Phaeton Dumped from VWoA Lineup

2004 VW Phaeton - Front
Bernhard Sounds Clarion Call at VW by TCC Team (9/19/2005)
Exec outlines product strategy, need for labor concessions.
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S-line Joins Audi A3 Lineup
Audi is adding a V-6-powered, DSG-gearboxed, quattro-all-wheel-driven model to the A3 lineup this month. Dubbed the A3 3.2 quattro S-line, the new version will wear a sticker price of $33,980 at Audi showrooms. Its 3.2-liter engine turns out 250 horsepower and also puts out 236 pound-feet of torque, and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, thanks to the six-speed DSG gearbox. The suspension's been retuned for sporty handling, and five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels with 45-series tires are standard, while 18-inch wheels and 40-series tires are optional. The A3 3.2 quattro S-line also gets a restyled front bumper, fog lights, a roof spoiler, special badging, and a leather interior as well as a Bose audio system with a six-disc, in-dash CD changer.
2006 Audi A3 Sportback by Marty Padgett (8/9/2004)
Audi improves its Golf game.
"Red Tag" Prices Come to GM Through Jan.
General Motors is turning to discounted prices once more to clear inventories of 2005 and 2006 models from its lots. The company's new "Red Tag" promotion, dealers will put maximum prices on vehicles that will reflect reductions on prices of anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $4400 on some models, the Detroit News calculates. The program, which does not include Cadillac, Saturn, Saab, or HUMMER vehicles, will run through January 3.
Chrysler Minivans in NHTSA Study
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is studying reports of airbag problems in the Chrysler Group minivans. The 2005 model-year vans, the NHTSA reports, could have front airbag sensors that fail, possibly due to corrosion. The agency has logged five complaints from owners who say their airbag sensors failed; the sensors for the front airbags are located behind the front bumper, and owners have reported the warning light for the front airbags had illuminated in their vehicles. More than 400,000 minivans are being studied; if enough evidence is presented, the safety agency could order a full recall of the vehicles in question.
Feds Also Looking at Benz S-Class for Gauges
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun an investigation into recent versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for a potential problem with the vehicle's gauges. The Associated Press reports that the S-Class sedans from the 2000 and 2001 model years are the subject of complaints to the NHTSA that their speedometers and fuel gauges have failed to light. Seven complaints have been logged with the agency, and 72,000 S-Classes are being investigated for the problem, which could become a full recall if the agency determines the problem to be a flaw in the vehicle's design.
MARKETING REPORT
BMW Taps
BMW North America selected GSD&M, Austin Texas as its new ad agency after a four-month review that began with over 100 agencies seeking the business.
BMW's director of marketing Jack Pitney, who gave the news to the media late Monday, did so with German oompah music on in the background. GSD&M, who at one point handled the Land Rover business during the time BMW owned the brand in the late 1990s, will handle all phases of the BMW business include event planning and media. The agency replaces Minneapolis-based Fallon Worldwide, which was perhaps best known for creating the successful BMWFilms campaign.
The company will keep "The Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan and positioning, according to BMW. But, according to a brief/memo to agencies obtained by TCC, the German carmaker sees itself not reaching enough consumers who will consider BMW. Said the brief: "How can BMW expand the current customer base? How do you get the people who admire BMW, who possess BMW values, who possess the BMW gene - but don't place BMW on their shopping list - to place BMW in their consideration set? In sum, how do you get them to want something they don't consciously want to own? How do you arouse that latent desire? In addition, how will you convince those who purposely choose not to buy BMW because they think the brand is 'too cold,' 'not luxurious,' or 'not relevant'?"
GSD&M's first work will debut in the spring. Agencies were asked to come up with a strategy for launching the 3-Series coupe as an exercise, and so that may be the first work that hits the air, magazines, and the Internet.
GSD&M, Austin is perhaps best known for its work for Wal-Mart, Krispy Kreme, and Southwest Airlines. The agency's CEO, Roy Spence, is also known for his work for Democratic Party campaigns and candidates, including former President Bill Clinton.
GSD&M bested three other agencies who were picked as finalists:
BMW spent about $160 million in total ad expenditures last year, including dealer co-op spending, with about $70 million in national advertising. Pitney says the spending is going up, but not necessarily in TV and print advertising. Pitney, who came to BMW after running MINI USA, is a big believer in viral and buzz marketing.
GSD&M has won BMW's national brand and product marketing, but will be competing for the various dealer co-op accounts around the country. -Jim Burt
FROM THE SOURCE headlines from the latest press releases
For the first time in the video game industry, a car company has built a driving game around its entire brand with the release today of "Volvo Drive for Life," a game published by Microsoft for the Xbox game system. Prior to the launch of "

Name | Symbol | Last | Change |
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Autobytel, Inc. | ABTL | 4.70 | |
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Autoliv Inc. | ALV | 43.33 | |
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AutoNation Inc. | AN | 19.90 | |
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ArvinMeritor Inc. | ARM | 17.28 | |
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American Axle & Mfr. Holdings Inc. | AXL | 21.08 | |
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. | BLDP | 5.00 | |
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BorgWarner Inc. | BWA | 59.35 | |
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Cummins Inc. | CMI | 86.86 | |
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Dana Corporation | DCN | 7.00 | |
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DaimlerChrysler AG (ADR) | DCX | 50.07 | |
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Dura Automotive Systems | DRRA | 2.25 | |
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Eaton Corporation | ETN | 61.71 | |
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Ford Motor Company | F | 7.93 | |
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General Motors Corporation | GM | 23.74 | |
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Gentex Corporation | GNTX | 18.35 | |
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Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | 15.73 | |
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Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR) | HMC | 26.56 | |
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Johnson Controls Inc. | JCI | 68.95 | |
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Lear Corporation | LEA | 28.42 | |
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Magna International Inc. | MGA | 69.90 | |
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Motorola Inc. | MOT | 22.86 | |
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Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR) | NSANY | 19.76 | |
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Sonic Automotive Inc. | SAH | 22.19 | |
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Siemens AG | SI | 73.96 | |
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Sirius Satellite Radio | SIRI | 6.98 | |
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Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) | TM | 90.28 | |
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TRW Automotive Holdings | TRW | 25.11 | |
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Tower Automotive Inc. | TWRAQ.PK | 0.10 | |
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United Auto Group Inc. | UAG | 34.56 | |
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Visteon Corporation | VC | 6.28 | |
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XM Satellite Radio Hold. | XMSR | 28.66 |
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