Preface
Introduction
01 The car - fashion item or out of fashion?
How the car lost its advantage - emotional and functional rationales
Changes in societal values and the role of the car
The emergence of branded society
Aestheticization
Aestheticization of marketing channels: an extension of car makers' corporate identity programmes
Generational differences and the paradox of car image
02 Competition, market structure and global challenges
Herd behaviour: car makers apply similar strategies
Being proactive - a sign of competitive and sustainable strategies
Marketing intelligence and driving markets
Transparency
Business overlap - competition gets tougher
Balancing traditional and emerging countries
03 Marketing channels
Dealers will be necessary for the foreseeable future
Tensions between car makers, their national sales companies and dealers
Dealer control and channel power balance
Manufacturer-owned or franchised dealers?
Solus, dual or multi-franchising?
Competition from unauthorized actors
Model range expansion and complexity
Push and pull: a key indicator of industry health?
04 Car buyer behaviour
Buyers being less loyal - driving forces and effects
The shifting power balance between companies and buyers
Car buyer preferences
Country differences
05 Car cultures
The car as a cultural expression - a global phenomenon
History of car culture
The car and other means of transport
Differences across countries
06 Automobile brands
Auto brands are very valuable
The foundation of strong brands
Strong and weak auto brands
Weak brands - characteristics and implications
Stuck in the middle - brands with premium aspirations
How to deal with weak auto brands
Brands with a broader purpose give brand extension opportunities
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
The Volkswagen Group
Porsche
General Motors
Volvo
Jaguar and Range Rover
Hyundai and Kia
Ford
Premium aspiration brands - a difficult position
The future of premium brands
Where has Mondeo Man gone? Premium brands going mass market
Beyond premium brands? Emerging values and consumer attitudes
The auto brand portfolio
07 Sustainable business models
Sustainability - an absolute requirement in the future
Avoid focusing too much on customer satisfaction
Successful marketing communications
One-stop shopping - a competitive advantage in transparent markets?
Small-scale or large-scale advantages
Successful dealer business models
The car industry: a great place to work?
Translating good ideas into action: a difficult path
08 The car in the future
Mobility in the future: sustainable and individual mobility
The self-driving car
Alternative fuels
Future purchase criteria - the broader picture
References
Index