I was sitting there watching TV with my wife tonight waiting for the commercials to end and it dawned on me durning a Nisson commercial that everything is Jap, German, or Korean. The Indian cars are just around the corner. I can't remember the last time I saw an ad for Buick or any other GM car, or Ford or Chrysler for that matter. We have East and West Networks so it isn't a regional thing.

You think that maybe the rice burners are doing better than USA cars because of more advertising or are the big three giving up?

Dan, you echo my thoughts exactly... This country needs to see waht GM is doing - its impressive and its good! don't understand why they want to keep it secret - maybe ads will start appear as new model lineup is all out.

Was looking at the "tube" last night and saw a Chevy ad. Dad always said if you see a car getting advertised to death it is usually a car that is not selling. Maybe the rice burners are not moving so they need the advertising. Just a happy thought.

Interesting thoughts...I probably see more import ads than big three, but I'm certainly not counting. Of course, when I'm watching, I'm also not paying attention to whether it's a Canadian channel or an American one. I can certainly say I recall seeing Dodge and GM ads...I can't definitively recall a Ford one recently.

The next question that comes to mind is why the advertising doesn't extol the virtues of the vehicles. Sure, the Malibu uses a quote about being an uber-Corolla (or whatever model it is they use), but what does that say? Am I the only one that thinks a television ad showing what quiet tuning does in a Buick would be neat? The TV suddenly going quiet would get my attention as it's different from the usual noise. Assuming there is a market segment where they lead in fuel economy, isn't that important to portray? I would think so, but perhaps my mind just doesn't go numb enough when watching TV.

Here's another semi interesting thing; my wife thinks the Cadillac ad where the woman asks; ".. when you turn your car on, does it return the favor?" is great! My wife is not really a car fanatic. She loves our Buicks for varied reasons. The 56 mostly for it's sentimental value ( been with us since we got married), and the others for being Buicks, although I suspect she mostly tolerates them. But that Cadillac ad catches her interest every time it's run. I wonder how others react to that ad since it is run here a lot. The fact that it's run a lot indicates some bean counter thinks it is effective.

I'm not quite sure what makes this so great. It does not appeal to me for certain reasons. It certainly does not speak to greater gas milage, nor structutal integrity, nor overall reliability, or safety improvements. Of course I'm not a big fan of the Caddy's anyway. Of the few I knew, they always seemed to be unreliable and more expensive to fix. Instead this ad appeals to one's basic biological instincts.

I think overall there are a lot less people interested in the mechanical end of the car product, than those who are influenced mainly by how they think they will look in that car. I guess that is why you almost never see a green color car in an ad.

One conclusion I can make of this is: it does not make economic sense to produce car ad's that appeal to the enthusiasts mechanical interests. It makes a bigger bang for the buck if ad's appeal to the basic instincts that make people feel alive and give the impression that the product will improve their enjoyment of that life.

Of course this does not address what happened to the big three ad's in California. All I can think of relates to TV shows and news here on the East coast that implies California is in a heck of a pickle with this housing and credit bust. And maybe the big three are not thinking there is a market out that way that warrants spending a few million on advertising for the present time?

I see plenty of ads for GM, Ford and Chrysler products....., so long as they're trucks.

There is still a huge difference in profit margin between selling cars (probably around $1500) and trucks (probably averaging around $5000); and with fuel prices doing what they're supposed to, truck sales have not kept up with what was planned for (and therefore where the production capacity currently is). For both reasons that is where the marketing emphasis is.

I was debating this with my father-in-law a couple of weeks back. He is a dyed in the wool Toyota man. Here in NC, I see probably 60% of the vehicles on the road are non-US. Growing up in MI, seems like I never saw foreign cars.

I recently bought a Saturn Aura, and it is a great car. Yet on reviews, people harp on the plastic interior, fit and finish, etc. Now I can't say this to Pops, but my Aura is hands down nicer inside, quieter, and much more comfy than his Camry. No contest. I can't claim the mileage that his 4cyl Camry gets, but that's the one nod I can give him. Not knocking Toyota's, everyone has their favorites, and mine are Buicks and Saturns. But it pains me to see people use the old stereotypes of bad American quality, dated designs, etc.

But one co-worker of mine was recently looking for a two door GM vehicle. He didn't care for the G6, but he said that if a Malibu or Aura was a two door, he would scoop it up in a minute. What did he end up buying? An Altima coupe.

I love American cars, but sometimes I think all the focus on trucks and suv's are killing the US automakers. There are some outstanding cars out there, but either some miss opportunities, or don't seem to get any press. Hopefully vehicles like the Malibu, CTS, Aura, and Enclave will help to draw people back to American, but who knows? I'd buy American even if it was a lemon. The fear of my folk's wrath for buying foreign is much worse than anything a bad American car could toss at me...

Interesting point Brandon on the geographical differences. A couple years back a couple I knew went down to KY - he got a job with Toyota there (Lexington or Louisville? Started with an L if I recall). I imagine in that area there is likely a higher proportion of Toyotas simply due to the fact they employ a lot of folks in the area.

Dealers would have some influence as well.

I don't think anyone has yet to figure out what I'm going to want the next time around...I want to get better fuel economy, but a family of five limits options.

Anyway, this thread might get me to pay more attention to the ads I see, if for no other reason than to try to keep track of the proportions.

I see a fair number of ads for US cars including Ford. The one that comes to mind quickly is for the Focus that 'hatches' from the egg.

I've read everyone's comments and have come to the conclusion that I might be living under a rock or maybe I should get back inside and watch more TV.

Retirement isn't all bad, I'm usually busy with something but around lunch time I come in and the soaps are on and the commercials are usually about monistate or tampax or some sort of thing. Not the best thing to go with lunch.

I think my mind just blocks out commercials because I still see Santa in the red Merceds behind all the other ones going down a snow covered road. Ho Ho Ho!!!

The Enclaive was/is advertised a good bit in our area. I see a ton of Ford commercials talking about the new Sync option on the new Fords. Of course during American Idol, Ford commercials are constant.

I see mainly truck commercials down here, either Ford or Chevy. They both claim to be the hard working Texas truck.

Neither talk about milage.

I saw a Malibu commercial yesterday but can't remember the last time I saw another car commercial. Of course the 30 second skip button on the Tivo helps take care of commercials. I cant remember the last time (besides sports) that I watch TV in real time.

What do you mean 'fuel prices doing what they're supposed to'? There is nothing that says fuel is SUPPOSED to go up!

If we had more refineries and drilled where we know there is oil, diesel wouldn't be $4.13 and regular wouldn't be $3.32 here in Florida.....

Commodities do what they do when depleted. You know that, just like you know there aren't any more places "where we know there is oil"*, and I know these posts are made by following my posts around the forum and picking out items you don't like.

(* in anything approaching significant quantities)

This personal thing has to stop.

If you can send me gas for $3.32 a gallon, send alot. I'll pay the shipping.

I put $70 worth of $3.10 unleaded in my GMC yesterday. While state gas taxes play a role in the pricing, supply and demand regulate prices.

The one thing that burns me.... a given brand of gas selling for a range of (example $3.10-$3.32) at stations less than a mile apart.

If you were to go into Wal-Mart and the price of aspirin varied that much, you would ask the store manager about it, but aspirin will be the same price at all Wal-Marts, so why does gas vary between like brand stations?

You know the answer!

Have you noticed you don't get as good of fuel economy on gas now as you did even a year or two ago? I have always kept track of all my cars gas mileage - I am getting less mpg now on all my vehicles than I did even a year ago. So not only is gas more expensive, I am using more of it. I can look forward to even less mpg once the "summer" gas is back at the pumps. Kind of like going to a bar where they water down the drinks.

Keith,

You may be using a winter blend of gas. There are about 40 different formulations used around the CONUS, so your gas may be different from the fuel in Florida or Colorado.

Try checking your mileage again, say, in the summer and see if it changes again. If not, you could always check with the station manager at a major station; there may have been a manditory change made in the gas in your area that is affecting your mileage.

Joe

Geez, Dan, what ARE you paying in your area?

When I'm in Texas and it's $3.09 then fly back to Florida and it's $3.32, I thought THAT was a radical change!

Joe

If he's using premium because his car requires premium, he's paying $3.65 if he's in Pittsburgh.

And if you think the grade doesn't matter, look at the current recall on Regals for engine fires. GM put in print that not using premium fuel can be a contributor to the problem.

I've heard ( I did NOT do the research) that 10% ethanol Gasoline will cost you some in MPG.

$3.37 per gal Regular in Schenectady County NY. I haven't even looked at the high test prices but that will be coming on soon

Last week I was at the county seat, about 80 miles away, gas was selling for $3.85 for regular. I had the Reatta so I decided to wait until I got back home then run across the borber into Oregon and buy it for $3.49.

And I complain about $3.11 for regular.....

In some places here in Florida, it jumped to $3.43 per gallon. I guess Dave is happy because "gas is doing what it is supposed to do."