[escapen]

Gawker




http://gawker.com/tag/spies/

What Black Women Want: Toyota Espionage

Black women these days: they're just not buying enough Toyota Camrys. The car company's ad agency rep explains the problem: "[Black women] think of it as suburban, not urban; as solid but boring. And for this woman, she doesn't see herself as boring." Ha, you go girl! Well, ladies, Toyota likes to think of all of its customers as "sisters." And it knows just how to get you elusive African-American females to buy more of their boring suburban cars—with a crazy online fashion espionage game! Coincidentally, there's a black woman in it. And a Camry!

In the game, which makes its debut today, Bianca, a good-looking assistant designer at an urban fashion house, finds herself — and her new 2009 Camry — enmeshed in a world of espionage. A $5 million print, radio and online campaign that will run in media primarily consumed by African-American women aims to drive the target demographic to iflookscouldkill.com, a site where "fashion and espionage collide," said Susan Bonds, president of 42 Entertainment.
Naturally, Bianca's unwitting involvement in spy tradecraft will be assisted by Camry's onboard Bluetooth, navigation and push-button ignition system, all features that will be "seamlessly integrated" into the content, Ms. Bonds said.
Why Camry hasn't caught on with African-American women is something of a mystery.
​

Probably not enough espionage! "Probably because they really are bland"

 

[Carver]

These women, and all women, need Milans, not Camrys.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

What???
I'm confused...

 

[TuffG929]

I'm a little confused too.

 

[mbukukanyau]

The African American community is very royal to American brands, like Buick and Impala's.
You see lots of tricked out brand new Lucernes or Impalas in LA driven by young kids of African American decent.
They gives sisters rides in em. So what do you expect the sisters to drive? Impala's and malibus of course.

 

[TuffG929]

^^Not where I live.

 

[likearock00]

I won't even get into this....

 

[CrunkedRL]

Most of the black women I know in the age range of 23-35 want something with more style.....and not a boring, floaty riding, breadbox, appliance. To me style has no color barrier and an online game still is not going to change how lame the Camry looks when compared to it's cmpetition. Other midsize car entrys such as the Fusion/Mulan, Aura/Malibu, and the Mazda 6 give the consumer style and personality and as a result more minority women have bought them.

 

[DuallyMan]

I agree with ya on that. However, the black community is also helping killed many of GM cars and SUVs. Why? Because they ghettoize it which mainstream Americans shun.

The African American community is very royal to American brands, like Buick and Impala's.
You see lots of tricked out brand new Lucernes or Impalas in LA driven by young kids of African American decent.
They gives sisters rides in em. So what do you expect the sisters to drive? Impala's and malibus of course.

 

[TaHoE]

I agree with ya on that. However, the black community is also helping killed many of GM cars and SUVs. Why? Because they ghettoize it which mainstream Americans shun.

That is by far one of the most ridiculous posts that I have ever seen on GMI. Congratuations, you receive an award:
"The Most Unfounded Post on GMI":lame:

 

[Uzzy]

The African American community is very royal to American brands, like Buick and Impala's.
You see lots of tricked out brand new Lucernes or Impalas in LA driven by young kids of African American decent.
They gives sisters rides in em. So what do you expect the sisters to drive? Impala's and malibus of course.

And Pontiacs man, P.O.N.T.I.A.C.

 

[HoosierRon]

If someone asked "what do white men want?", the response would be: everything from a Silverado to a CTS Coupe to a 1970s muscle car.

Why is it that when it comes to minorities, group-think stereotypes are the rule of the day? Since when are all black women chic, urban professionals who view their car as a personal accessory?

 

[AndrewGS]

And Pontiacs man, P.O.N.T.I.A.C.

:lmao: I thought that was a southern thing. Racist. :


I love the cliche "you go girl!" thrown in there and the stereotypical assumption that all black people are "urban". And why are all blacks considered "African-American"? Our friend mbukukanyau is African-American because he immigrated from Africa, American-born blacks are black Americans just like I'm a white American. Why all the division? I guess I just don't "get" the race "issue".

 

[Uzzy]

:lmao: I thought that was a southern thing. Racist. :

Man, I live next to Detroit and went to school there for over 2 years. You think I've never heard that before? I've seen it! It's true!

 

[Carver]

:lmao: I thought that was a southern thing. Racist. :


I love the cliche "you go girl!" thrown in there and the stereotypical assumption that all black people are "urban". And why are all blacks considered "African-American"? Our friend mbukukanyau is African-American because he immigrated from Africa, American-born blacks are black Americans just like I'm a white American. Why all the division? I guess I just don't "get" the race "issue".

No, the terms black or black American are nearly useless as descriptors. There are lots of dark-skinned peoples in the world, many of whom do not share ethnicity with the people you call "black Americans."

I agree with ya on that. However, the black community is also helping killed many of GM cars and SUVs. Why? Because they ghettoize it which mainstream Americans shun.

If you would not buy a product because of what someone else did to that product, you are quite dumb, friend.

 

[TuffG929]

We are straying way too far off topic. The original issue was that this particular demographic, black american women, does not fovor the Camry. I think that despite sales figures, this is probably a growing trend among all demographics. The Camry is just boring. I don't think that's my bias talking. It is just uninspiring and boring. That is why Toyota unleashed Scion on the world.

 

[F14CRAZY]

If it helps, I don't let stereotypes affect my vehicle decisions. I'm a 20 y/o white straight male and bought a Forester with a lesbian stereotype and a Century with an old-person stereotype, and had a Mountaineer with a female stereotype...so?

 

[FenwickHockey65]

The African American community is very royal to American brands, like Buick and Impala's.
You see lots of tricked out brand new Lucernes or Impalas in LA driven by young kids of African American decent.
They gives sisters rides in em. So what do you expect the sisters to drive? Impala's and malibus of course.

Tricked out? I prefer to use the term "ruined."
I die a little bit inside every time I see an Impala with overly large rims, blacked out windows, lowered until the chassis is scraping the ground, and chrome all over the place.

 

[mbukukanyau]

Tricked out? I prefer to use the term "ruined."
I die a little bit inside every time I see an Impala with overly large rims, blacked out windows, lowered until the chassis is scraping the ground, and chrome all over the place.

I hate em too, I would not trick out my car. I buy it new how I want it and keep it that way.
That is not to say those that are into rims should not do their thing. Even Obama had a tricked out (ruined) 300C

 

[TuffG929]

^ Senator Perata used to have a tricked out charger.