People are generally adverse to change. You can’t expect the Unions to give up being unions for the sake of it. However, if there were compelling alternatives then maybe that could persuade.

Watching the news up here, the Unions are not willing to budge. (((sigh)))

I understand where your coming from and understand how Facebook can work in other industries and initiatives. But in the context of automotive, and seeing it from the perspective of a potential customer, I wouldn’t go onto Facebook, I would ignore Facebook if it appeared on my Google search and EVEN IF I did go on and read what a dealership had to say, I don’t think it would influence me to purchase from them.

I believe that if the website is a manufacturer or C2C website then Facebook can play a good part. Consumers are looking for recommendations and reviews on brands and models of car to help them decide which to buy. Only 19% of consumers at the moment are even considering this type of social medium when researching their purchase online. http://www.vlane.com is such a site that can and do use Facebook to promote their site, but they aren’t a dealership.

Again, I’m looking at it mainly from my 12 years web experience, 8 of which in automotive in the UK, so it might all be different in the USA.

If you haven’t already check out the Cap Gemini Report 08/09 to gain an insight into what people are doing online.

Cheers

Steve

You can also go broad and create groups… your business group, scion group, local ford group etc… etc…

You stated something key, “consumers are very unlikely to use Facebook in their buying process”.

This would be because dealers do not use Facebook in the buying process. As dealers learn to find ways for using Facebook as part of the buying process then I would expect your customers to naturally become a part of that process.

Think of the telephone, fax, and email. Well, the phone might be a stretch b\c it has been around as long as selling cars has, but when fax and email first hit the scene they were not part of the car buying process. But today they are a staple.

My post presents a real-world use for Facebook with dealers and their customers and I hope to experiment with it on some of my dealership customers. I am confident it would help the dealer build their Facebook network which if done consistently would indeed lead to sales.

Appreciate the response Steve and let me know if there is anything with which I can be of assistance for you.

-Ryan

Or am I missing something?

Wright was certainly a huge piece of the Floyd sound. Without him, you would not have much of the band’s sound (vocally as well), and even some of its best songs (Us and Them, Great Gig In The Sky). He will be missed, but you are right - through the brand he’ll live on.

I posted a tribute at my blog too, at http://isorski.blogspot.com/2008/09/pink-floyds-richard-wright-passes-at-65.html.

Thanks
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