vLane Blog

Carchat #2 recap: Week of Wednesday, March 18

From Banovsky, Featured Contributor
Posted on March 19, 2009

Filed under Event, Hatchback, Environment, Future, Feature, Crossover, Misc, Ford, Advertising, Ford, Social Media, carchat, twitter

The first large-scale #carchat was last night, and wow: We had about 850 tweets over two hours, averaging about seven posts per minute! Topics discussed included small cars, diesels in small cars, social media, new ways to sell cars, and green supercars.

And you know what? After compiling the best discussions from the evening, I thought it'd be a good idea to give credit to those who gave the best insights, thoughts, musings…or maybe said something really funny. So click through to vote for the stars of #carchat!

@michaelbanovsky started things off, asking if small cars should be conventional or kitsch?

• @michaelbanovsky: "First things first: What's better, a conventional mini car like the Ford Fiesta or something cute like the Nissan cube?" link
• @tswizz: "well, you know i'll hop on and say the Cute like the Cube" link
• @mark_atkinson: "I suppose each has its place. We're just getting used to the idea of square cars, hence why they're very cool right now." link
• @michaelbanovsky: "I just can't help but wonder if the cube will end up like the Scion xB, PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR, etc" link
• @bothbarrelz: "@michaelbanovsky I think that's what Nissan's trying to avoid. Three generations in japan aren't a bad sign though" link
• @scottmonty: "@kemosite The history is current - the #Ford Fiesta is one of the most popular cars in Europe right now." link

Moving the discussion on, @tswizz asked a thought-provoking question.

• @tswizz: "question, why does something that look different than most general cars mean it's gimicky?" link
• @missmotormouth: "@tswizz I think they mean a car that reflects a personality who prefers something none-standard is gimmicky but I don't agree." link
• @angiekramer: "lol, true @tswiss, gimiky is always what is given to 'unique' or 'different'" link
• @angiekramer: "we're in a time where 'different' is embraced" link
• @infini4: "@AngieKramer Like the Camry? The most boring thing in the world, but it sells" link
• @kemosite: "@michaelbanovsky I think relating different to gimicky relates to WHAT is different... A change in demand? Or a frivolous change?" link
• @bothbarrelz: "@michaelbanovsky most older small cars were "funky" due to a unique design approach: mini, 2CV. Now it's to make them stand out" link
• @qubicmx: "Just catching up... unique, versatile, economical cars? North America is far behind Japan and Europe." link
• @tenwatt: "I own a flex. the design is classic, simple. reminds me of my old Jeep Cherokee. I think it will look as good 20 years from now." link

…then a side chat on cool, imported Japanese cars…

• @qubicmx: "I imported a 1989 Nissan S-Cargo in 2004. Talk about unique, and cute (or ugly to some), versatile, economic." link
• @mark_atkinson: "@qubicmx Excellent! @michaelbanovsky and I had some time in a Pao not too long ago. Wonderful thing." link

Moving #carchat on, @infini4 thought we wanted to ban "boxes on wheels"…but @tenwatt summed things up admirably:

• @infini4: "So did we collectively decide to ban Box Cars on Wheels?" link
• @tenwatt: "I think we decided to ban cars that look like they were designed by a focus group" link

Things turned to Canadian @kemosite's need for a new family car. With five people to haul, and a wide range of roles to fill, it must also sneak under the $300 monthly payment line.

• @michaelbanovsky: "[[movingon]] Take 2…We're on small cars. @kemosite is shopping NOW, wife+3 kids, $300/mo. budget. Thoughts?" link
• @mark_atkinson: "@kemosite Said it before, but Journey works very well, and can be had for just about nothing. Used even!" link
• @infini4: "@kemosite What are the uses for the small car? " link
• @dr1665: "@kemosite I'd suggest used Volvos. Depreciate fast, so more car for $$$. Smaller, but not too small." link
• @kemosite: "EVERYTHING. The car has to take an entire family to from work/school/grandparents. It will be seeing a lot of use." link
• @bothbarrelz: "@kemosite mazda 3 hatchback, great compact that can do it all " link
• @mark_atkinson: "@kemosite Or Mazda5. Three rows of seats and good mileage." link
• @infini4: "@kemosite We have a Ford Escape as the Daily Family Truckster, works great even on trips. Only 2 kids though." link
• @jdoggny: "@kemosite Have to go with a wagon-like small car to have capacity and to fit the family." link
• @michaelbanovsky: "I vote Mazda5 for @kemosite, or a Certified Pre-Owned Volvo V70 as an outside choice" link
• @kemosite: "@mark_atkinson I've looked in a '5', came close to buying one, couldn't get the financing to work." link
• @scottmonty: "@kemosite This is the last year of the Taurus X. It may become a collectors' item." link
• @dr1665: "@kemosite Remember, Volvo is Swedish for "lasts-forever." European luxury, safety, price point." link
• @infini4: "Subaru Legacy Wagon, 2 years old, that's the winner" link
• @mark_atkinson: "@kemosite Yes, [you can lease used cars -ed.] although it can't be THAT used to lease. Just watch wear and tear with the three kids." link

[Editor's note: We left the discussion at that point, but if you have tips for @kemosite, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear them.]

After that, @thebeancast started a discussion about dealers and advertising… Things got wild!

• @scottmonty: "@TheBeanCast wants to know if the dealers are getting more branding-marketing savvy or are they desperate" link
• @missmotormouth: "@TheBeanCast Dealers are paying for both their OEM sites (which pitches them against other dealers) & their own sites ..." link
• @dr1665: " not sure on dealership desperation, but getting tired of hearing how every dealer is the biggest in the world. And the shouting..." link
• @dancmos: "@ScottMonty usually dealers go for the "corn sells" approach, meaning silly ads with lots of hype. Their nature is desperation." link
• @infini4: "@MissMotorMouth Dealers have someone willing to take some money from them at every turn" link
• @5fthighmktgguy: "@ScottMonty Believe it or not, you can teach old dealers new tricks. I know, I done it. But many are resistant and desperate too" link
• @scottmonty: "@5FtHighMktgGuy Oh, I know. We're working to train dealers on social media." link

…Which was a nice segue into this question from @michaelbanovsky: Is social media good tool to engage car buyers and enthusiasts?

• @michaelbanovsky: "[[movingon]] Is social media good tool to engage car buyers and enthusiasts? @scottmonty from Ford+ @angiekramer from Nissan mktng" link
• @angiekramer: "enthusiasts yes. buyers probably not" link
• @scottmonty: "Social media is a good tool to engage anyone who's interested in talking about their vehicles." link
• @tenwatt: "@ScottMonty good luck. most of them barely know the features of the cars. I long for a dealer free future" [He was referring to @scottmonty's earlier tweet on getting dealers on social media, and relevant here. -ed.] link
• @scottmonty: "@tenwatt I think the hand-raisers and more digitally-savvy ones are the ones who'll survive the downturn." link
• @dr1665: "Social media, despite it's progress of late, is still in its infancy. I think its a critical tool for buyers and enthusiasts." link
• @tswizz: "think about who they're marketing too... everyone is on social sites. it only makes sense to market there" link
• @bothbarrelz: "@ScottMonty Agree there. Remember that Forums are social media too" link

Again, @infini4 shifted the conversation by asking a poignant question:

• @infini4: "What's the best use for Dealers in the Social Media World?" link
• @scottmonty: "@infini4 If you ask me, it's forging relationships with people local to them, even when they're *not* ready to buy." link
• @jdoggny: "Social Media engages enthusiasts and personalizes the companies. You can't buy enthusiasts as evangelists" link
• @mattcubed: "dealers might be able to see what their consumers expect from them" link
• @dr1665: "I think the best use for dealers is to have a community rep online who engages and personalizes without trying to push product." link
• @angiekramer: "it's also about transparency, which is much needed and very welcomed" link
• @infini4: "@DR1665 so dealers should have their very on @scottmonty? LOL" link
• @auctiondirect: "Best use of social sites: Educating consumers about the buying process & truly helping them get the best price." link
• @tomcummings: "1 social media idea 4 dealers is engaging customers 4 maintenance/repairs, which happen every couple months. engage as a resource." link
• @easyautosales: "social media allows dealers to build a trustworthy reputation before the potential car buyer walks through the door" link
• @scottmonty: "If you don't have the product or the ability to speak intelligently about it, forget about social or any other media" link
• @thebeancast: "Sad that dealers, the gov the publ. and the press still can't figure out auto manuf. need strong brands, not just promos and tech." link
• @scottmonty: "When customers say they "arm themselves" with info for a car purchase, doesn't the system need tweaking?" link
• @mikedriehorst: "@ScottMonty You have to admit that the stereotype of car salesppl is not positive. Any big purchase is rarely enjoyable" link
• @stradablog: "most folks do not take the time to empower themselves,its all there but they don't do it,they still need guidance" link
• @tomwhitejr: "People are tired of getting jacked around by the status quo car buying process - have to change the process" link

That was about all the meat from #carchat, but there was an interesting side discussion of note:

• @tenwatt: "@ScottMonty speaking of the blue oval. I think it's time to rework that mark. it's about the only think I don't like about my flex" link
• @scottmonty: "@tenwatt It's a symbol recognized world-wide. I don't think we're about to change it." link
• @bencoy: "@ScottMonty @tenwatt Exactly, that's like reworking Coca-Cola or the golden arches." link
• @tenwatt: "@bencoy yeah except I don't pay $30k for a cheeseburger and then I'm forced to wear the arches on my forehead all day" link

Now on to the stars of #carchat. Next week, the tweet with the most votes will be announced as the "star" of the event, and receive a badge to place on his/her blog.

Banovsky is a featured contributor for vLane.