My Trip to Detroit Auto Show and Meetings with Ford

[Jimrpa]

Pretty much. First clues: look in the Rally discussions and watch @Mach-E VLOG’s videos from the Detroit Auto Show.

Ok. Watching @Mach-E VLOG videos is always fun ?

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[Jimrpa]

I agree that all brands attempt to manage their image. When the manufacturers listen to their users and influencers and act on those I have no issue with that. But it has to be both. Having influencers or YouTubers show off their product is fine. What I take issue with is the way it's done. Most all companies will announce something publicly and THEN give it to people to try. This is true with new phones etc. The public however gets to see it first. In this case it goes to the "influencers" and we have to go on a scavenger hunt and sift through YT videos to find it? That's wack.

My comment has nothing to do with reviews or post public announcement features/products. That's normal marketing. Rivian gives the public opportunity to complain and responds in public events and Reddit. Ford invites people who have an agenda to "complain". I think we agree completely but they are separate issues and somehow being combined as one in the same.

So, here’s my take on it: I don’t mind them giving vehicles to “friendly influencers” to promote. However, I think the “friendly influencers” should be up-front about it and say “Hey, Ford gave me an all-electric Lincoln Mark E coupe for a week, and asked me to tell you how wonderful it is.” I’m convinced that 99.999% of Tesla YouTube influencers are, in some way subsidized by Elon.
Also, they should allow some “neutral” parties access to vehicles early on as well.

 

[Jimrpa]

Most all companies will announce something publicly and THEN give it to people to try. This is true with new phones etc. The public however gets to see it first. In this case it goes to the "influencers" and we have to go on a scavenger hunt and sift through YT videos to find it? That's wack.

I thought many companies gave select reviews samples of products shortly before launch with some kind of “embargo” clause? Isn’t that how apple products are able to have reviews out on launch day?

 

[DevSecOps]

I thought many companies gave select reviews samples of products shortly before launch with some kind of “embargo” clause? Isn’t that how apple products are able to have reviews out on launch day?

True but they have to wait for the public announcement. That's my point. They don't send people back who attempt to financially capitalize on unreleased information.

 

[Jimrpa]

True but they have to wait for the public announcement. That's my point. They don't send people back who attempt to financially capitalize on unreleased information.

Some of them do. There’s this guy - I think his name is marques brown - who seems to be quite popular and seems to get all kinds of gadgets (Apple Vision Pro and Cadillac Lyriq) before they’re even out. And clearly he’s making a mint on it.

 

[DevSecOps]

Some of them do. There’s this guy - I think his name is marques brown - who seems to be quite popular and seems to get all kinds of gadgets (Apple Vision Pro and Cadillac Lyriq) before they’re even out. And clearly he’s making a mint on it.

But they were already announced and made public. Marketing a product by use of influencers is smart business.

For example, if YouTubers are making videos of BC 1.3 I think that's more than appropriate. We know it's coming direct from Ford. Leaking unreleased information on the new MachE passenger ejection seat for views isn't the same.

 

[Hammered]

So, here’s my take on it: I don’t mind them giving vehicles to “friendly influencers” to promote. However, I think the “friendly influencers” should be up-front about it and say “Hey, Ford gave me an all-electric Lincoln Mark E coupe for a week, and asked me to tell you how wonderful it is.” I’m convinced that 99.999% of Tesla YouTube influencers are, in some way subsidized by Elon.
Also, they should allow some “neutral” parties access to vehicles early on as well.

That's a pretty bold statement and to have such done violates the law. Any financial favors in regards to a product review must clearly be stated. To do otherwise crosses both legal and ethical boundaries.

If you have reason to believe that unjust enrichment occurred and was not disclosed, feel free to refer the issue to the FTC. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-255.

 

[Jimrpa]

But they were already announced and made public. Marketing a product by use of influencers is smart business.

Ah, gotcha. I didn’t think anyone got access to unannounced products. My bad.

 

[Jimrpa]

That's a pretty bold statement and to have such done violates the law. Any financial favors in regards to a product review must clearly be stated. To do otherwise crosses both legal and ethical boundaries.

If you have reason to believe that unjust enrichment occurred and was not disclosed, feel free to refer the issue to the FTC. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-255.

? I was unaware there was such a law and I wasn’t accusing anyone of illegal behavior. I was simply stating a personal preference. I can assure you that, beyond A Plan and X Plan, I’ve never received anything that could be construed as a “financial favor” from the Ford Motor Company (oh, wait, does a stainless steel coffee tumbler count as a “financial favor”? ?)

 

[The Electric Duo]

So, here’s my take on it: I don’t mind them giving vehicles to “friendly influencers” to promote. However, I think the “friendly influencers” should be up-front about it and say “Hey, Ford gave me an all-electric Lincoln Mark E coupe for a week, and asked me to tell you how wonderful it is.” I’m convinced that 99.999% of Tesla YouTube influencers are, in some way subsidized by Elon.
Also, they should allow some “neutral” parties access to vehicles early on as well.

I thought many companies gave select reviews samples of products shortly before launch with some kind of “embargo” clause? Isn’t that how apple products are able to have reviews out on launch day?

A couple of notes now that we actually get to be included on some of these media things.

First of all, I wanted to just say that we had media credentials to the Detroit Auto Show so the Ford meetings were just a bonus for us. Our biggest video from the Detroit Auto Show (or any Auto Show) is the "All EVs tour." We find every EV that we can find and don't limit it to any brand.

As for press/influencer reviews of cars....

First of all, press and influencers are treated differently. Influencers will often get paid and get gifts, nicer accommodations, upgraded flights, etc. if there is travel involved. The press will generally get economy airfare and hotel covered -- and some nice meals. From the outside, both can feel like people are influenced by the stuff being given to them. Some outlets refuse everything and pay their own way.

For new vehicles, there may be an early preview drive event where they fly a bunch of people out and they getting product briefings and get the drive the vehicle for a couple of hours. Any articles or videos are not allowed to be released until a certain date. Often this is because they may do multiple events and they want all the media outlets to be treated equally. We've gotten to do two of these type of events, and quite honestly, they are not that worth it to us. We have to take time off from our day jobs and then only get a couple of hours with the car. We lose money doing these events.

What we prefer is getting media loaners. We get to borrow the car for a week and then write a review and make a video. There are no strings attached. We reviewed the Lexus RZ450e and trashed the range and charging a lot, but that is OK.

Of course, Tesla does things differently. The don't do media drive events or media loaners. But, they do give referral credits that are pretty significant. And it is not limited to influencers - everyone with a Tesla can get these referral credits. It makes me doubt anything a Tesla influencer says way more than someone that covers multiple brands for the media.

 

[Jimrpa]

A couple of notes now that we actually get to be included on some of these media things.

First of all, I wanted to just say that we had media credentials to the Detroit Auto Show so the Ford meetings were just a bonus for us. Our biggest video from the Detroit Auto Show (or any Auto Show) is the "All EVs tour." We find every EV that we can find and don't limit it to any brand.

As for press/influencer reviews of cars....

First of all, press and influencers are treated differently. Influencers will often get paid and get gifts, nicer accommodations, upgraded flights, etc. if there is travel involved. The press will generally get economy airfare and hotel covered -- and some nice meals. From the outside, both can feel like people are influenced by the stuff being given to them. Some outlets refuse everything and pay their own way.

For new vehicles, there may be an early preview drive event where they fly a bunch of people out and they getting product briefings and get the drive the vehicle for a couple of hours. Any articles or videos are not allowed to be released until a certain date. Often this is because they may do multiple events and they want all the media outlets to be treated equally. We've gotten to do two of these type of events, and quite honestly, they are not that worth it to us. We have to take time off from our day jobs and then only get a couple of hours with the car. We lose money doing these events.

What we prefer is getting media loaners. We get to borrow the car for a week and then write a review and make a video. There are no strings attached. We reviewed the Lexus RZ450e and trashed the range and charging a lot, but that is OK.

Of course, Tesla does things differently. The don't do media drive events or media loaners. But, they do give referral credits that are pretty significant. And it is not limited to influencers - everyone with a Tesla can get these referral credits. It makes me doubt anything a Tesla influencer says way more than someone that covers multiple brands for the media.

Cool! Thanks for an “inside peek” on how the processes work!

 

[Hammered]

? I was unaware there was such a law and I wasn’t accusing anyone of illegal behavior. I was simply stating a personal preference. I can assure you that, beyond A Plan and X Plan, I’ve never received anything that could be construed as a “financial favor” from the Ford Motor Company (oh, wait, does a stainless steel coffee tumbler count as a “financial favor”? ?)

I think most acknowledge any financial perks quite clearly, in-fact they even show what's being given. That's the way to do it. Often when dealing with my own interactions, I try not only to provide free items, but take it up a notch by delivering products that can also be given out in some form of free / random means.

Speaking of which I just got my "free" emergency broadcast message ?

 

[SWO]

That's a pretty bold statement and to have such done violates the law. Any financial favors in regards to a product review must clearly be stated. To do otherwise crosses both legal and ethical boundaries.

If you have reason to believe that unjust enrichment occurred and was not disclosed, feel free to refer the issue to the FTC. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-255.

What would you call it when someone puts their Tesla referral code in their videos? Do you think that makes them more or less incentivized to say critical things about Tesla?

What if you're paid by Magna - do you think that makes you less likely to say bad things about the ID4 which has major components made by them - or maybe a chinese car designed by them?

Then there's the most simple form of payment - if you say bad things about a car, the company stops inviting you to 5-star resorts to be wined and dined.

It's not always so black and white.

 

[Hammered]

What would you call it when someone puts their Tesla referral code in their videos? Do you think that makes them more or less incentivized to say critical things about Tesla?

Is the referral code not a two way street? The typical influencer copypasta they put on each video is way over the top -- it's just spam. I don't use any influencer links ever, be it amazon, tesla, or otherwise. I'll click it, extract the item out, and then use my own or someone else's via another browser breaking any / all referral links.

As to the question of "does a referral link drive opinion" -- Yes, to an extent. There's no referral link / reward that can polish a turd though. Kyle for example tests every EV he can get his hands on, and from an external appearance provides a fair overview of products / services. Their primary cars are a porsche and a rivian last I paid attention. It's pretty difficult to really say he promotes tesla any more or less because of a referral link. Now a channel that only talks about tesla, they're probably simping hard using all means to drive revenue or buy favor with them.

I think you'd find it to be a futile effort to find someone who watched 1 video about a tesla and just had to go and order one. Impulse buying of a vehicle is done more in-person, and tesla just doesn't have many locations where one can drive one, let alone leave same-day. When I see some nonsense I'll call it out. People know what a referral link is and must use it while purchasing to provide any benefit.

The most recent BS I've come across is Munro's cybertruck bottle opener they're hocking for something like $150. The whole "help us buy and teardown a cybertruck" video they did was just horseshit to put it nicely - not exactly referral link associated but they're selling bullshit under false pretenses. I flamed them on that nonsense, and apparently others did too. I liked one idea put forth regarding "investment for profit sharing". The backlash had them make a subsequent video trying to justify the nonsense, particularly considering their complete reports often cost as much as a vehicle.

The 'joke' bottle openers (I can produce these for less than $2/ea)


The reply post-backlash (the math here is off, furthermore their decision to hold onto parts they could sell vs house is just a bad practice particularly around new vehicles where other shops would be more than happy to buy the parts at a premium to get them 'now')


That's some disingenuous nonsense they also did with the model S. That I take exception with. It's tangent, but related.

 

[DevSecOps]

The most recent BS I've come across is Munro's cybertruck bottle opener they're hocking for something like $150.

I love watching Sandy, but these are some of the most hideous looking bottle openers I've ever seen for $150. Those wheels, c'mon!

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