On Friday, we told you about the ways that automakers have suffered following the recent Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. From imaginary problems with Korean companies to very real parts shortages, the disaster has had a direct impact on the way that U.S. consumers view Asian brands. Now, the world's...Read More»
If you're a smart shopper, looking for a small or fuel-efficient car, you might want to consider heading out to the dealership this weekend. That's because even next week, analysts are predicting that prices will be considerably higher. As we reported yesterday, worries over gas prices and...Read More»
If you’re in the market for a new Toyota, Lexus or Scion, you may want to make a purchase decision soon. Toyota has announced price increases, ranging from just four-tenths of a percent on the Scion xD, up to 2.2 percent on the Toyota Sequoia. Only the Tacoma compact pickup, Yaris sedan...Read More»
If you're wanting to keep costs down with your next vehicle, you'll want to pay attention here: The insurer USAA has compiled a list of best-value vehicles using three main criteria: cost (including purchase price, insurance, and fuel costs); safety (looking only at Insurance Institute for Highway...Read More»
Looking back three years, Toyota has the most dependable vehicles, while Ford and GM again showed that many domestic-brand vehicles are far less trouble-prone than average. That's as measured by J.D. Power and Associates, as part of its annual Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which tallies...Read More»
Car owners who always make safety a priority when shopping for a new vehicle don't always think about it when selecting a rental car at the airport. Why the disconnect? It's often a matter of cost, and those on basic business trips sometimes aren't able to expense anything more than the economy...Read More»
Lexus and MINI are among the brands with the best dealership service. That's according to the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study—the big annual study that gauges multiple aspects of dealership service after the sale. Overall, Lexus ranked at the top among...Read More»
It appears that the worst of Toyota's recall woes might not yet be past. The world's largest automaker confirmed plans today to recall nearly 1.7 million vehicles globally, for issues including oil leaks, faulty fuel pumps, and fuel lines. The number includes about 245,000 Lexus IS and GS models in...Read More»
This has been a banner year for social media. As 2010 draws to a close, we take a look back on some of the more memorable moments. Ford has revealed the new 2011 Explorer to the world via social media, while other car companies have just started venturing into the deep waters of viral marketing...Read More»
Last spring, Lexus' marketing team came up with a metaphor about the "Darker Side of Green" to sell the new Lexus CT 200h. The gist was that the 200h is yin and yang, green and powerful -- good for the planet and good for the soul. We don't think the two are polar opposites, and we certainly...Read More»
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, automakers have grown weary of hiring high-priced celebs like Ricardo Montalban and John Slattery to hawk their rides. Nowaday's, car marketers are focusing their attention on "a similarly powerful but cheaper source: young social-media influencers...Read More»
Whatever your color of politics might be, red or blue, there's little doubt you've been teased by the notion of green cars. Environmentally concerned drivers want the same thing as security hawks: to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Though they get to the same place from different starting...Read More»
Lexus may have been late to the social media party but they're definitely making up for lost time. Recently they held a dinner at a customer's house while live tweeting the conversation. This brought interactive focus groups consumer engagement to a whole new level. Now, Lexus plans to hold what...Read More»
Social Car News has partnered with real-time online buzz tracker OneRiot to bring you a weekly report on what's trending in the automotive social media world. Each week we monitor discussions across all platforms including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Digg, MySpace and blogs to bring you...Read More»
Lexus has been working the "Darker Side of Green" angle for months now, hyping the company's new hybrid the Lexus CT 200h. We've talked a good bit about the marketing campaign, its series of odd but entertaining debates, and some of its...less successful elements. Now, a little birdie -- seriously...Read More»
Remember the Lexus HS 250h that was introduced last year? Yes? Well kindly forget about it for the moment and reboot. Actually, consider it a full-on system crash and reinstall; all is well again and Lexus is back on track with what hybrid shoppers want. That's how we felt after spending part of a...Read More»
When we talk about leaders in the auto industry using social media, Ford and General Motors come readily to mind. Audi is quickly clawing their way into that circle, while Toyota and Lexus have recently increased their efforts to get visibility. Notice Tesla was not on that short list? That is...Read More»
Lexus just recently jumped into social media, starting a Twitter account about a month ago, while also ramping up their Facebook fan page. Lexus says it is all in an effort to both listen to, and engage with their customers and fans. They have built a brand around the pursuit of perfection. While...Read More»
In the 2004 Will Smith movie, I, Robot, the future is filled with cars that drive themselves, and petroleum's verboten because it's volatile and unsafe. Yes, this future also has evil robots that try to take over the world, but focus on the first part--cars that drive themselves--because that...Read More»
