Getting yourself on car launches / testing days....
Getting yourself on car launches / testing days....
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Discussion

Zircon

Original Poster:

305 posts

197 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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My boss has just told me that he has been invited to the launch of a new Maserati due to go on sale.

He drives a couple of oldish Jags - '98 XK8, '01 S-type and an '06 Mazda MX5 - so its not like he has bought new cars recently which seems to trigger interest in customers for new cars.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get yourself on lists to get to launches or driving days???

christofmccracke

881 posts

216 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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they are usually invitation only for high end stuff

RobM77

35,349 posts

250 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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I've only attended one, and that was the 1 series launch, but it was great! A friend of mine and I got to try one on track, on a skidpan for a demo of DSC, an extended road test drive and then for something different, an X3 on a challenging off road course. I got on that one because my friend had registered an interest in buying a new MINI. I think the events are worth every penny though as it really sold the 1 series to me. Yes, I did nearly buy one, but decided against it in the end, but it was a very positive sales experience in my opinion - I need to actually drive a car to decide whether I want it or not.

Zad

12,861 posts

252 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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You can probably sign up on the Maserati web site, at which point they may ask you various questions about what car you have, how often you buy a new one etc. I'm sure that some answers will be more likely to give you preferential treatment than others...

mr_tony

6,339 posts

285 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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First you end up on a list for 'premium banking services' - and whether or not you take these, I'm sure the banks then sell this information to other companies who see you as a likely target for their products.

To get on that kind of list, it helps to have a 6 figure amount in cash sat in your bank. So your boss may not have an expensive car, but he probably does have a nice bank balance, which makes him a viable customer.

These companies aren't in the habit of inviting test pilots who cannot afford their products to these events.

That goes for the expensive end of the market. I'm sure for more attainable cars then as others have said filling out the form can make you look like a viable customer. It might work for the premium end too if you can give an convincingly expensive address etc, who knows..


Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 10th February 15:43

Robatr0n

12,362 posts

232 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
I've only attended one, and that was the 1 series launch, but it was great! A friend of mine and I got to try one on track, on a skidpan for a demo of DSC, an extended road test drive and then for something different, an X3 on a challenging off road course. I got on that one because my friend had registered an interest in buying a new MINI. I think the events are worth every penny though as it really sold the 1 series to me. Yes, I did nearly buy one, but decided against it in the end, but it was a very positive sales experience in my opinion - I need to actually drive a car to decide whether I want it or not.
At the Pro-Drive track in Banbury I take it?

RobM77

35,349 posts

250 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
quotequote all
Robatr0n said:
RobM77 said:
I've only attended one, and that was the 1 series launch, but it was great! A friend of mine and I got to try one on track, on a skidpan for a demo of DSC, an extended road test drive and then for something different, an X3 on a challenging off road course. I got on that one because my friend had registered an interest in buying a new MINI. I think the events are worth every penny though as it really sold the 1 series to me. Yes, I did nearly buy one, but decided against it in the end, but it was a very positive sales experience in my opinion - I need to actually drive a car to decide whether I want it or not.
At the Pro-Drive track in Banbury I take it?
Rockingham. it may not have been a 1 series launch day, but it was early in the life of the model.

The funniest bit was the road test. We weren't allowed to lark about on the track (fast and neat please!), and surprisingly, not on the skid pan either (that was purely a demonstration of the DSC..). So, when it came to the solo road test, every roundabout within miles was full of 1 series Beemers squealing the tyres and generally pratting around hehe

Seriously though - great car - I was very impressed.

Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 10th February 19:09

Webber3

1,228 posts

235 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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Go into HR Owen and enquire about buying something expensive and you may start to get some invites for other marques.

norby1

472 posts

189 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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I have been to a few, 2 were Renault days when you could drive whatever you wanted (this being before the decent RenaultSport stuff came out), so we were trying things like a Vel Satis, Avantime etc.

Also been to a couple of dealer launches, one for the new Vectra, the one just after the Mk3 Cavalier and one for the Alfa 147.. Not sure how I got those 2 invites, but the Renault ones were because I test drove a Clio. Didn't buy one though.

WeirdNeville

6,021 posts

231 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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I went to a Porsche day at the Porsche centre at Silverstone, it was for the Launch of the Boxster Spider. Spend all day there, a good 3 hours driving the Boxster, Boxster S, Tiptronic and the Spider of course, handling circuit, skidpan, and loads of fun was had. Even got a free 3 course lunch.
I got on it because a friend had bought a nearly new Boxster S from a Porsche Dealer, she was in PR so knew how to turn on the charm and hassle hassle hassle to get the day. She blagged 2 extra spaces too. The day was worth around £400 (for the format of the day) even when specced as an option when buying the car, so to do it all for free was brilliant.

I've just been turned down for the Evo Lotus Evora Day though. A crying shame, I would have loved to experience that car at Silverstone.

Luck, Hassle, and dropping some serious cash on a related car go a long way I would expect.

J500ANT

3,101 posts

255 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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I went to Millbrook for the Insignia and Astra launch ride and drive events. Ex Vauxhall owner got me the first, shameful blagging the second (for 2 friends as well!)

williamp

19,861 posts

289 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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Not quite the same, but one day I popped into the Aston dealership on park lane. Asked if I could have a look around, fine they said etc..

On the desk they had a small stand with A5 fliers about an event at the
Gaydon motor museum- to shift lots of old stock, perspective owners could try a selection of cars. Wahts this? I enquired, and the Lady behind the desk asked if I wanted to attend

"Yes". It was ideal, as I was on my way to Bath for a party later that same day.

I arrived at gaydon to a very warm welocme, with free brochures and a selection of Astons- DB7 and Vanquish laid out. They took my name, then I was told to have a look around.

Heading for the vanquish, someone asked if I'd like a drive. Fantastic!!!

At no point did anyone ask whether I wanted to buy one (of course), or if I had the means to buy one (of course not), or if they should check my name and close the deal (they didnt). They just assumed someone else had qualified me, found out I was a keen buyer etc etc.

It was quite an experience, and the closest I have got to a car launch!

Zad

12,861 posts

252 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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The bit that might help most is: what were you wearing? Civvies? Business suit? Expensive bespoke suit? Watch?

deveng

3,920 posts

196 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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Design part of the car.

Blue Oval84

5,330 posts

177 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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Zad said:
The bit that might help most is: what were you wearing? Civvies? Business suit? Expensive bespoke suit? Watch?
I never seem to dress to the dealership's tastes judging by how they normally deal with me. smile

I have however found that I get more attention now that I have a decent looking car (and am consequently so skint that I can't bloody well afford another car!)

Waugh-terfall

18,488 posts

216 months

Thursday 10th February 2011
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Guess it depends on where you go and what you buy, My Dad's been invited to launches of the TT and R8 at a showroom of the group he bought his car from.

My ex-girlfriends Dad bought a new Porsche Boxster S, which was written off shortly after, so he got another on the insurance and was invited to the launch of the then new (facelift) Cayenne.

A mates Dad has bought BMWs new for years with his company and gets invited to launches, last one I remember was a trip to the Nurburgring for play time with the new M3

Blue Oval84

5,330 posts

177 months

Friday 11th February 2011
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I've visited Gaydon for the Vantage Homecoming event. Fantastic seeing them being made.

They let me play with a V12 too. Will never forget that!

I think a little bit of wee actually came out. biggrin

EDIT - Got carried away there and forgot to disclose that to get there I went with an owner who had an invite from Aston Martin directly.

Zircon

Original Poster:

305 posts

197 months

Friday 11th February 2011
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Thanks guys

I don't think I really thought through the connotations of all of this....

I have actually been on a Honda day getting to thrash an S2000, Civic Type R, some scooters and a lawn mower smile around a track as my mother-in-law bought a used MX5. It was a brilliant day and I would love to do it again.

Part of me wants to do the responsible thing in these economic days of darkness and not take advantage of this kind of thing when I am not in a position to buy one of the cars.

However, the petrolhead in me thinks that I amm never going to be lucky enough to drive one of these cars (Masser, Jag, etc) and I should enjoy myself at their expense!