huh? You mean a group of maybe six people have split the cost of a fucking NEW CAR and gave it to Erica? WTF? From US News & World Report:
If it really was six people, they'd be ponying up $3000 EACH. Who the hell has a bunch of friends in the city who will drop three grand on you for a lark? THIS is supposed to be a feel good moment of common experience for past, present and future Toyota owners?
This is INSANE.
Okay, so Toyota isn't going to quote US News & World Report in their ads. But this chummy media savvy approach? Not working for me.
By The Way
This ad seems to have replaced the stupid Toyota ad which touts how they've been spending all this money per day now to make great safe and reliable cars. To me, the subtext of this message isn't "Oh we're so sorry that we betrayed your trust while we were ramping up our market share to make more money" but rather "You were all such idiots to have trusted us before, but now you have to believe that we have your best interests at heart so you should junk your old Toyota clunker before you get hurt and spend a lot more money with us and get a new one... before the recalls start."
Cynical? Sure.
Now lest you think that I just have it in for Toyota, being an admitted GM/Chevy owner, I recently railed about the Chevy/Chevrolet debacle at GM, and I thought the GM "Look At Us We Repaid The Loan From The Government" ad was disingenuous and slimy, as most Americans immediately thought of the REST of the bailout money which far outweighed the emergency loan necessitated because the banking industry lost their collective minds -- conspiracy types assumed the bailout money was used to repay the load...
So I hate all the stupid ads. (evil grin) The Stupid -- it hurts.
Dr. Phil
So there's this new Toyota ad running on TV which really annoys me. It's about "Erica", the woman who has the new pastry business. Seems that she bakes in her apartment kitchen -- first thought, has this kitchen been licensed? -- and has to use mass transit to carry her cakes to the customer. She needs a new Toyota Corolla -- I guess there's no point in buying a much cheaper used one (see comments in the next section) if she really needs a car for her BUSINESS.
Anyway, her friends feel her pain and so they get together and buy her a NEW Toyota Corolla.
What? (sound of needle scratching across record player) Huh? You mean a group of maybe six people have split the cost of a fucking NEW CAR and gave it to Erica? WTF? From US News & World Report:
2010 Toyota Corolla Based on analysis of 28 Corolla reviews and test drives. Avg. Paid: $15,060 - $19,511 MSRP: $15,450 - $20,150 Invoice: $14,445 - $18,437
If it really was six people, they'd be ponying up $3000 EACH. Who the hell has a bunch of friends in the city who will drop three grand on you for a lark? THIS is supposed to be a feel good moment of common experience for past, present and future Toyota owners?
This is INSANE.
Toyota Corolla - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Toyota Corolla ranks 19 out of 30 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 28 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Corolla, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Corolla is still a great option for those who want dependability, comfort and value. But it doesn't have the versatility, style or power of the top-scoring cars in the class.
Undeniably, the 2010 Toyota Corolla is a comfortable and fuel-efficient option. But in a large and competitive class or sporty and funky compacts and hatchbacks, the Corolla doesn't have much to set it apart. Nor is it the cheapest. And, with the recent recalls, the Corolla's reputation for reliability is slipping. However, there is one bright spot: the Corolla is a 2010 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick.
Okay, so Toyota isn't going to quote US News & World Report in their ads. But this chummy media savvy approach? Not working for me.
Erica needed a reliable 2010 Corolla to grow her pastry business. She got the surprise of her life. Every Toyota has a story. Share yours at... (Toyota's Facebook page)
By The Way
This ad seems to have replaced the stupid Toyota ad which touts how they've been spending all this money per day now to make great safe and reliable cars. To me, the subtext of this message isn't "Oh we're so sorry that we betrayed your trust while we were ramping up our market share to make more money" but rather "You were all such idiots to have trusted us before, but now you have to believe that we have your best interests at heart so you should junk your old Toyota clunker before you get hurt and spend a lot more money with us and get a new one... before the recalls start."
Cynical? Sure.
Now lest you think that I just have it in for Toyota, being an admitted GM/Chevy owner, I recently railed about the Chevy/Chevrolet debacle at GM, and I thought the GM "Look At Us We Repaid The Loan From The Government" ad was disingenuous and slimy, as most Americans immediately thought of the REST of the bailout money which far outweighed the emergency loan necessitated because the banking industry lost their collective minds -- conspiracy types assumed the bailout money was used to repay the load...
So I hate all the stupid ads. (evil grin) The Stupid -- it hurts.
Dr. Phil
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no subject
Date: Wednesday, 7 July 2010 17:29 (UTC)I myself took cakes on transit more than once, but they were standard 8" layer cakes in a sturdy Tupperware cake taker inside of a pair of oversized shopping bags with handles. No one even knew what I had in the bags. Not an oversized monstrosity all exposed to the contaminating elements on the train. Yick.
Plus, in this economy, even my friends with steady cash flow wouldn't pony up to help someone buy a car, let alone a new one. I should know, I've been carless for years and the best I've ever gotten are offers to go with me to the local used car auctions...no offers to help pay though.
no subject
Date: Wednesday, 7 July 2010 18:02 (UTC)And if this is supposed to be an example of a "story" that someone told Toyota via Facebook, then I sure as hell wouldn't pay good money for my cake to be hauled on mass transit.
Besides, if she really was running a business, she should've gotten a BMW Mini or a new VW Bug -- and gotten it vinyl wrapped with her business logos, etc. (grin)
Dr. Phil
no subject
Date: Thursday, 8 July 2010 17:02 (UTC)I'm sure ad agencies are well aware of how to subtly manipulate the male psyche in this respect, while at the same time, not alienating potential female customers.
no subject
Date: Thursday, 8 July 2010 19:02 (UTC)Dr. Phil
P.S. The cake is a lie.
bad cakes for dogs
Date: Sunday, 11 July 2010 16:39 (UTC)