Carfax is increasing its support of dealers to boost customer traffic and used car sales. Subscribing dealers have access to an expanded set of free marketing materials from Carfax that includes Car Fox inflatables and signage that help influence a car buyer.
Updated vehicle and door stickers featuring Car Fox and media assets for the 'Show Me the Carfax' campaign are a few of the items available to subscribing dealers. Participants in the Unlimited Carfax Report Program for dealers also can reserve a variety of Car Fox inflatables and a full-size Car Fox suit for special events.
“The inflatable Car Fox is an absolute traffic-stopper,” said Randy Jackson, general manager of Serra Buick GMC Cadillac in Washington Township, Mich. “We nearly tripled sales from a normal three-day period having Carfax and Car Fox everywhere on the lot. In fact, at least two sales we made were from passers-by stopping in because they saw Car Fox outside. Carfax provides us with dynamic assets that legitimize our used car message and help us sell more cars.”
Chevrolet Premiers New Sign For Its Dealers
Mike Anderson Chevrolet of Merrillville, Indiana, helped Chevrolet unveil its new look of the future by erecting the first sign of its new design in the country. The dealership recently completed a manufacturer-mandated comprehensive renovation which made it the prime candidate for the signs premier. Mike Anderson, said, “The new display reflects an aura of the vibrant future of our business.”
Ford Motor Company Opens 600th Quick Lane Store
Ford Motor Co.’s Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center recently opened its 600th U.S. store at Elk Grove Ford in Elk Grove, CA. Quick Lane offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, as well as light repair services including brake repairs and tire replacements on all vehicle makes and models.
In addition to its continued expansion, Ford also is launching a voluntary brand freshening initiative to help Quick Lane operators update the interior and exterior of their facilities to maximize the sales and service experience for customers. “We are very pleased with our strong growth of Quick Lane and want to continue our momentum by delivering branding elements that will help keep our Quick Lane facilities looking fresh and inviting to consumers,” said Frederiek Toney, President of Ford's customer service division globally. Ford’s Quick Lane vehicle maintenance business remains the fastest-growing service brand in the industry.
Lexus packed plenty of performance in its 20,000-sq. ft. exhibit at the recent 2011 Chicago Auto Show, with displays dedicated to sporty accessorization and unbridled horsepower. The new CT 200h had a prominent place in the exhibit, encompassed in a “Darker Side of Green” interactive studio. Lexus had a kiosk dedicated to its gravity-defying “Hard Way” television advertisement, featuring a crane and several Lexus vehicles linked in midair. Visitors could view a video showing the pain-staking preparation and engineering know-how that brought this much talked-about TV spot to life.
Ford Motor Co. debuted its largest exhibit to date at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ford area was 25% larger than last year and included 75 vehicles, 22 interactive exhibits and 67 product specialists on hand to answer questions. Visitors were able to learn about new Ford technologies through digital interactions, live games and shows, vehicle simulators and even electric vehicle rides on a specially created, 208-foot-long, elevated track. “For several years now, Ford has been driving the evolution of auto shows. We’ve moved from one-way communication to full-blown two-way communication and total engagement with visitors,” said Jim Farley, Ford Group V.P., Global Marketing, Sales & Service. “Futuristic concept cars and simple narrations about products have been augmented by or replaced with product interaction, hands-on technology displays, conversations with knowledgeable hosts and even games that help visitors understand how Ford is delivering smart, safe, green, high-quality products to fit a wide range of needs.” Ford created an innovative major attraction for the show called “Living Electric.” Hands-on technology displays, digital tutorials and conversations with experts helped people learn how the different types of electric vehicles will fit various lifestyles. Visitors could even take a ride in two electric vehicles - Focus Electric and Transit Connect Electric - on an elevated track on the Ford stand that is 20 feet high, stretched 208 feet in length and is 71 feet in diameter. Additional highlights included: An Explorer Theater where visitors could take a virtual ride in an articulating Explorer and The Focus Experience - an immersive, in-car theater experience that highlights the breakthrough driver connectivity of the all new Ford Focus. (Web site) www.ford.com
Gas Station TV Debuts Interactive Advertising At-The-Pump
Gas Station TV, (www.gstv.com), has implemented the first mass distribution of interactivity-based advertising functionality in the television at-the-pump space. Launching this spring, GSTV advertisers will begin executing interactivity-based advertising campaigns at over half of GSTV’s 1,200 locations.
When prompted, consumers will press “Action Buttons” integrated into the GSTV display to receive immediate promotional information via their fuel receipts. They will then be able to use this promotional information to take action at nearby businesses, on their mobile devices, or via the Web. The new interactivity will allow advertisers to deliver customized discounts, special promotions, or other special offers to consumers.
Above All will be showing The Twizla™, an advertising system which has unique capabilities of "turning heads". Standing eight feet tall, the flag with an option of 3 or 4 panels, rotates on a lightweight aluminum pole with a ball-bearing, hardened steel ground spike. It is designed for indoor or outdoor use. To learn more about this display, contact Above All at Booth 3255 at Global Shop, or call 866-552-2683. (Web Site) www.abovealladvertising.net
MasonWays Indestructible Plastics, LLC will be showing its New Outdoor Locking Merchandising Cabinets. Cabinets may be ordered with l or 2 pull down locking doors, custom graphics and colors. These cabinets will add selling space and create more impulse sales at service stations and all types of retail outlets. To learn more about these Outdoor Cabinets, contact MasonWays Indestructible Plastics at Global Shop Booth 4634, or call 800-837-288l. (Web Site) www.masonways.com
Fairfield Displays & Lighting will be showing The Light Pocket, fulfilling the requests for brighter and more economical lighting to illuminate displays. Combined with the Fairfield's easy access acrylic concept, the LEDs bring a new life to the acrylic panels with a light box inserted in the middle and a bright white edge lit boarder to complete the stylish look. To learn more about The Light Pocket, contact Fairfield Displays & Lighting at Booth 3560 at GlobalShop, or call 800-496-2181. (Web Site) www.fairfielddisplays.com
The Bullet Flag™
This innovative Bullet Flag™ targets customers with a large branding surface area, high quality material/design and proprietary flag support pole system that will bend and flex in the elements. The bullet Flag ™ is designed for indoor and outdoor use from retail stores to conventions to outdoor advertising displays , sports events and fairs. It is available in two sizes: l2 feet tall, 3.3 feet wide and l5 feet tall 5 feet wide. The Bullet Flag™ is available from Above All Advertising, 6980 Corte Santa Fe, San Diego, CA 92121. (Web Site) www.abovealladvertising.net/
