Fiat North America is ready to launch its first national ad campaign. The new campaign will kick off with a special event on July 4, the 54th anniversary of the original Fiat 500, said Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America.

“We’re confident we can do a national launch and have the network in place to support the traffic,” said Soave, speaking at a media event.

“Just as the Fiat brand’s products have been adapted to meet market needs while keeping their Italian style and functionality, our websites will also offer a tailored yet consistent experience for consumers ,” explained Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “For a global brand like Fait, it’s in our nature to explore new ways of doing business. It’s also essential that the marketing and advertising campaigns reflect the same individual sense of expression that the Fiat 500 will deliver to consumers.”

Fiat North America appointed 72andSunny as their head digital agency of record. The two companies will work to develop a comprehensive digital marketing stratgey that will increase awareness of the brand in the US.

GALLERY: Fiat 500

[Source: egm CarTech]

Want to double-clutch on Osama’s face? The world’s most infamous terrorist can bring a touch of taste and sophistication to your ’77 Monza, thanks to the American Shifter Company and its latest gear-driving artistic creation, the Osama Bin Hidin’ shift knob.

What better way to celebrate the efforts of America’s military operations in the War On Terror than a novelty hand-painted, cast resin sculpture of Osama Bin Laden’s green-faced dead head, impaled right on your Powerglide? The limited-edition piece (limited to 5,000 examples to those of us who aren’t Toby Keith) is designed in the USA (though not made here) and will sell for $69.99, or approximately six 15-packs of Stroh’s.

So, what would you put this shift knob on? A Torqueflite-equipped Dodge Mirada? A 1978 Ford F-350 dualie with DON’T TREAD ON ME stickers across the tailgate? This thing? Sound off in the comments, and show us how you express your gratuitous jingoism.

[Source: American Shifter Company]

A state made famous on for its loose laws and even looser morality, you can now add another item to the list of things you’re allowed to do in Nevada: ride along in a driverless car.

Thanks to the passing of Bill No. 511, Nevada is the first state to allow Google’s autonomous cars. The vehicles aren’t permitted to operate on Nevada state streets yet, however, as the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles first must draw up the exact rules governing the cars.

The vehicles, which currently total a dozen Toyota Priuses and one Audi TT use laser range  finders and video camera, as well as maps to guide their way. Driver’s just have to input a destination using a GPS system and the car will find its own way there.

Google has been lobbying the Nevada state legislature, claiming the vehicles will pollute less and cause fewer collisions (not to mention injuries and deaths) than vehicles operated by humans.

With the bill passed, Google is also lobbying to push through an amendment to current texting while driving laws, that would allow texting for those behind the wheel of a driverless car.

The change in the law in Nevada may also benefit Volkswagen, which recently showed-off a new Temporary Auto Pilot technology, that it claims is nearly production ready.

[Source: DailyMail]

Saab‘s parent, Swedish Automobile (formerly Spyker Cars), announced that an unnamed Chinese company will purchase 582 Saab cars at a total value of 13 million Euros ($18.4 million) in order to help the automaker pay wages to its employees and part of the money it owes to suppliers.

“I am pleased to announce this agreement, as it secures part of the necessary short-term funding for Saab Automobile and allows us to pay our employee’s wages before the end of this month,” declared Swedish Automobile CEO Victor Muller.

However, with suppliers facing prospects of only getting 10 percent of what they are owed in the short term, there have been calls for Saab to file for voluntary bankruptcy, the European association of automotive suppliers CLEPA, stating this is the only option in order to allow employees to obtain state aid.

In addition, Saab is still struggling to raise money via leasing and by-back of its real estate. According to an official release by Saab Automobiles, Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov is still very much interested in pour money into the ailing automaker, but was awaiting clearance from the Swedish National Debt Office.

Swedish real estate company Hemfosa, was on Saturday, preparing to buy and lease back Saab’s factory in Trollhattan, to help ease the company’s debt , though the deal still hinged on participation from the European Investment Bank as well as Chinese companies Pang Da and Youngman.

Nevertheless these ‘pending’ agreements have done little to quell fears about Saab’s longer term viability, particularly among CLEPA members. The organization’s CEO Lars Holmqvist believes that the Swedish government’s slow response to intervene with the Saab situation and the automaker’s low volume production, along with what he see as ‘pathetic’ last ditched attempts to secure funding, are only postponing the inevitable.

[Source: WSJ]

The old adage is true: chicks dig guys with hot cars. And now, there’s research to prove it.

A recent study done by researchers from the University of Texas finds that guys who wear expensive clothes and drive super cool cars are more likely to having flings and stay single. So this isn’t revolutionary news, but it’s always nice to have a reason why you just can’t seem to land a girlfriend. But what is news is that this study found that it’s more about “signals” than about the ride itself.

You’ve heard it called “peacocking,” and guys driving flashy cars tend to signal to woman they want a short-term relationship, treating her to elaborate spending. And depending if that’s what she’s looking for, females will respond to it. “Basically, they’re just trying to convince a female that, ‘Hey, if all you’re looking for is genes, I have the best genes, so you should choose me,’” said University of Texas at San Antonio marketing professor Dr. Jill Sundie.

According to Sundie, women think that a man who freely speeds his money would be more interesting as a date, and if they want something temporary, they will go for this kind of guy. But if they’re looking for marriage material, this type of behavior is seen as a turn-off.

What do you think of the findings of this study? Do you think that guys who drive hot cars are looking for short-term relationship and have more luck with the ladies? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Reuters]

With the launch of Scion‘s new viral video ad campaign for the “High Voltage” Scion tC Release Series 7.0, the Toyota youth brand is hoping not just to sell cars, but to attract a more mature customer.

While the TV spot and YouTube clips, which feature the Greek god Zeus, are aimed at being the sort of thing you’d want to share with a friend, Scion is hoping both you, and your Facebook buddies, are of a slightly older demographic. The reason? Well, Scion’s core customer base (often touted as the youngest in the business) is broke. And we don’t mean broke like they can’t afford to buy a new watch, but broke like it’s time to move back in with mom and dad. Yikes.

It seems that while the economy is getting back on track, it’s taking a lot longer for those just starting out in the world of business. As a result, Scion’s new ads are targeted at 18-34 year-olds, compared to Scion’s traditional 18-24 year-old demographic.

As for the ad campaign, it’s less about selling the car, (a limited edition model of which just 2000 will be made) and more about selling the brand, with humor.

Watch the commercial after the jump, and click here for the humorous behind-the-scenes outtakes.

[Source: AdAge]

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And now, a moment of silence, for a passing legend. BMW has finally killed off the engine that once brought it to greatness: its venerable inline-six.

Due to fuel efficiency concerns, the straight-six is being phased out in favor of turbocharging and four-cylinder engines, like in the next 1-Series. The six was known among enthusiasts for its aural allure and smooth power delivery, being one of the most regarded naturally-aspirated engines in production.

But now, “it is more about fuel economy more than anything else,” says Piers Scott, a BMW spokesman. “From a performance perspective obviously we’ve had some enormous success with naturally aspirated engines. But now we’re able to achieve comparable performance but with far greater fuel economy through smaller, more compact turbochargers.”

Within a few years, BMW hopes to move to an all-turbocharged lineup, like a Teutonic Saab. BMW continues to offer turbocharged versions of its 3.0-liter six-cylinder powerplant – like in the 335i.

The BMW straight-six can draw its history from the Big Six series, the successor and further development of the legendary Neue Klasse. Over the years, BMW sixes have powered everything from the M1 race car to the “sharknose” 6-series, from powerful M5s and M3s to even the most mundane 730i. It’s the engine that made the company; it’s to BMW what flat-sixes are to Porsche and rotaries are to Mazdas. And now that it’s been killed off, well—the world of cars seems a little more homogenized as a result.

Ironically, the Senior Six was developed as a replacement for the Neue Klass’s M10 four-cylinder, the engine that powered the 2002—a car whose most legendary form came with a Turbo. The more things change, said Bon Jovi, the more things stay the same.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]

Ford‘s success streak rolls on, with the latest good news for the automaker coming as recognition of its leadership by Chief Executive magazine. The publication has announced Ford boss Alan Mulally is its 2011 CEO of the Year.

Nominated by magazine readers, the top 10 picks were then chose and the title decided by a committee of peers. With the award Mulally joins the ranks of past winners like Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Michael Dell, A.G. Lafley, John Chambers, Anne Mulcahy, Larry Bossidy, Andy Grove and Herb Kelleher.

Those same peers had plenty of accolades to bestow upon Mulally with the announcement of his win.

“The turnaround and triumph of Ford is an amazing success story, due largely to his talents, leadership and courage,” said Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant, winner of last year’s prize “It’s a turnaround not only of an American icon but more importantly, a global icon, as well.”

“The success he showed in the face of incredible difficulty was just extraordinary,” said James Turley, chairman and CEO, Ernst & Young. “The foresight he showed throughout the process, the courage he showed in making some tough decisions on popular brands, the global mindset he showed, and above all, the statesmanship he showed when two major competitors were on the public dole shows he was thinking for the good of the country as well as his company and industry.”

Mulally will be the guest of honor at a private event at the New York Stock Exchange in July.

Click here to read the latest Ford vehicle reviews

Nissan has emerged from the global economic downturn as a powerhouse, quietly growing but without grabbing headlines like Ford or Hyundai have. Now the Japanese automaker has unveiled a new business plan titled “Nissan Power 88″ that aims to grow its share of the global market to 8 percent, while bringing operating profit to a sustainable 8 percent.

The strategy is a global one and includes growth in all markets. How exactly Nissan aims to do this is has been laid out, in brief, in a statement released by the automaker. First, and perhaps most impressive, is news that Nissan will launch one all-new model every six weeks, starting immediately and for the next six years. In total, Nissan aims to offer a global portfolio of 66 vehicles, competing in 92 percent of all markets and market segments.

In addition, Nissan will grow its electric vehicle size, with planned sales of EVs from the combined Renault-Nissan Alliance to hit 1.5 million units by 2016. With new green car innovations will come technological advancements of all sorts, with a planned 90 new innovations over the next six years.

The commercial vehicle arm of Nissan will also grow in significance and the automaker claims it will be the, “world’s leading light commercial vehicle manufacturer” by 2016.

To help support all this growth Nissan is planning to expand its retail sales network from a current level of 6,000 points of sale, to 7,500 in the mid-term of its Power 88 plan.

And of course, what business plan would be complete without projected strong sales in emerging markets like China, where Nissan aims for a 10 percent market share. In addition, Brazil will get a new plant, while Nissan plans further expansion in India and Russia.

As for the Infiniti luxury division, it is projected to grow by more than triple, from the current 150,000 units annually to over 500,000. Along with strong branding support with its current Formula One tie-in, plans include a growth of products, with dealerships to offer at least 10 different models by the end of 2016.

“Nissan Power 88 is the roadmap for our company’s profitable growth,” said Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. “We will accelerate our growth, bringing more innovation and excitement to our products and services as well as cleaner, more affordable cars for everyone around the world, in line with the energy and environmental challenges of the 21st century.”

In car-crazy, luxury-crazy China, sales are booming across the board—except for poor, beleaguered Infiniti. Nissan aims to correct that.

Infiniti is looking to double its current sales in China by the end of the year. Currently, Infiniti sold 160,000 cars around the world last year, including markets in China and America. Meanwhile, Lexus sold 400,000 in that same amount of time.

The market in China is lucrative, with 1.1 million people rightly considered millionaires, and an economy that will expand 9.6 percent this year. So far, Nissan’s sales in China will increase to 1.15 million vehicles. To double their luxury car sales, in a country that’s crazy for both cars and upwards consumption, shouldn’t be difficult.

[Source: SFGate]