This week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Bentley added a detail to their models that I would not expect from a luxury brand: Each of the three display models featured custom license plates with the name hashtagged. This execution surprised me coming from a luxury car maker so well-known for their beautiful and clean aesthetic.

Though an approach like this successfully helps at getting the word out and creating a conversation thread online, it does run the risk of promo ruining prestige. I did a little research and there were mentions online using the recommended hashtags, including some Instagram photo uploads. The monitored image above is interesting because the user chose to blur out the rest of the vehicle and focus more visually on the license plate. The Bentley logo on the front of the vehicle is even blurred out.

What are your thoughts on luxury brands using social media promo on their actual product? Could hashtags be the future of personal vanity icense plates?

**Via PSFK

McLaren is taking a different approach in promoting their latest P1 Aero concept car. They are introducing it to consumers through an augmented reality mobile application (available for iPhone and Android devices) named McLaren P1. So what makes this a "printeractive" excecution? Well, consumers are driven to the British car maker's Facebook page in order to print a drawing of this car. When the user's mobile device or tablet is focused on this print out with the application open, a blood orange colored P1 appears on screen. Users are then able to get a 360 view of the car by moving their phone around. To boast this car's features, the app even allows users to increase the speed of the aero trails to see for themselves how this car is "the most aerodynamically efficient road car ever imagined." Perfectly timed, this application was launched simulatenously with this car's reveal at the Paris Motor Show.

Providing this augmented reality experience is a more personal and exciting way of introducing a car. Much like an auto show, this exciting "printeractive" experience is buzzworthy. Why take a picture of the car when you can get a full 360 view of it using this application? It also allows users to see the car's features in action, which does not always happen at a motor show. Try it for yourself, especially if you're looking to buy. 

**Image via  

Renault Netherlands recently launched a successful campaign aimed at building its Facebook presence. The nostalgic Facebook campaign surrounded the story of Grandma Hilda, an 80-year-old woman who decided to stop driving and give her Renault 4 away to someone who would enjoy it. Like any story, though, there was a problem — Hilda lost her keys.

Facebook fans were called to help find the keys by placing tags in an interactive 'hide and seek' app on the page. The user with the closest tag to the keys won a new Renault 4. Hilda sent participants video clues giving details of where the keys could be, helping to deliver an ongoing story and drive further engagement. 

Renault Netherlands has demonstrated how branded storytelling and nostalgia can create strong consumer interest. In four weeks the campaign received 10,293 unique tags and the fan base doubled, reaching 27,930 fans.

Moving forward, Renault should continue this story by launching campaigns that include Hilda and other members of her family. There is also opportunity to leverage the stories being created by the winner of Hilda's Renault. 

via DigitalBuzzBlog

Today on WSAV Tech Tuesday, Hal discusses AutoMD, a website that can help diagnose and remedy common auto repairs and maintenance items.