Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

Although auto industry money is a bit tight at the moment, in order to sell vehicles, automakers have to buy advertising. Lots of advertising, in big, expensive campaigns with high production values and creative that’s at the vanguard of style. Advertising agencies that can handle the needs of giant clientele with international brands are still happy to welcome automotive accounts through the doors.

Advertising Age has taken a look at the still-big auto advertising business and what fifteen assorted manufacturers drop on advertising per year. Landing one of these big vehicular fishes would surely make an account executive smile, though AdAge rightly posits that some of are sexier than others. Toyota spends the most at more than $800 million, with Ford coming in second at nearly $700 million. The biggest accounts don’t seem to be in any danger of having their deals come up for review, however, so it may be easier to poach someone who’s already looking, like Chrysler or Volvo. Hit the link for all the figures.

[Source: Advertising Age]

What’s Worth What? AdAge looks at values of automakers’ marketing accounts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury

Audi is continuing the aluminum architecture tradition employed on the A8, R8 and TT with a new prototype of the A5 that sheds 242 pounds from the standard 2.0-liter model.

The Aluminum A5 Prototype uses the steel-bodied production vehicle as its base, then incorporates the Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology and a carbon fiber hood and trunk to bring the curb weight down from 3,130 pounds to 2,888 pounds. Compared to the V6 model, the 208 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter model has a power-to-weight ratio of 159-hp per ton, while the V6 variant trumps it by only 11 hp per ton.

While Audi’s aluminum technology is sure to find its way into future models, including the A5, Audi doesn’t plan to produce the current A5 using the ASF concept quite yet. That’s likely to happen with the next generation model due out in a few years, but talk of an Ur-Quattro revival with the S5 (or RS5) could be the opening salvo with the coupe, and this is a good indication that work is well underway. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Audi aluminum-bodied A5 prototype sheds over 240 pounds

Audi aluminum-bodied A5 prototype sheds over 240 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Filed under: Car Buying, Wagon, Technology, Videos, Audi

Microsoft Surface is, at its most basic, a table-sized touchscreen computer. You can play with them at rather select locations, but we haven’t yet begun to see what the thing can do because there aren’t enough people investing in applications for it. But for a glimpse of a potential automotive use, Neue Digitale / Razorfish (ND/R) created a configurator that turns accessorizing into building a car in your bare hands.

One of the coolest things about ND/R’s take on customizing is that Surface allows for a huge car because the screen is, literally, a table. The haptic controls let you move the car - in this case, an Audi - with a finger or two in any direction, and zooming and jumping in and out of the vehicle take just a few finger touches. The neatest thing of all is the actual physical widget that, when placed on the screen, pulls up a topical menu on the screen that can be flipped through by rotating the widget. And get this: two people can use it at the same time.

It’s not quite as revelatory as the configurator that Aston introduced last year for the DBS, only because it’s not yet real. But it probably will be soon enough. Follow the jump to have a look at the video.

[Source: Emerging Experiences via German Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: The future of car configurators, brought to you on Microsoft Surface

VIDEO: The future of car configurators, brought to you on Microsoft Surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

www.great-ads.blogspot.com Agency Kempertrautmann gmbh Client: Audi AG Brand: Audi A4 2.0 TDI Production: Markenfilm Director: Carl Erik Rinsch Copywriter: Willy Kaussen Art Director: Frank Bannöhr Creative Director: Tobias Ahrens Creative Director: Willy Kaussen Creative Director: Frank Bannöhr

The Smoking Tire takes to the track in the baddest R8 yet, Project Raptor by Performance Outfitters and PES Tuning. Host Matt Farah puts the Raptor through its paces at New Jersey Motorsports Park to find out if a supercharger makes for a faster car than a couple of extra cylinders.

Have you ever been in a car accident situation? Have you damaged your Audi? If both answers are Yes, then you know how important is to have car insurance.

Car insurance does not just protect you. If an accident occurs, the insurance covers you, your vehicle, and any other people that may have been involved. There are different policies that you can purchase depending on what amount of coverage you want. For example, you can choose to guard yourself against accidental harm, burglary, and fire. I personally recommend searching for the best Car Insurance Quotes online, just make sure that they meets your needs and your budget.

Typically if you get into a car accident and you’re at fault then you need to put the claim through your insurance. This will mean that your insurance company will pay the damages to the vehicles and also any medical expenses that anyone faces, if any. Without car insurance it makes you liable for the damages and medical bills and this is where it gets very serious. You can be sent to jail for injuring someone in an accident without any insurance and you will most definitely be sued by the family. This will often result in you losing everything you own.

There are many insurance companies to choose from. Do your research to find a company that will offer fair rates and full coverage.