Automotive Forums

Looks like every manufacturer is going to roll out a digital driving game with their new cars.  Ford announced one, and now Mitsubishi is launching an online digital game to promote the introduction of its redesigned 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Six roads
Called the "Thrill Ride Challenge," the game is a virtual timed driving race on one of six roads from around the world. It will be promoted through Aug. 15 on Yahoo and a variety of sites including ESPN.com, Yahoo Autos, Edmunds.com, KellyBlueBook.com, AOL Autos, MSN, MP3.com, Gamespot.com and iFilm.com.

The special Yahoo promotion will include a take over of the home page on June 15, during which visitors will be greeted by a Eclipse driving across the screen to promote access to the game.

The participant with the best time each week will win a Mitsubishi flat screen TV or an Apple iPod.

Mitsubishi expects the one-day Yahoo takeover to generate 20,000 leads from prospective Eclipse buyers from the 100 million impressions, the spokeswoman said.

if nothing else this just proves the herd mentality of the auto industry, this is the same kind of thinkin that allows Hyundai to be number one in quality this year -

the auto industry is completely focused on the wrong things - how about if Ford and Mitsu started working on makine better cars!!

20k leads doesnt do a thing if the cars stink - but this is a good way to keep advertising agency folks busy and working so kudos to these automakers for not offshoring these jobs
 

The Eclipse is selling beyond expectations.  Production can't keep up.  For now.

Then in about a year people will probably realize it's still a Galant and drop it like Britney Spears.