rpm autonomist, 2/19 - What in the world is happening?

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 08:00:04 -0800

This is a test introduction.

rpm autonomist, 2/12 - And so it begins...

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:38:24 -0800

Welcome to the rpm autonomist blog!

While I have a lifetime passion for cars, the automotive industry has been a significant part of my professional career for more than 25 years. To say I love the auto industry would be a gross understatement, and those that know me well know that to be very true.

I began in the advertising industry gaining an understanding of how to bring automotive brand and products to market. But as the years went by, in addition to my comprehensive background on the marketing side, I was fortunate enough to work on the OEM side to gain a deeper look into product development, production, sales (including forecasting), and the multitude of areas that make automotive such a special industry.

One of my favorite steps in my career was international consulting. Gaining a global view of how auto manufacturers plan their product, production, and marketing strategies was more eye opening than expected. Learning the strategies for saturated markets, emerging markets, and declining markets around the world gave me stunning insights into how complex the business process is when an industry is highly regulated in separate geographic areas. Standards for vehicle emissions, safety, environmental, unions, and various other regulatory mandates prescribe unique challenges that must be--and are--overcome by legions of very smart automotive minds. To be a part of that was a dream come true.

Today, however, the ball game has changed. There hasn’t been this significant of a transformation in the motor vehicle industry since man tied his last horse to a hitching post and grabbed a steering wheel. New, unexpected competitors are engaging the industry like never before. Google? Uber? Samsung? Yes, they are among many others aiming to challenge GM, Ford, and Toyota for a big piece of the changing automotive landscape. A landscape that will include more sharing and vehicle autonomy.

Given that new paradigm, it’s not just products. Every aspect evolving. I’ll be looking at marketing, media, sales, and other elements that will be revolutionized as we drive toward the horizon.

So I felt it was time to participate in helping the various entities that are engaged with the auto industry understand where things are going. Whether it’s an OEM or agency partner or supplier, my objective is to turn information into insights that can possibly drive actionable strategies.

rpm theautonomist

rpm autonomist, 2/19 - What in the world is happening?

rpm autonomist, 2/12 - And so it begins...