[Roadsters] 50th anniversary

[Paul Courson]

Hi Dave, you're a realist, and your analysis is probably what governs
the situation.

But,

One must remember that the Japanese culture is steeped in history, and
its people are very respectful of the broadest concept of "heritage."
For this reason alone, a corporation seeking to affirm its roots would
have reasons beyond an economic equation to showcase a tangible
example of that longevity.

Numerically, the 311 is in a far stronger position to be seen by the
public at large than, say, BMW's 507, the Mercedes gullwing, and the
Ferrari 330 GTS, just to name a few that turn my head, seldom as that
takes place.

Two of those three automakers have a significant stake in the U.S.
market, and regularly tout their heritage in television advertising
showing historic models that are no longer made.

Nissan, struggling to regain what many would consider its former glory
in the U.S. under the DATSUN banner, could easily cash in on a huge
opportunity to tie its history to the current American marketplace
with the cool little sports car we own.

The fact the majority of the U.S. public is unaware of the 311 would
possibly help, not hurt, the impact of a properly crafted campaign and
commemoration of 50 years since that car's production began.

Finally, the "garage" series of Nissan ads a few years ago included
the 311, proud and prominent.  Someone simply needs to link a few
scattered neurons in the corporate mindset, and maybe there could be a
spark.

Go for it !



On Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 3:08 PM, dave n <sumton at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> please don't flame me; I have a roadster.
>
> if I were corporate, I would have figured out that 95% of America have no
> clue what a roadster is. B and of the remaining 5%, 2% still think its an
mg
> or at least british.
>
> I bet at least 40% of the population are familiar with the z car in at
least
> one of its iterations. B so if I'm corporate, and I'm totally profit
> oriented, why would I try to bring publicity on a product that no one knows
> about, and is no longer made? B again, I'm just playing devil's advocate
> here. B what's in it for them?
>
> granted, you could say itb s the precurser, but no one thinks beyond the
> surface. B they don't look alike. B how could that be?
>
> the Z car is still made, so there's motivation to promote it and its
> history. B I'm just sayin. B I wish I thought otherwise