Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Suburban Station

Can a Volvo not be a Volvo?

Here are the comments of a student I have in an undergraduate marketing class about the "new" Volvo:

"Wow.... Talk about a great example of expanding your product.

"This definitely isn't Grandpa's Volvo! I like the ad campaign I've been hearing on the radio. They are playing off of their decades of safety and reliability ratings and adding them with sexier styling trying to break out of the "safe" mommy and daddy market.

"Sexy, speed and safety... Damn hard combo to resist if they can deliver... Check out the motortrend ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtldv9eh3R8&feature=fvsr

"Gotta love it.... When I was growing up a neighbor of a good friend of mine was an engineer for Volvo... Let's just say he was a platinum sample of '60s creativity. All they ever drove was Volvo. Pretty good handling, couldn't argue the safety features and ratings, beyond that..... dang boring car... I love how they are exploiting the break from the traditional Volvo styling. The description of the new model being ‘Naughty' adds some fun and a bit of daring to those who would normally buy it for the safety, a great excuse to break from the straightjacketed resposible choice for the usual consumers of their product and an excellent draw for a new consumer."

Here's my take:

Ironically, I have almost the exact opposite take. Looking at the long Volvo ad on YouTube reminds me of every other car ad I see on television --- they film the car from a low angle, they show it zipping around tight curves and doing graceful sliding turns, all to the tune of some driving rock music. Not much different from a Pontiac-Chevrolet-Mitsubishi-Ford-Dodge-Nissan (to name just a few) ad to me. It's what I call "me too" marketing --- Volvo is now saying, "See, we've got a sexy, sleek car, too."

However, it's very dangerous to try to change a long-established image. Volvo has equaled "safe cars" for decades, they owned that image, nobody could touch 'em --- from a marketing viewpoint a very enviable position to be in. So now they're suddenly telling me they're sexy.

I see two possible problems with that... There are already lots of well-established sexy cars out there, so why do we need another one? And, then, does that mean Volvo is not as safe anymore? It's almost like Wal-Mart suddenly saying, "Well, besides being low priced, we're also high fashion like Nordstrom or Lord and Taylor." Is Wal-Mart "believable" as high-fashion? Is Volvo "believable" as sexy?

I suspect why they're doing it, though. You said it yourself: Besides Volvo's safety image, they also had an image as "mom and dad's suburban station wagon." Well, young people today don't want "mom and dad's suburban station wagon." As all kids want to do, they want to differentiate themselves from their parents, have their own identity, make their own statement. So Volvo was losing market share to what were apparently "sexier" brands of cars, except maybe the youg people weren't necessarily choosing those other cars because they were sexier, maybe they were choosing them because they were different from what their parents drove.

It reminds me of the Pepsi / New Coke debacle a few years ago. The Coke folks thought people were buying Pepsi because of the taste, so they thought they would bring out New Coke, that tasted like Pepsi --- "See, we've got it too." Except maybe people chose Pepsi as much because it was not Coke as they did for the perceived taste difference.

Pontiac tried for something like 20 years to change its image, in fact, in very much the same direction that Volvo is going --- from stodgy to sexy. Where's Pontiac today?

About the Author

Dave is the co-founder and chief content developer for Marketing Over Easy, a new website dedicated to helping small businesses be smarter marketers. To receive a free copy of our special report "58 Free and Low Cost Ways to Promote Your New Small Business" visit us at www.marketingovereasy.com/signup © 2010 David F. Ramacitti

S P Whistle Stop 45173 Suburban Station Snap Kit HO $28.69 This is an HO Scale Suburban Station made by Bachmann. Easy to assemble building kit for use with all HO scale layouts. Snapfit assembly. No glue necessary. Realistic detailing. Precolored plastic parts (white building with gray roof/brown platform white chimney). Kit includes figures and signs. One Suburban Station.

Gas Station Owned by the Dome Oil Company, in Tacoma Park, Suburban Washington D.C., 1920 $19.99 Gas Station Owned by the Dome Oil Company, in Tacoma Park, Suburban Washington D.C., 1920 - Premium Poster

Station $9.99 Station

Suburban Extended Stay Pensacol $84.99 Suburban Extended Stay Pensacol is located in Pensacola, close to Pensacola Naval Air Station. Additional area points of interest include Historic Pensacola Village and Pensacola Civic Center. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool and a fitness facility. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include barbecue grills and laundry facilities. Guestrooms. 129 air conditioned guestrooms at Suburban Extended Stay Pensacol feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Kitchenettes include microwaves and refrigerators. Wired high speed Internet access is complimentary. In addition to desks, guestrooms offer phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have cable channels. Housekeeping is offered daily and guests may request wake up calls.

Premium Station $93.99 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A premium station is a category of railway station on Melbournes suburban rail network which is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. A premium station is a high standard station which sits above the medium standard host stations and the low standard unmanned stations. Each premium station has: Staff who are available, from the beginning to the end of daily train service, for ticket sales (including concession cards and V/Line tickets), answering of customer queries, and general running of the station (including, for example, bookings for bicycle locker hire). A high standard of passenger amenities such as open male, female and disabled toilets, CCTV cameras, bright lighting, bicycle cages and lockers, an enclosed waiting room and at some stations, newspaper and snack kiosks. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 132 Publication Date: 2010/09/19 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

Moorgate Station $70.1 Moorgate station is a London Underground and National Rail station in the City of London, on Moorgate, north of London Wall. At one time the station was named Moorgate Street. It is the central London railway terminus for suburban First Capital Connect services from Hertford, Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth and was, until March 2009, a terminus for trains on the Thameslink line, also run by First Capital Connect. It is the site of the Moorgate tube crash of 1975 in which 46 people were killed and 74 were injured. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 92 Publication Date: 2010/08/03 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.22 inches

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel $100 Suburban Extended Stay Hotel is located in Stuart's Jensen Beach Stuart neighborhood and local attractions include Elliott Museum. Hotel Features. Suburban Extended Stay Hotel features laundry facilities and an elevator (lift). Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and the hotel has a computer station. Guest parking is complimentary. Guestrooms. Air conditioned guestrooms at Suburban Extended Stay Hotel feature coffee/tea makers and clock radios. Kitchens include stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators, and cookware/dishes/utensils. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. Guestrooms offer phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have cable channels. Housekeeping is offered weekly and guests may request wake up calls. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Deposit: USD 50.00 per stay (cash only) The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Deposit: USD 50.00 per stay (cash only) The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Bachmann Williams BAC45173 Ho Suburban Station Kit $28.28 Easy to assemble building kit for use with all HO scale layouts. Snapfit assembly. No glue necessary. Realistic detailing. Precolored plastic parts (white building with gray roof/brown platform white chimney). Kit includes figures and signs. Scale: HO.

30th Street Station $71.7 30th Street Station is the main railroad station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the heart of Philadelphias passenger rail network except for the Broad Street Line, which the nearest station available for all intents and purposes is the Suburban Station directly east of 30th Street Station, and Routes 100, 101 and 102, which are available at another major station at the west end of the MarketFrankford Line, 69th Street Terminal. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 94 Publication Date: 2010/04/28 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.23 inches

Washington Lane (Septa Station) $73.28 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Washington Lane Station is a SEPTA Regional Rail station at Washington Lane and Clearview Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The station is in zone 2 on the Chestnut Hill East Line, on former Reading Railroad tracks, and is 7.8 track miles from Suburban Station. In 2004, this station saw 140 boardings on an average weekday. The station is located near the Awbury Arboretum. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 82 Publication Date: 2011/01/20 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.20 inches

Warburton Railway Station, Melbourne $33.18 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Warburton railway station was an outer suburban station in Melbourne, Australia. It opened on 13 November 1901 as the terminus of the Warburton line, and closed with the line on 1 August 1965. The site is now the conclusion of the Lilydale - Warburton walking trail, which follows the line of the old railway.The track after Warburton station extended a short distance along the "La La extension" which was opened on 3 May 1909, later closing with the line in 1965.

Suburban Extended Stay South $43.99 Suburban Extended Stay South is located in Orange Park's West Jacksonville neighborhood, close to Orange Park Mall and Westside Regional Park. Additional area points of interest include Jacksonville Naval Air Station and Mandarin Museum. Hotel Features. Suburban Extended Stay South features laundry facilities, an elevator (lift), and a safe deposit box at the front desk. High speed Internet access is available in public areas. Guest parking is complimentary. Guestrooms. 143 air conditioned guestrooms at Suburban Extended Stay South feature coffee/tea makers and clock radios. Rooms are all accessible via exterior corridors. Kitchenettes include stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators, and cookware/dishes/utensils. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. Guestrooms offer complimentary local and long distance calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have cable channels. Guests may request irons/ironing boards, hair dryers, and wake up calls. Housekeeping is available weekly. Notifications and Fees:All guests staying in hotel guestrooms must be registered with the hotel. Some properties have extra fees for amenities or services that may apply even if you do not use them. Government fees or taxes also may be charged to you when you check in or check out. This property told us they will charge you for the following: Energy surcharge: USD 2.99 per night We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 2.00 per pet, per day plus USD 100.00 one time cleaning fee The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:All guests staying in hotel guestrooms must be registered with the hotel. Some properties have extra fees for amenities or services that may apply even if you do not use them. Government fees or taxes also may be charged to you when you check in or check out. This property told us they will charge you for the following: Energy surcharge: USD 2.99 per night We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 2.00 per pet, per day plus USD 100.00 one time cleaning fee The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Kwinana Railway Station $78.07 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Kwinana Station is a railway station located on the suburban boundary of Bertram and Parmelia, Western Australia. Situated near Thomas Road and Sicklemore Road, it services a rapidly developing suburban area. It is served by the interburban Mandurah line, with services to both the Perth CBD and the neighbouring city of Mandurah. Kwinana is on the Mandurah Line of the Transperth Trains network, a hybrid metrocommuter rail system with five lines in metropolitan Perth. As such, it receives trains northbound to central Perth and southbound to the suburbs of Mandurah and Rockingham. Three stopping patterns serve Kwinana station: all stations, C, and K. Author: Bert, Adam Cornelius Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 96 Publication Date: 2011/08/29 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.23 inches

Aigburth Railway Station $78.07 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Aigburth railway station serves the Aigburth district of Liverpool, England. It is situated on the SouthportHunts Cross route of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail suburban system. The station, originally called Mersey Road Aigburth, opened in 1864 as part of the Garston and Liverpool Railway line between Brunswick and Garston Dock. In 1865 the station and line were incorporated into the Cheshire Lines Committee. Author: Toll, Aaron Philippe Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2011/08/19 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.20 inches

Suburban Royalty $8.99 Suburban Royalty

Suburban Hymns $12.49 Suburban Hymns

Suburban Gorillas $14.79 Suburban Gorillas

Suburban Exotica $11.49 Suburban Exotica

Suburban Girl $4.99 Suburban Girl

Suburban Light $8.49 Suburban Light

Suburban Blight $8.99 Suburban Blight

Suburban Songbook $34.99 Suburban Songbook

Suburban Dreaming $26.99 Suburban Dreaming

Evanston Railway Station, Adelaide $76.47 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Evanston railway station is a railway station on the Gawler railway line which is located in the northern Adelaide suburb of Evanston. It is located 38.3 km by railway from the Adelaide Railway Station. Evanston is a suburb south of the town of Gawler, South Australia. The Gawler Central line is a suburban commuter railway line in the city of Adelaide, South Australia. It is the only rail route in Adelaide to have no interchange with another line at any station except Adelaide. Author: Nicolao, Hardmod Carlyle Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 92 Publication Date: 2011/06/26 Language: English Dimensions: 9.00 x 6.00 x 0.22 inches

Snaresbrook Tube Station $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The station was opened by the Eastern Counties Railway on 22 August 1856 as part of the Eastern Counties Railway branch to Loughton, which was eventually extended to Epping and Ongar in 1865. The station then formed part of the Great Eastern Railways system until that company was merged into the London North Eastern Railway in 1923. The station was subsequently transferred to form part of London Undergrounds Central Line from 14 December 1947. This formed a part of the long planned, and delayed, Eastern Extension of the Central line that was part of the London Passenger Transport Boards New Works Programme of 1935 1940. The station was partially reconstructed in 1893, the most notable feature being the provision of a bay platform that remained in use until transfer to the Underground. The station is a fine survivor of a Victorian suburban station, with later additions, and includes a brick built station building as well as extensive cast iron and timber canopies to the platforms. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 88 Publication Date: 2010/07/08 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.21 inches

Frankston Railway Station $73.28 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Frankston is a railway station located on Young Street in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. It is the terminus of the suburban Frankston railway line, however diesel railcar services extend to the greater metropolitan area on the Stony Point railway line beyond. It is a Zone 2 railway station with an island platform. Located on Young Street, which also provides station access, the station has a large brick building which sits at the Stony Point end of the station, with an enclosed waiting area, ticket facilities, toilets and a cafe. An underpass is situated at the Stony Point end of the station, which connects Young Street and the station to its car park, Fletcher Road and Chisholm Institute TAFE. It is one of 13 metropolitan stations to have Metcard barrier gates installed. It contains two large Metcard ticket machines, three small coin only machines and a Myki smartcard machine as well as a booking office. Author: Jere, Wade Anastasia Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2011/09/24 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.18 inches

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel - Dallas $69.98 Located in Dallas, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Dallas is near the airport and close to Bachman Lake Park, University of Dallas, and L.B Houston Municipal Golf Course. Additional area points of interest include Frontiers of Flight Museum and Parkland Memorial Hospital UT Southwestern. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include a fitness facility. This hotel has a business center and offers business services. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and the hotel has a computer station. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include laundry facilities. Guestrooms. 145 air conditioned guestrooms at Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Dallas feature coffee/tea makers and blackout drapes/curtains. Kitchens include full sized refrigerators/freezers, stovetops, microwaves, and cookware/dishes/utensils. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to desks, guestrooms offer phones as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have premium cable channels and free movie channels. Also included are electronic check out and clock radios. Guests may request irons/ironing boards, hair dryers, and wake up calls. Housekeeping is available weekly.

Zoo Station $14 “ Zoo Station is a beautifully crafted and compelling thriller with a heart-stopping ending as John Russell learns the personal faces of good and evil. An unforgettable read.”—Charles Todd, author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge series Praise for previous books by David Downing: “The author combines his erudition with an excellent political imagination. He writes well, clearly and has a nice wit.”— The Sunday Times (London) “An atmospheric thriller . . . furious pacing.”— Booklist “An elegant rapid-fire spy story.”— The Virginian-Pilot “Compulsive reading.”— The Sunday Telegraph (London) By 1939, Anglo-American journalist John Russell has spent over a decade in Berlin, where his son lives with his mother. He writes human-interest pieces for British and American papers, avoiding the investigative journalism that could get him deported. But as World War II approaches, he faces having to leave his son as well as his girlfriend of several years, a beautiful German starlet. When an acquaintance from his old communist days approaches him to do some work for the Soviets, Russell is reluctant, but he is unable to resist the offer. He becomes involved in other dangerous activities, helping a Jewish family and a determined young American reporter. When the British and the Nazis notice his involvement with the Soviets, Russell is dragged into the murky world of warring intelligence services. David Downing grew up in suburban London and is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, including The Moscow Option, Russian Revolution 1985, and The Red Eagles. He lives with his wife, an American acupuncturist, in Guildford, England. From the Hardcover edition.

Stettin Station $22.42 Praise for the John Russell series: "Will have readers clamoring for a sequel."--"BookPage" "A finely drawn portrait of the capital of a nation marching in step toward disaster."--"St. Louis Post Dispatch" "A beautifully crafted and compelling thriller with a heart stopping ending as John Russell learns the personal faces of good and evil. An unforgettable read."--Charles Todd, author of "A Duty to the Dead" "Wonderful. . . . Downing's mingling of history and thrills makes this a must read."--"Rocky Mountain News" "An extraordinary evocation of Nazi Germany on the eve of war, the smell of cruelty seeping through the clean modern surface."--C. J. Sansom, author of "Revelation" "An atmospheric tale."--"St. Petersburg Times" "A welcome new addition to the historical suspense genre. . . . Downing's] excellent at building suspense . . . and shows a keen eye for describing people and places."--"The Sacramento Bee" "A page turner."--"The Palm Beach Post" In the fall of 1941, Anglo-American journalist John Russell is still living in Berlin, tied to the increasingly alien city by his love for two Berliners: his fourteen-year-old son Paul and his longtime girlfriend Effi. Forced to work for both German and American intelligence, he's searching for a way out of Germany. Can he escape and take Effi with him? David Downing grew up in suburban London. He is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction for both adults and children, including two previous books featuring John Russell--"Zoo Station" and "Silesian Station." He lives with his wife, an American acupuncturist, in Guildford, England.

Bournville Railway Station $124.27 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Bournville railway station serves the Bournville area of Birmingham, England. It is on the CrossCity Line which runs from Redditch to Lichfield via Birmingham New Street. The station opened in 1876 as the temporary southern terminus of the Birmingham West Suburban Railway, while the difficult construction of the junction with the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway was completed at Kings Norton. Stirchley Street opened as a single platform with later added run around loop. In an initial land rental agreement with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, the station sits above Bournville Lane, as the tracks are on an embankment, shared with the canal. Author: Toll, Aaron Philippe Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 192 Publication Date: 2011/08/28 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.44 inches

Mauldeth Road Railway Station $76.47 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Mauldeth Road railway station is a suburban railway station in Manchester, England. It lies on the Styal Line between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. The station opened in 1909 and is positioned south of Longsight. Originally known as Mauldeth Road for Withington, being renamed Mauldeth Road on 6 May 1974, it now serves the Manchester Crewe rail route, used by Northern Rail for stopping services to Manchester Airport. Its coal sidings closed in the 1960s, along with its original platform buildings on the up side. Author: Adriaan, Germain Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 100 Publication Date: 2011/07/10 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.24 inches

Ford Station Wagons: 1929-1991 Photo History $23.99 The first station wagons were built to carry rail passengers and their luggage to and from the station and were called "Depot Hacks." By the 1950s station wagons had become a common feature of suburban living. From the Model T to the Pinto Cruising Wagon, this book chronicles Ford's entrees in this field. Included is a model history for each year with available options, production figures and more. A must have for all Ford Station Wagon fans.

Paatei Modiin Railway Station $78.07 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Paatei Modiin Railway Station (Hebrew:, Tahanat HaRakevet Paatei Modiin Modiin outskirts]) is the nexttolast station on the Israel Railways line NahariyaModiin, serving the residents of Modiin. It was opened on September, 2007. It served as the final stop on the line until April 2008, when service was inaugurated to the Modiin Central Station.Israel Railways (Hebrew:, Rakevet Yisrael) is Israels governmentowned national railway company and is responsible for all intercity and suburban railway passenger and freight traffic in the country. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 108 Publication Date: 2010/08/25 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.26 inches

Parliament Railway Station, Melbourne $74.88 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Parliament is an underground railway station in the suburban train network of Melbourne, Australia. It is one of five stations (and one of three underground) on the City Loop, which encircles the central business district.The station services Melbournes government district, and is underneath the Parliament House of Victoria and the intersection of busy Bourke Street with Spring Street, at the eastern end of the CBD. Passengers can interchange with tram routes 86, 95 and 96 along Bourke Street; 48, 109, and 112 on Collins Street; and the free City Circle Tram. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 80 Publication Date: 2010/10/07 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.19 inches

Bnei Brak Railway Station $89.22 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Bnei Brak Railway Station is a suburban passenger railway station in Israel, operated by Israel Railways. It is located near the Bnei Brak Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak Tel Aviv borders next to the Ayalon Mall and the Ramat Gan Stadium. In spite of its proximity to important industrial and commercial areas of Gush Dan as well as to residential areas of Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak is one of the least popular stations of Israel Railways, possibly because of its misleading name and lack of awareness. Author: Angelus, Jerold Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 104 Publication Date: 2011/08/27 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.25 inches