Ford Credits Games Like Gran Turismo for Increased Brand Recognition
US automotive giant Ford is the latest car manufacturer to acknowledge the effect that video games have on brand recognition and vehicle sales, particularly in the 20-30 demographic.
In this November article in the New York Times, Ford cited research showing that the presence of their models in video games boosted brand awareness, brand loyalty and purchase intent by around a third, with gamers agreeing that certain models from the range were more fun to drive from their experiences in games alone. Since Ford’s official gaming debut in 1995 – with Sega Rally – they claim over 250 million copies of games with Ford models featured have shipped and with Ford a permanent fixture of Gran Turismo since the second game, 54 million of those games are Gran Turismo games. Ford even merited a cover car, with the iconic GT adorning the boxes of Gran Turismo 4, and has recently increased its PlayStation presence with a virtual showroom on PlayStation Home.
While the Times’ article also cites Honda and General Motors sources, this certainly isn’t the first time that Gran Turismo fans have heard car manufacturers citing games and Gran Turismo specifically for direct increase in sales. The first Gran Turismo game resulted in a six-fold increase in sales of TVRs in Japan while simultaneously being credited for the popularisation of the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in the USA, eventually leading to cars being exported to that market.
This is something of a double-edged sword for gamers, however. While we may be excited to see huge automotive corporations recognising the power of our hobby, it is merely as a marketing tool for them. Although many Gran Turismo fans clamour for the addition of older performance cars like the BMW E30 M3 or the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, buying old cars doesn’t lead directly to sales – though it may boost brand recognition – and they may be less interested in licensing a classic in place of a 2012 model in their showrooms today. Still, the gamers can hope – in the words of Gene Reamer of General Motors:
“You can’t buy your way into those games, you either have the cars they’re looking for or you don’t.”
So long as gamers use resources like GTPlanet’s Feedback section to let game manufacturers know what cars they want, the studios can licence the classics we desire alongside the new models the car companies want to sell to us.
GT5 Photomode images courtesy of RetroGiant.
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Newest comments are displayed first.
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February 12th, 2012 at 4:53 am - #=drifting24/7=
We need the 2010 Ford Mustang. It’s a new car still being featured in showrooms. Not a bad idea to add it to the GT5 car roster.
Also, make up your mind Porsche!! Don’t you like to see your cars being “perfectly” rendered in GT5??
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February 12th, 2012 at 4:59 am - #=drifting24/7=
One more thing…
FYI Porsche, Ferrari was more hesitant than you (arguably the most hesitant) in giving licenses of their cars to the Gran Turismo developers, because the guys at Ferrari want nothing but perfection. So Ferrari did it, Lamborghini did it, Maserati did it, why don’t you do the same thing, too?
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February 9th, 2012 at 12:02 am - #Jaketheflake420
I was just checking out Forza 4′s tracks and car list’s. It would be awesome to have some of the cars they have that GT5 doesnt.
I noticed alot more Race cars , GT cars and le mans cars. Also alot of the manufactures have alot more of the earlier year cars. kinda cool.-
February 9th, 2012 at 10:43 pm - #tpark103
I hate to admit it but I occasionally check out the pics on one of there blogs and I notice quite a few cars I wish we had. A wise man once told me that you can wish in one had and sh*** in the other hand and see wich one fills faster.
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February 6th, 2012 at 5:52 pm - #CHRISOHC
I bougth my first car 92 EG6 civic influenced by GT1 and my actual car civic Type R 8th also influenced by Gran Turismo. GT helps me to the final decision when I compare civics with another sport compacts.
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February 5th, 2012 at 7:50 am - #Flaco13
…in the words of Gene Reamer of General Motors: “You can’t buy your way into those games, you either have the cars they’re looking for or you don’t.”
Mr. Reamer,
YOU have them! Now give them to us! GM specific: the scream for Cadillac V’s is so loud by now it should hall all over Detroit. The love for Opel/Vauxhall shown here could increase a bit, tho I’m sure many ppl want them. Same goes for Holden. And even your Korean Chevy badged Daewoo’s such as the Cruze are gaining popularity. (drove 1 as a rental car, its not bad, for the price I’d even say it’s really good).
So GM, get active!
PD, more Ford’s more GM more of anything, but please fill the hole of underrated missing cars before giving us new Spec’s of already existing ones.
Boss Mustang and the E30 M3 would make good start.
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February 4th, 2012 at 3:59 am - #slick1ru2
Well, I hope Porsche execs read this item. Duh.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 10:41 pm - #Sylon
If only Porsche would feel the same way as Ford and stop being so anal about not allowing PD to use their name.
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February 4th, 2012 at 3:35 am - #TokoTurismo
I know right. I’m beginning to forget there was Porsche. :(
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February 5th, 2012 at 11:28 pm - #AndeMoog
Too bad EA has exclusive rights to Porsche…until that changes, you’ll only be able to drive Porsches in sh*t games like Need for Speed, which is an arcade game, not a realistic simulation like GT5 and Forza. What a shame! PD, spend whatever amount is necessary to get the rights to Porsche. How amazing would it be to have the new 991 version of the 911 in GT5? How about the 918 Spyder, Carrera GT, Turbo S, GT3 RS 4.0, GT2 RS…..
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February 3rd, 2012 at 9:12 pm - #whiteboy97
need the new caddy cts-v
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February 3rd, 2012 at 8:09 pm - #eightlives
Can we please get a new mustang in the next update :)
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February 3rd, 2012 at 7:59 pm - #BrazilianGTFan
See Porsche? Wake up! xD
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February 3rd, 2012 at 4:41 pm - #TokoTurismo
Gran Turismo is my legend, legend for my love for cars. :) My first time playing it was in GT2 when I was a kid. I played it even when I didn’t had a memory card. But it really showed me what cars were all about. I agree that Gran Turismo 5 and the Gran Turismo series is by far the best of the best series in the whole world for car lovers all over to experience. :D
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February 3rd, 2012 at 3:55 pm - #peter_vod69
Ford wasn’t in Sega Rally.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 3:51 pm - #Brunskill777
No doubt in my mind, Gran Turismo 5 is the best game EVER! My love of cars never dwindles while I’m on GT.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 pm - #GRAFX21
There is no doubt by playing GranTurismo since the beginning only made me love cars more and I have also learned much more and recognized more brands etc. Gran Turismo is an amazing game. It is not perfect but damn near. I love it.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 5:17 pm - #LMSCorvetteGT2
So does that mean we can expect to see more fords? I mean if GT is to be thanked surely a few more Fords like the GT500 2012 should be given to PD at a low premium due to sales and brand recognition boosting.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 2:40 pm - #mazdaman83
And that’s also the reason they are not so keen on visual damage ;-)
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February 2nd, 2012 at 2:54 pm - #TokoTurismo
+1 Listen to his sentence. *v*
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February 2nd, 2012 at 1:36 pm - #seanchump
It’s interesting that auto manufacturers tout the praises of GT as a sales tool but I often wonder why all latest models are not included. Most exotics are there but it seems mid range sub compact group takes a back seat. Wouldn’t every manufacture want all of their vehicles in the game? It makes me think that the bottleneck is with PD and not the other way around
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February 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 pm - #leeson65
Back on subject; Great article Jordan! It’s amazing what A {sic} video game can do:
“The first Gran Turismo game resulted in a six-fold increase in sales of TVRs in Japan while simultaneously being credited for the popularisation of the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in the USA, eventually leading to cars being exported to that market.”
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February 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 pm - #Blood*Specter
Yes tika, Sweeds make pretty good phones. And how about Jet fighters? Yeah, your right, USA cant walk and chew gum at the same time. You’re a joke….LOL
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February 2nd, 2012 at 1:31 pm - #tika
Yes you right I, am joking ‘’man don’t take every think so dam seriously take A breath and relax.
And here is a little history lesson for you.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 12:52 pm - #Blood*Specter
Only good cars built by USA = Ford GT, Duesenberg, and maybe the Stanley steam car?
AMF Javlen, Cadillac STS-V, Corvette, ZR1, Z06, C3, Saleen Raptor & S7, Mustang Laguna Saca Edition,
Ford Focus, Chaparral, Shelby GT500 Mosler MT900M. And lets not forget that Ford basically has supported and lent technology to Cosworth for many years……………Give it a rest.-
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm - #CNSpots1
Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK, they also owned jaguar and land rover for quite some time. AND if they are so worthless then why did the ALL AMERICAN ford mark IV, smash ferrari at le mans?
answer this tika
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February 2nd, 2012 at 2:41 pm - #tika
@ CNSpots1
Al the great car manufactures in the world who made great and unforgettable cars made also the worst cars in the world, take Lancia for example they made some of the world greatest cars ever made’’ take the FulviaHF, Stratos HF,and the 037 our the delta that won the world rally championship 6 times in a row , but they also made the some of the worst cars ever made like the Thema our Beta, the Beta was A motoring disaster.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 3:36 pm - #tika
@ CNSpots1
My personal list of motoring disasters
• Bugatti Royale
• Ford Mustang II
• Cadillac Seville
• Austin Maestro
• Lancia Beta
• Caterham 21
• Pontiac Aztek
• Porsche 914
• Chevrolet Corva
• Ford PintoMy personal top ten of worst Italian cars ever
1. Alfa Romeo Arna
2. Maserati Biturbo
3. Fiat Strada
4. Lancia Beta
5. Lamborghini Countach
6. Alfa Romeo Alfa 6
7. Ferrari Mondial
8. De Tomaso Deauville
9. Innocenti Mini Bertone
10. Lancia Thema 8.32 -
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:13 pm - #lebes14
Gt500 is NOT a good car…
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February 2nd, 2012 at 7:15 pm - #lebes14
Using a 1950s cars as an example is a painfully flawed line of logic. That’s like saying germany has the strongest military in the world because the tiger was a beast in the 40s.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am - #rocketcaron
@tika well, considering what you said about Americans AND the Ford Mustang BOSS 302 (some of the most ignorant comments I’ve heard in AWHILE) I will not put much weight on your opinions or listings here.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 2:36 pm - #tika
@ rocketcaron
Considering what I said about Americans, if you take What I say About the US seriously well then that is foolish of you I don’t hate our dislike you guys ‘’ I’m just **** *** with you.
I like you silly Americans. Special men like the sadly deceased George Carlin.
And what About the cars, the original Boss 302 was A great car the so called Boss 302 2012 is not An even in the shadow of that car even in his Lacuna Sega spec it’s a joke with the badge stolen from A great car in the past. -
February 4th, 2012 at 4:03 pm - #teppischfresser
@lebes14 What are you talking about?! I have a 2010 GT500 and it’s awesome. It has a good ride, enough space for my two kids in the back, enough room for my rifles in the trunk, and it’s damn fast. You need to do some homework before saying it’s not a good car.
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February 5th, 2012 at 5:39 am - #Flaco13
@ blood*specter
Ford basically has supported and lent technology to Cosworth for many years?- They supported each other it’s called joint venture, but saying Ford lent technology TO Cosworth? You got that twisted, if something its the other way around, at that time Ford and other manufacturers were pretty depending on Cosworth’s technology. For example, Turbo’s made of Cosworth were milestones back then. Engines were used by many manufacturers not just Fords.
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February 5th, 2012 at 6:04 am - #Flaco13
My personal list of motoring disasters
• Bugatti Royale – what’s wrong with it? the look?
• Ford Mustang II – no need 2 comment
• Cadillac Seville – what year? U mean late 70′s? then i disagree, had a ’79 Seville. Mercedes of that time wouldnt take up!
• Austin Maestro – idk so i wont judge
• Lancia Beta – disgusting!
• Caterham 21 – cant think of a caterham i wouldnt jump up and scream of joy when seeing 1, there great even 21′s
• Pontiac Aztek – testdrove one, a Kia Sorento is the much better mid size SUV, even tho its a Kia!
• Porsche 914 – worse porsche of all time is the 924, more VW than porsche
• Chevrolet Corva – u mean Corvair? great car!
• Ford Pinto – great post fwd-VW-Golf-mess-up era, everything after that era was just a big joke… but pinto’s escort’s kadett’s etc. were all great cars… until that effin Golf came outMy personal top ten of worst Italian cars ever
1. Alfa Romeo Arna
2. Maserati Biturbo
3. Fiat Strada
4. Lancia Beta
5. Lamborghini Countach
6. Alfa Romeo Alfa 6
7. Ferrari Mondial
8. De Tomaso Deauville
9. Innocenti Mini Bertone
10. Lancia Thema 8.32
Agree, exept 4 the Maserati and the Countach -
February 5th, 2012 at 7:01 am - #tika
@ falco13
the 1983 Biturbo” is, of course, Italian for “expensive junk.” At least, it is now, after Maserati tried to pass off this bitter heartbreak-on-wheels as a proper grand touring sedan. The Biturbo was the product of a desperate, under-funded company circling the drain of bankruptcy, and it shows. Everything that could leak, burn, snap or rupture did so
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February 5th, 2012 at 7:09 am - #tika
@Falco 13
The Lamborghini Countach was A terrible car, the clutch seems to come out off A truck to shift gears you need too hands , it has the turn circle of A bus. The suspension is so hard that you tooth while fall out when you drive the sucker. An d I no because we have A couple of Lamborghini at our garage such as 1 Countach LP 500 s
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February 5th, 2012 at 7:13 am - #Flaco13
I see your point regarding the Maserati Bi-Turbo. The story reminds me of what Audi’s doing today! lol Thats german for “expensive junk” imo
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February 5th, 2012 at 7:18 am - #Flaco13
regarding the countach, well you had to put some pressure on it, so what? Lambos have always been acting like divas. Like Walter Roehrl said: The difference between people and cars is, cars you must treat with respect
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February 5th, 2012 at 8:03 am - #tika
@ Faqlco13
Enough over the worst cars what about the best cars I have A few cars that I just love to drive.1. my Frazer Nash 1935 chain drive ( hot-rod I rebuild three to four times A year and just race it over the gravel roads, with the chain drive it loves to go sideways over the road)
2. the Bentley 4liters blower special , I just love the way that thing rides
3. the Ferrari F430, love that to dead, my dad promised me that I get that car as soon as he gets his Ferrari FF this year .
4. my little blue ford Angelia race car 1963 just love that little blue period race car
5. my BMW M3 coupe drive it daily and I have no complaint what so ever on the car
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GTPlanet on Google+
I would love new shelby but i dont think they want to make that car. i would appreciate if they didnt blatantly handicapped the mustang gt handling wise, by making such a huge (i.m.o. purposely) error on weight distribution. 65/35 like wat the F. no wonder she dont turn the correct is 56/44. this is the only car in game u add 200 kg ballast it brings up pp. but then it weight like if it was stock. THIS IS PURE BIAS BULL. ford should take back there comments