Dealer Model launches
Discussion
When I was a nipper there would be a frisson of excitement in the air at the impending launch of a new model. I remember attending the unveiling of the Mini Metro at a local BL dealer. Unsurprisingly I have no memory of the Metro itself and my parents had no intention of buying one, but I do still vividly recall Tony Pond's TR7 V8 Rally Car that the Dealer had brought along for the evening. I also remember being jealous when my parents purchased a red, white and blue BL Motorsport jumpsuit from the regalia desk for my brother.
This was in the days before Auto-Express existed and their fascination with buying scoop photos of pre-production prototypes from spy photographers at the 'Ring, so Joe Public really didn't know what to expect when the dust sheet was finally pulled off the new car at his local dealer.
Nowadays the existence of PH and so on means we're continually drip-fed information and all these pointless teaser photos. It's almost as if the cars are familiar before you even see your first one on the road. So, despite being a fairly regular buyer of new cars, I no longer have any interest in attending those dealer launch events. Still at least my kids won't end up mentally scarred from wearing bell-bottomed jumpsuits.
This was in the days before Auto-Express existed and their fascination with buying scoop photos of pre-production prototypes from spy photographers at the 'Ring, so Joe Public really didn't know what to expect when the dust sheet was finally pulled off the new car at his local dealer.
Nowadays the existence of PH and so on means we're continually drip-fed information and all these pointless teaser photos. It's almost as if the cars are familiar before you even see your first one on the road. So, despite being a fairly regular buyer of new cars, I no longer have any interest in attending those dealer launch events. Still at least my kids won't end up mentally scarred from wearing bell-bottomed jumpsuits.
Back in 1988 I went to an evening at Chariots in St Albans who were the Porsche Dealers at the time. We had a chance to drive the 944 Turbo, various 911's and the goodie bag given away was outstanding. Nobody seems to do these anymore which is a shame because I am certain that some decent sales leads were generated and it raised awareness about the range and availability of cars.
belleair302 said:
Back in 1988 I went to an evening at Chariots in St Albans who were the Porsche Dealers at the time. We had a chance to drive the 944 Turbo, various 911's and the goodie bag given away was outstanding. Nobody seems to do these anymore which is a shame because I am certain that some decent sales leads were generated and it raised awareness about the range and availability of cars.
The Porsche network are just doing this now for their new Cayman. I went to one last week. No drives on the day but you could book a test drive. belleair302 said:
Back in 1988 I went to an evening at Chariots in St Albans who were the Porsche Dealers at the time. We had a chance to drive the 944 Turbo, various 911's and the goodie bag given away was outstanding. Nobody seems to do these anymore which is a shame because I am certain that some decent sales leads were generated and it raised awareness about the range and availability of cars.
Good point. We also attended the introduction of the 944 S2 and were given a good chance to drive it. I still remembering it as being quite a fast car, primarily because I was squeezed up on the back seat and every time my Dad gave it some beans, I would bang my head on the roof crossmember.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff