Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is installing interactive kiosks at its nearly 2,000 independent and company-owned Gemini Automotive Care retail outlets. The kiosks, known as Interactive Learning Centers, seek to make complicated automotive systems easier for a consumer to understand. The kiosk employs motion images to demonstrate how major automotive systems operate, explaining the types of service and repair work needed to best maintain the vehicle.
“These kiosks will assist the consumer by clarifying a store’s service and product recommendations,” said Mark Boswell, Gemini program manager. “This system takes the Gemini program to a new level of communicating service needs.” “We expect visitors to these stores will appreciate the openness, and we believe this will result in an immediate improvement in customer satisfaction.”
Taco Bell Runs ‘Fuel Up For Free’ Beverage Promotion
Taco Bell is offering free $50 gas cards as part of its “Fuel Up For Free” beverage promotion.
Customers who visit participating Taco Bell restaurants and purchase a large or X-large drink to “Fuel Up For Free” will qualify for a chance to win a $50 gas card. To play, customers must locate an alphanumeric code found on the side of their cup and enter online at www.fuelupforfree.com.
“When gas prices hit record highs, everyone feels the pinch at the pocketbook,” said David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp. “For our value-sensitive customers, every little bit counts and a chance to win cash for free fuel is an engaging offer.”
The “Fuel Up For Free” beverage promotion supports Taco Bell's signature beverage Mountain Dew Baja Blast, which is available exclusively at participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide.
Taco Bell is supporting the promotion with special in-store signage.
Inwindow Outdoor, New York City, has created an interactive window display for the Toyota Scion tC featuring motion detection technology that allows passer-bys to affect the content seen in the window. The display was created in partnership with Monster Media, a digital media company.
The Scion tC is a limited release vehicle designed to appeal to the Generation Y market with numerous standard features and easily added option features. The Inwindow display uses sophisticated motion detecting technology to underscore the elusive nature of these cars, which are floating in bubbles that quickly disperse when a person approaches the display.
Harris AutoTECHCAST Reports: Consumers Want Crash Avoidance But Won't Yield Control of Vehicle
A new Harris Interactive AutoTECHCAST study finds that half of respondents express an interest in purchasing blind spot detection technology for their next new vehicle, -- ranking it tenth among 66 unique technologies measured in the 2008 AutoTECHCAST study. Three in ten (29%) adults that evaluated lane departure warning technology show interest in purchasing this technology.
While there is an interest in these new technologies, the survey finds that drivers are not ready to give up steering or helm control of their cars. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of considerers indicate they prefer that the system warn them, by way of noise or vibration, of the vehicle in their blind spot, but that they would prefer to take the necessary action to avoid the collision. Regarding lane departures, the majority (62%) indicate that they prefer a system that warns them their vehicle is drifting but they would prefer to make the necessary maneuver to correct the situation.
Affluent Consumers Buying Hybrids
The Acxiom Automotive Consumer Dynamics study has revealed that affluent buyers, are fueling hybrid sales. These affluent consumers present a large opportunity for hybrid sales growth.
Hybrid models are driving brand switching, known as conquesting, by as much as 10 percentage points higher than their non-hybrid counterparts. Hybrid technology is causing mid-market hybrid models to make inroads with tech-savvy, luxury consumers.
The study, which focused on U.S. consumers likely to purchase a hybrid vehicle in the near future, finds that non-luxury brands are attracting a previously untapped consumer market. These affluent customers continue to set buying trends for this category of vehicles, and by reaching only 5 percent of the 17 million households within this population, manufacturers could double the number of hybrids sold in 2008 over 2007.
“Clearly, these hybrid buyers are the trendsetters that are helping to shape the modern automotive landscape,” said Tim Longnecker, automotive industry executive for Acxiom.
Poggenpohl Presents Porsche Kitchen For Men
Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl are presenting their first co-designed P'7340 kitchen in the U.S. The Porsche Design kitchen, designed especially for men, responds to trends that show an increasing number of men are interested in cuisine and entertaining.
The kitchen will be sold in Poggenpohl studios around the world.
Focus America Group has introduced the Cash U-Tray using battery sensor technology to promote products at the cash register. Go Green technology with battery operation allows for touch and glow enhancement of client's brand, message, or logo. The touch and glow cash tray allows the consumer to receive money back on this attractive tray. The second the money touches the tray, it begins to glow; take money off tray, and it stops. For more information, contact Focus America Group, 10328 Highlands West Drive, Escondido, CA 92029; (Tel) 1-800-803-8808, (Web) www.focusdisplay.com.
Subaru recently unveiled its new auto show exhibit at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “We wanted to convey how dynamic the Subaru brand is,” said Tim Mahoney, Subaru’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The choice of materials, layout and messaging communicate movement and action in the spirit of authentic outdoor adventure and driving performance.” Consumers will be welcomed by a new white sweeping archway that flows throughout the exhibit. A blue metal mesh backwall lines the display incorporating a turntable, technology area and a large videowall. Natural and earth-tone elements on display illustrate the active lifestyle of Subaru customers. The new exhibit will also feature a three-piece cutaway of the 2009 Forester.
Infiniti Kiosk Ties Into History Channel’s ‘City Of The Future’
Infiniti recently sponsored the City of the Future: A Design and Engineering Challenge in celebration of the History Channel® series, “Cities of the Underworld”. At each of the design competition events, Infiniti offered a cutting-edge “augmented reality” kiosk. Consumers were able to see themselves on the kiosk's display screen, but when they held special cards in front of the screen, they instead saw themselves interacting with a fully rendered 3-D Infiniti EX. The virtual vehicle reacted to their movements while also educating them on key features of this new car.
“We are thrilled to be the first automaker to introduce this groundbreaking, augmented reality technology. What better environment to reveal this futuristic thinking than the History Channel’s “City of the Future” challenge,” said Ben Poore, V.P., Marketing, Nissan North America.
Harley-Davidson In-Store Branded Media Program. An In-Store Media Program has now been deployed at over 300 Harley-Davidson dealerships. A mix of music videos, rider profiles, marketing promotions, and educational content, the network currently has over 80 hours of content with 4 new hours added every month all distributed totally digitally. A PC-based media player connected to the Internet is provided to each dealership. A satisfaction survey was conducted with dealers. 86% found the system easy to install, 96% said they love the content, and 86% have had positive customer reactions. The Harley-Davidson In-Store Branded Media Program was created by Nanonation, 301 South 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. BRONZE AWARD.
Change-a-Brill offers its latest breakthrough in illuminated signage. It is up to 60 times brighter than neon using a patented reflector system to direct all the light toward the customer. The message is changeable, perfect for special promotions, sales, seasonal items, etc. It is much more durable than neon and shows exact logos. For more information, contact The Change-a-Brill Company, 7l5C S. Washington St., Milford, DE l9963; www.change-a-brill.com.
Canadian Tire/NASCAR Travel Exhibit
The Canadian Tire Corporation wanted to create awareness of and generate excitement for NASCAR Canadian Tire races with this exhibit. It features interactive displays and brand-relevant prizes/experiences and it was used to launch the inaugural year of NASCAR racing in Canada. Visitors get to hear NASCAR radio, play Sony Playstation games, have their picture taken and learn all about Canadian Tire's racing history. The exhibit spurred race ticket sales and increased traffic at participating stores. Two Fast-Tract Tour trailers will travel to all thirteen 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races. This exhibit was produced by Mobilexhibit Corporation, 160 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 Canada.
Testrite Collage Pop-Up Exhibit
Testrite Visual Products offers Collage Pop-Up Kits for a wide array of exhibit applications. Testrite now offers 112 different kits, ranging from compact 1x3 kits to 4x3 kits for larger exhibits. The unit shown, which has a distinctive, attention getting design, is a Pyramid 3 kit. Accessories for the exhibit kits include lighting, shelving, a Collage Counter and a Podium/Travel Storage case. Collage Pop-Up Exhibits are available from Testrite Visual Products, 216 South Newman Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
