"Family Marketing" For Cars Catches On

Washington DC January 3, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that ”as marketing budgets tighten and family structures change, automakers are looking for new ways to promote family-friendly vehicles,” reported Automotive News.

According to Chrysler Family Marketing Specialist Maria Bailey, single moms are the fastest growing segment of the population. "If (automakers) don’t talk to these women with children, they are missing a huge part of the pie," Bailey says.

Mazda North American Operations is capitalizing on the new marketing trend by holding American Baby magazine’s "Casting Call,” a promotion that includes a nationwide search for the five cutest babies.

According to Automotive News, "Mazda5 models appeared at Babies "R" Us stores in eight U.S. cities from August to November 2005." The promotion includes a contest that will award a Mazda5 to a family.

CNW Marketing Research President Art Spinella predicts “automakers will soon be marketing to baby boomers to sell the vehicles that will transport their grandchildren.”