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Comments
Steve
http://www.dcxmediaservices.com/videoptrs/wms/dctv/Mar04/Houghton- _Ride_Drive_300k.wvx
if no paint is required it'll be the best $100-150 you ever spent!
~c
Well a more accurate comparison would to keep the nautical theme and name it the Titanic. Wait a second, that's their truck!! LOL
They should have gone all out, I can see the ad copy now
"Announcing the new Nissan Armada and Titanic, floundering at a showroom near you."
Nicholas
-juice
Steve
http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content- _id=1000497294
"..."We are transitioning to a premium brand, globally, so this is part of a strategic initiative for us," said the rep for the Cherry Hill, N.J., automaker. ..."
-Dennis
-juice
Actually I was thinking the theme was "failed military/naval ventures."
Ed
Craig
-mike
Cheers Pat.
Notice the uphill test was only with one side on ice.
Now why can't Subaru do something like that with it's "top" customers?
Ken
-mike
Anyone else seen the pics?
Nicholas
It isn't unusual for an incumbent agency to be asked to pitch for their continued appointment. Generally, the sitting agency has best chance of renewal because it knows the client and their values, but it gives a chance to look at the alternative talent. If something comes out of left field that is really attractive, it gives the client the chance to see it. If nothing really exciting appears, nothing is lost as would occur if the sitting agency was sacked outright.
It is particularly appealing when the client is refocusing their business and may be held back by existing perceptions of suppliers.
Globally, Subaru is percieved as a premium product, a position lost in the USA during the "Stack them high, Sell them cheap" campaigns of the 1980's. There's a marketing text on how Subaru's agency nearly killed the business in the USA. They are still paying the price of devaluing the brand. The up side is that those of you in the USA are getting a superb product very cheaply. You don't know how lucky you are!
Cheers
Graham
Marketing? First of all, dump the LL Bean tie-in, we need a Dave Edition instead. Custom name plates and labels where the LL Bean stuff is now.
Then a Mike edition for the turbos.
For the many Mac users, an iPod dock built-in to every single model, and a pull-out charger for all PowerBook laptops.
Next, add built-in pet harnesses, maybe on sliding rails in the cargo area of the wagons. Water dispensers optional. Line the cargo areas for hose-out convenience.
Bring back the built-in booster seats, I'd kill for a pair of those. Volvo's are brilliant.
You'd barely have to market them at all, demand would outstrip supply.
-juice
-mike
So the "Mike" line would be the performance line. The "Dave" line would be about value and unique features.
-juice
OK, I'll choose to customize the 7 seater, Surveyor or Adirondack, whatever.
My base pallette would include a cloth car with a moonroof (right there it's a custom). H6 engine with a 5 speed SportShift, VTD, stability control. To keep costs down delete leather, power seats, climate control, and no fancy stereo. That would make it $3 grand cheaper than the planned base model, which should put it at about $30 grand, my upper price limit.
Now to customize: I'd like unpainted cladding, Forester X style, on everything below the waist, the entire vehicle. Bumpers, and lower doors, plus the fender flares. Save on paint costs right there.
Inside, delete the carpeting from the cargo area. I'd even consider deleting the floor carpets alltogether for a hose-out style interior, good for the kids.
I want DVD but to keep costs down I'd settle for a DC outlet for my laptop and a custom-made laptop mount that could squeeze it between the two front seats.
The 2nd row would have 2 built-in booster seats, Volvo style. The 3 parts of the seat would slide fore/aft independently. If that's too costly at least have 2 parts slide independently.
If you want to get really creative, how 'bout a fold out diaper changing station in the cargo area? It could have a baby wipe dispenser, as well as a diaper and ointment dispenser (now *that* would be hilarious).
Price no object, how 'bout a pop-out robot to do the entire diaper change? But I digress...
Factory window tint. Integrated tow hitch. Roof rack with sliding cross bars, with no tools required. Huge moonroof a la Legacy.
If not Nav optional, then at least a docking station for one of those Garmin Palms. Right next to the iPod dock. In fact put those next to a basic single CD radio, but with MP3 playback. Ditch the CD changer to save on costs.
Self-leveling shocks for the rear suspension. Definitely.
Harness attachment for Hadji.
That's all I can think of for now. Get creative folks. How would you customize your Subie of choice? Pick any current or future model.
-juice
"Can you say M-iiikke?" lol
External AC power for tools at the track. Built-in air compressor.
Full control DCCD. MP3. Nav. Front missile launchers for pesky left lane hogs.
But let's get even more creative. Refrigerated soda dispenser. "Presto Pasta" accessory to dispense cooked pasta and sauce on the spot. ;-)
What else would go on the Mike Edition? Help me out folks!
-juice
-Frank P
That would work for any HOV commuters, too.
Oh yeah, my Subie would have to have an on-board computer capable of measuring mileage to the 5th decimal accurately. ;-)
-juice
Only 5 places - man do I despise slackers who don't pay attention to detail!!
* 18 speeds (3 ranges, like a mountain bike)
* 3.0 turbo H-6 hybrid
* Every gadget known to man
* Priced ~ $25K
Bob (who just OD'd on dream pills)
Bob
Bob: you had me until the price part, then I bust out laughing and shot soda out my nose. That was funny, though.
Hyundai has made great strides. I honestly think they've traded places with Mitsubishi. They're now the mid-size tier II fighter from Asia with good quality and value pricing.
They keep gaining market share. They were once smaller than Subaru but now are much bigger, I believe.
I wouldn't bet against them. They keep phasing out their older, lower quality products and keep replacing them with better and better ones, with reliability improving steadily.
-juice
First, it would have hybrid electric H6 power with flex fuel capability, for gas, E85, and even biodiesel.
The electric motor would serve as a whole-house generator for those power outages. The moonroof would have solar panels to recharge the batteries while not in use, improving mileage.
Inside, the Nav system would give voice commands, but would also have a built-in "listener" mode, because Bob loves to chat. It would listen and say things like "uh-huh" and "I agree, good observation" once in a while.
The on-board computer would have detailed car specs for every vehicle ever made, and for every market, including JDM. It would have intelligent search capabilities and actually hear what car or truck Bob was talking about and automatically bring up relevant info for that model.
The cargo area would have a dog harness on a sliding track for Annie, plus a built-in water and dog food dispenser. An on-board hose and a rubberized cargo floor would actually hose itself out when the automatic smell feature sensed too much dog odor. This feature would work even when the car is in motion.
Beyond dual-zone climate control, it would have dual-zone environment control, for instance his wife's smoking would be vaccumed up and away from him.
He'd also get the Mike Edition trailer, of course.
ESP sensors would select the appropriate gear he'd want at any given time. All 18 of the gears, that is.
There would be no belts, just chains. Even the accessory belts would be maintenance-free.
-juice
According to a little blurb I read on their mfg site, Hyundai can't duplicate the low cost environment in Korea so they plan to sell more expensive vehicles.
So built that here, plus the replacement for the Sedona minivan. Or maybe the Sorento.
-juice
Me, I just wanted a Forester XT with VTD and Sportshift. Ain't gonna happen, even with all the stuff in the FHI parts bin.
Oh yeah, and alcantara seats. Use the blue stuff from the WRX STi if you have to.
Ed
The Limited Edition would have:
* pop-up diaper changing station
* ability to tow a Lark 6 sedan
* liner for hauling parts for the Lark 6
* Studebaker-style disappearing roof
* adjustable sway bar and shocks
* two sets of wheels/tires from the factory, performance and snow/off road
* height adjustable shocks with manual controls
-juice
Bob
It's at the right height already - for me anyway.
ability to tow a Lark 6 sedan
That would be about 3300 lb. I'll bet a lot of folks here would appreciate that.
liner for hauling parts for the Lark 6
Got it already. The Bean Forester's uncarpeted cargo bay would be helpful.
Studebaker-style disappearing roof
Subaru's let this one get away. It would fit perfectly with the Hill Holder clutch. ;-) If they could adapt the technology from the GMC Envoy to the new Legacy/Outback, there would be no need for the Baja.
adjustable sway bar and shocks
two sets of wheels/tires from the factory, performance and snow/off road
That would save me some $, for sure.
height adjustable shocks with manual controls
A great idea, not a stretch from the Bean (and the rest of the world's) Forester's self-leveling suspension.
Ed