Vroom Room

Good Morning!

Pick UpIts the last Friday of the month, come in make yourself comfortable with have cappuccino and biscotti, join the conversation, leave a comment if you wish.

Yes this coming Sunday is the "Great American Race" the Daytona 500.

Have you noticed that most pundits that are discussing Toyota's renewed interest to sell full size pick ups seem to often miss a few points. Pick ups sell to folks that need a pick up for work across Canada, and in non urban of less urban areas a pick up is the equvalent of the multi purpose family vehicle. 

By now we should all know that in the less urban areas of Canada, the Detroit 3 dealers have been there for generations, selling pick ups to generation of customers. That a Ford or GM dealer has a full line including Lincoln and Cadillac in less urban areas over 50% of their sales are pick ups, the same applies to Chrysler dealers.

The Canadian economy is boyant in these less urban areas which are a stronghold of Detroit 3 dealers. Generations ago when the Detroit 3 deployed dealers across Canada, they covered less urban, and remote areas, its paying off with pick ups.

A young Canadian working in the oil patch drives a 3/4 ton pick up with an 8 foot box, and its not Japanese, since only the Detroit 3 dealers have rows upon rows of pick ups available for sale.

As we mentioned last month "The Love Affair Endures".

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline DeluxeThe other day we were musing about fastback sedans, it suddenly hit us that its not a new development at all, its been around for at least a couple of generations. Agreed they are cool...

Talking of fastback sedans, our review and photo gallery of the 2013 Toyota Avalon.  

Extensive photo gallery of the Cavallino Classic at the Breakers in Palm Beach.

The Media Day at CIAS

As you know we have been attending the media day at the Toronto Auto Show for a few years, its always refreshing to see the myriad activities, the press conferences, meet old friends, and acquaintances.

From our perspective its also interesting to see new vehicles, and make mental notes of which ones we would like to experience in the near future. In addition to being fortunate to have experienced and reviewed numerous vehicles that are displayed. 

In no particular order what caught our attention this year during the media day. 

• Some of the press conferences were subdued, with limited to no enthusiasm or passion. 
• Other press conferences seemed like last minute affairs (lets leave it at that).
• Some displays were subdued, other too busy, too many cars, others truly inspired.
• The Koreans have come a long way, their press conferences are increasingly impactful. 
• Most manufacturers perhaps took the attitude that 2012 was a good year, they all seemed to be reminding us of their sales figures from the previous year.
• Most were also mentioning this prize, that result, or some other accolade they garnered during 2012, or earlier that morning.
• We sell vehicles, why try hard, why inject passion at the auto show, we have the product it will sell again in 2013.
• Its work, its logistics, it requires team work to stage an auto show, early during the media day one could still see most of the displays getting final touches. 
• Do we have to mention that it costs a ton of money to stage these shows. 
• The show organisers are truly welcoming to media folks with the refreshment carts, lunches, to make it a little easier.
• Standing and walking is part of the routine. 
• The hot rod display is populated with interesting cars and trucks, good choice of vehicles.
• The exotic display as usual in the basement is populated by the same vehicles, and the same dealers, we are still wondering why the Daytona coupe is sitting so high.
• GM had a lively and entertaining press conference, the rear of the new Corvette is very busy.
• Fascinating to see Cadillac displayed among the established German luxury players, brilliant move on the part of GM.
• We are still scratching our heads on the virtual reality CLA display in the exotic area, a below $30,000 car displayed with tablets, next to a McLaren. 

We hope that next year all manufacturers will improve their game, usually a strong, passionate press conference during the media day is helpful to generate heightened interest, and sales.

In case you missed it, our photo coverage of the 2013 CIAS.

Internet Trends

Updated internet trends by Mary Meeker of KPCB, a great way to get a "technology feel" for 2013.

We Start 2013

Good Morning!

1953 Cadillac Eldorado

2013 is our 7 th year!

Here we go with fresh resolutions, renewed perspectives, reinvigorated passion. Its usually what happens when we have a few days off. Its also when a heightened sense of reality sets in after the holiday euphoria.

Hopefully you had an opportunity to share the company of family and friends, joyful meals, good wines, perhaps a cigar, and that Santa Claus was good to you.

Yes...the Cadillac in the photo is 60 years old...

This morning we fire up the engine for the lap of 2013...and wr are excited to see and experience how this lap develops. Yes we are thankful, and appreciative for all the previous laps, while at times being humbled by what goes on, other times disturbed, and every other emotion that comes along.

Some vehicles that we wanted to review for a bunch of reasons outside of our control did not happen, and we have additional vehicles in our sights for the coming months. 

We started work on a white paper, or is it more appropriate to call it an ebook in 2013, its almost done, it deals with one aspect of execution in the car business. Its not related to social media...we agree you are probably tired of hearing "social media" and a bunch of individuals that are "social media gurus".

Quick thought on social media for 2013:

If you need to attend a seminar or a conference to have a guru tell you what social media can do for your business, what strategy you should have, and how to execute. You are so far behind the 8 ball that social media will not help you at this stage. 

Its never too late to start, simply keep in mind that the folks that are enlightened, are light years ahead of you in 2013. These folks do not attend seminars, and will not tell you what they are doing, when, and why they are doing it...they will not share their real competitive advantage with you.

Wonder what Thought VII.XIII - 1 means? 

Thought = Thought Factory

VII = 7 th year of Strada, yes we have been publishing for 7 years in 2013

XIII = 13 the calendar year 2013

1 = month January

One of our resolutions for 2013 is to be thankful and appreciative on a daily basis for what we have, starting with all the priceless stuff money cannot buy. We hope you will do the same.

Yes...the engine is running, and warmed up for 2013...lets GO!!!!!

The Next Normal

Fascinating and informative study by Viacom The Next Normal