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Subaru Wags Their Tail All The Way To The Bank

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I have to give the marketers at Subaru some serious props. Every year automakers spend millions of dollars advertising their newest offerings during the Super Bowl, but Subaru has never been one of them. For the last couple of years they have saved their money by steering clear of the Super Bowl and purchasing a couple of ad slots for the arguably less-popular Puppy Bowl instead.

For some odd reason, Subaru owners are two times more likely than the average car owner to have a pet, and that’s something the marketers at Subaru have strategically cashed in on. They developed the “Dog Tested. Dog Approved.” campaign which has found—and continues to find—a great deal of success. In fact, U.S. News and World Report voted the Dog Tested ads as the best automotive spots of Super Bowl XLIV, even though they ran on a completely different channel.

Two weeks ago, the automaker released the newest batch of ads (which will debut on Animal Planet during Puppy Bowl X on Sunday afternoon) and they are already building quite the reputation. Each of the five ads has roughly a quarter of a million views on YouTube, and the counts are steadily growing. Their success can be attributed to the fact that there aren’t any other Super Bowl commercials out there to stand in their way.

Companies are weary about releasing their ads ahead of their debut on Super Bowl Sunday because they tend to lose the charm, but since Subaru doesn’t advertise during the big game, there is no charm to be lost. They save a ton of money and still manage to receive an equal amount of attention. It really is a genius strategy.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the “Dog Tested. Dog Approved.” ads yet you can watch all five of them below. After you watch them, be sure to join the debate in the comment section.

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http://youtu.be/VDut1RkQP_s

http://youtu.be/Yt7xnoH-tbQ

http://youtu.be/-PKc_hCkTqc

http://youtu.be/MX3P_fcgtHM

http://youtu.be/x698U8vd_WE

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John is a full-time automotive blogger who digs cars, but also spends a disturbing amount of time watching and reading about movies. His first car was a maroon 1993 Buick Skylark which, after a solid seven-year run, was laid to rest in August of 2013. He currently writes for phantomcopy.com.

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Ford Continues to Please Minivan-Skeptic Soccer Moms

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Ford Aerostar Minivan Exterior Does Ford Still Make

If the words Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar mean anything to you, you know that Ford is responsible for some of the best minivans ever made. Beginning with the first model Aerostar in 1986, Ford’s snub-nosed minivan set the standard of what would be created by automotive manufacturers in this class for decades.

The Aerostar was also the first minivan in the United States to feature upgraded, luxury packages. With an XLT package, and Eddie Bauer trim levels, the Ford Aerostar allowed drivers to bring passengers, cargo and more in style. For the first time, drivers could take advantage of the versatile and reliable minivan platform, without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Does Ford Still Make a Minivan?

The Aerostar continued in the mid-90s as the Ford Windstar. The Windstar was a complete reinvention, shifting the drivetrain from RWD to FWD, and bringing the flagship minivan more in line with current minivan design. The Windstar became the Freestar in the early 2000s, lasting until the 2007 model year, with the final Ford “Star line” minivan rolling off the assembly line in December of 2006.

While we don’t know for sure what was behind Ford’s decision to discontinue their family-marketed minivan, we can take a guess. For starters, Ford has extended their reputation for reliable cars and trucks into the crossover market. With options covering a wide range of size and seating configurations (everything from the subcompact Ford Ecosport to the boxy family hauler Ford Flex), crossovers have become the new favorite for family vehicles.

Ford’s versatile crossover line has a vehicle that can meet almost any need. Do you have a small family? Go with the popular 2018 Ford Escape. Big family with lots of stuff to haul? The 2018 Ford Expedition has your back.

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Although crossovers and SUVs provide some distinct advantages (presence of AWD, higher ground clearance, and uni-body construction), the market for minivans hasn’t completely died, and neither has Ford’s commitment to providing drivers with a competent and compelling option.

Good News: Ford Still Makes a Passenger Minivan

ford transit connect passenger van in solar color_oAlthough Ford’s marketing has shifted toward promoting their incredible range of crossovers and SUVs as family choices, they still offer a more traditional minivan in the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon. Utilizing the same body construction as the Ford Transit cargo van, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon features up to 7 seats, and plenty of standard safety and comfort technology.

Lower ride height (easier in and out), sliding doors and greater visibility are among the reasons people still prefer vans for transporting their families. Additionally, the more contoured shape of most crossovers (not looking at you, Ford Flex) means that vans provide better cargo room! Family of four traveling cross-state with three suitcases? A Ford Explorer should be a great option.

Family of six, with a dog and 10 bags going cross-country, however, and the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon starts to look a lot more up to the job.

Ford has a sterling reputation across the spectrum of vehicles they manufacture. Although the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon isn’t among their more well-known, it’s among the most competent and best value options in the minivan class.

 

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I Wasn’t Always a Dale Jr Fan – But Now I Get It

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It was the crowning moment of the career of Nascar’s most popular driver. The 2004 Daytona 500. The chosen son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, had won the race that his father tragically died competing in only three years earlier.

Reports of the day say that everyone in the crowd was on their feet, cheering. Grown men were in tears. It was quite the moment, they say.

Well, I can tell you that there was at least one person that wasn’t cheering. That’s because I was that lone defector. (more…)

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The Essence Of 90’s Chevy Truck Commercials

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If you ever watched television for more than an hour at any time during the 90’s, you probably remember Chevy’s “Like a Rock” commercials. They aired on just about every channel, so they were pretty hard to miss—and pretty hard to forget as well. Even two decades later the sound of Bob Seger belting out those now-famous words is still shockingly memorable. (more…)

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