Ford Is Turning Its Best-Selling Models Into Lifestyle Brands
Ford is no longer asking its customers what they want to drive. It’s asking them who they are, and then providing a range of choices based on the answer.
Do you like sleek design, live in an urban center, and prioritize driving performance? Ford says get used to thinking of the Mustang as more than just a muscle car. Ford refers to Bronco as an “outdoor brand” and says that in addition to buying the Broncos themselves, customers will be able to buy off-road instruction and shop from an ever-growing list Bronco-brand accessories.
The offerings from both of these brand pillars will offer the over-the-air updates and data tracking that Ford says will improve the ownership experience
Read the article at Car and Driver.
Brand Loyalty Increasing among New-Vehicle Buyers, J.D. Power Finds
If a vehicle owner is loyal to a specific brand, it’s becoming more difficult for another brand to woo them away when it’s time to buy a new vehicle, according to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study.
“There are many factors that contribute to brand loyalty, ranging from the experience a customer has when purchasing the vehicle to how driving it makes them feel,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power.
“Automakers are really focused on customer retention, as evidenced by the payment plans and incentives they’ve offered since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Many have gone above and beyond to offer customers financial assistance during a period of economic uncertainty, which does a lot to bolster consumer confidence in their chosen brand and repurchase it in the future.”
Read the article at J.D. Power.
Germans Can Get A Renault Zoe For Free, Thanks To Beefy EV Subsidies
Electric vehicle subsidies in Germany are now so good that some cars are as cheap as a mobile contract, in some cases they’re even free.
At the start of July, the German government doubled its subsidy contribution to new EV buyers. Along with manufacturer support it meant that buyers could get around €9,000 ($10,000) toward a new zero emission vehicle.
There is a caveat, though: getting an EV for free only applies to leased vehicles, not an outright purchase. Taking the subsidies into account, one vehicle dealership chain in Germany has been able to offer the new 80 kW Renault Zoe for free. Prior to the subsidy doubling, the Zoe was €125 per month for two years.
Read the article at TNW.
Automakers Rethink The Car With Swivel Seats, Self-Cleaning Buttons And Window Art
As the auto industry contemplates the impact of technology and Covid-19, designers are reinventing the interior of the automobile and how its passengers experience the ride, with an emphasis on cars as a safe place.
Covid-19 may reorder which advances come first. Smart surfaces, with materials that would replace the dials and buttons on the dashboard as input devices, could be self-cleaning. Such a function could be essential for car-sharing and ride-hailing vehicles used by many people.
Designs that completely transform the car’s interior into a working or relaxing space can only be realized once fully autonomous vehicles are on the road. Cars with retractable steering wheels, or seats that swivel so the driver can face the other passengers while the car’s robot drives are on the drawing board today.
Read the article at Fox Business.
Donlen Named One of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
Donlen is proud to announce it has been named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®. 2020 marks the sixth consecutive year Donlen is honored with this recognition.
“We are incredibly excited, honored and humbled to once again be named a Chicago’s Best and Brightest Company to Work For,” said Tom Callahan, Donlen president.
“From leasing and mobility management to our ability to deliver impactful fleet solutions to our customers, our success is fundamentally linked to Donlen’s highly-skilled, diverse, and creative talent, and this award further demonstrates how integral our employees are to our process.
This award also validates our continuous commitment to our employees, and our belief that engaged, happy employees lead to better overall business results.”
