In the past, media channels have flowed in one direction: from the disseminator to the audience. “Letters to the editor” often lost impact due to latency. Only a fraction could be acknowledged. Less would find their way into publication, and even then, only as a sidebar.
The Internet has changed the game. ExpoTV has adopted a style of “social commerce” that couples a powerful medium with interactive tools that let prospective buyers quiz a product’s owners.
This shift has inspired me to look forward to the future of car shoppers’ research habits. In my view, the process will naturally shift toward live, interactive Q&A sessions that match prospective buyers with current owners and unbiased enthusiasts. That’s why I’m hosting an experimental live Q&A session on stickam.com… tonight! The shindig starts at 6:30 PM Central Time. If you’re interested in cars, commerce, technology, or any mix of the three, I hope you’ll show up in support! Click here to see the highmileage.org Stickam page.
Many happy miles,
Adam
August 19th, 2008
You’ve heard the clichés. Most Hummer-hating hybrid drivers will ignore the fact that Toyota sells three different SUVs that achieve 15-mpg in mixed driving. My message is moot: snappy soundbytes have incredible staying power, and the Hummer brand has been forever tainted in the minds of those who villify Hummers for being… well, just as wasteful as the competition. Last week, GM announced that the brand was “under strategic review.” In English: up for sale. What an ironic fate for a brand that aimed to connect its buyers with nature.
What caused the crisis? Planned powertrains that could have burned earth-smart biodiesel fuel didn’t come soon enough. Moreover, the stigma of inefficiency and excess is certainly hard to shake.
The truth is, Hummers don’t spend their spare time trampling saplings. Some serve a higher purpose. Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies is a community of owners who use their trucks’ off-road capabilities to assist Red Cross in times of crisis. HOPE is an excellent example of how car culture can unite people from diverse backgrounds.
Not many pundits give HOPE the attention it deserves. You read about it here. Even journalism: it’s only fair.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 18th, 2008
It’s hard to buy a truly bad car these days. If Expo’s three-star rating signifies an ‘average’ experience behind the wheel, on some level, ‘average’ is actually pretty good. That’s why, with heavy consideration, Kia’s Sedona minivan received a below-par score. In today’s saturated market, a car can’t simply meet a benchmark — it must excel to stand out. The Sedona was acceptable at times, but packaging failures such as the audio system and torturous second-row seats kicked it to the back of the pack.
The Sedona is not Kia’s last word.
Keep your eye on the fledgling Korean brand. While parent company Hyundai raises prices in line with lofty upmarket aspirations, I have seen evidence that Kia is after a much more realistic goal: in the next five years, I expect Kia to provide the product line that Scion always hoped to — minus the clever renegade marketing.
At the New York International Auto Show, Kia surprised audiences with a handsome two-door sports coupe concept. The KOUP’s 2-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine revved onstage, flaunting 290 horsepower — a demonstration of engineering talent that finally puts powertrain first.
If the KOUP makes it to market, the assault won’t stop there. Hitting up the Vans Warped Tour? Check out a thinly-disguised version of the SOUL concept between bands. This car has pictures of the xB and xD pinned to its punching bag. If Kia gets the details right, the SOUL could be a smarter choice.
Fresh pics of Kia’s upcoming Sorento hit the web earlier this week. The leaked photos show a bold front clip design similar to the KOUP concept, suggesting that when first-time buyers are ready to trade up, they’ll have a reason to return to their original dealer.
Before I paint a starry picture, let’s point out the asterisks: Kia’s upcoming Borrego SUV uses a heavy body-on-frame design that will make its V8 engine even thirstier. In an era of tanking SUV resale values and skyrocketing gasoline costs, I’m convinced the Borrego is the wrong truck at the wrong time. And, as other manufacturers have learned, minivan stigma is a dealbreaker among buyers who would rather adopt smaller, smarter crossovers to haul their families and gear. The Sedona — and the mindset behind it — needs to go. Only then will Kia’s transformation be complete.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 11th, 2008
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