GM and Test Track - New Sponsor on the Horizon?

[Lady_Gracey999]

With all the talk about the car dealerships going out of business, what's going to happen to TT? Do you think it will simply get new sponsorship? If so who? It's been on my mind lately, and I thought I'd throw it out and see what your thoughts are. So speak... popcorn::

[BamaEd1]

I have no direct knowledge but it would be my guess that Disney would have locked in a contract for the sponsorship. It would/should be in GM's marketing budget and nothing, shy of renegotiation or bankruptcy would take that away. They very well may have pre-paid for it. It will be interesting to watch, for sure.popcorn::

[crazy4wdw]

Test Track opened in 1999. Generally, the lease for corporate sponsored pavilions is 10 years so GM's sponsorship of TT most likely will expire sometimes in 2009.

[Horace Horsecollar]

There is a distinct possibility that the GM sponsorship will disappear from Test Track in the next year or two -- just as ExxonMobil no longer sponsors Universe of Energy.

Because Test Track continues to be one of the most popular attractions at Epcot, it would undoubtedly continue operating with hardly any changes. The GM signs would come down. The pre-ride video would be edited to eliminate the GM references. And the post show area would be reworked to eliminate the GM new car showroom.

[doconeill]

I shudder to think what would happen if the sponsorship was not paid up, and maintenance depended on that money...it breaks down enough as it is...

As far as it already being in the budget, that means squat...

[Padrepride]

If GM drops the sponsorship, maybe Disney can get a tire company to sponsor TT to help with maintenance. I would like to see the GM showroom go away to a better post show.

[Uncleromulus]

Perhaps GM can write it in as part of the government bailout? What's a few extra million dollars among friends?

[zulemara]

Because Test Track continues to be one of the most popular attractions at Epcot,

Which I will never understand:lmao:

[MJMcBride]

personally, I think Test Track is a blast

[deej696]

GM recently dropped most if not all of their endorsement deals with athletes including Tiger Woods. My guess is a renewal of the TT contract, whenever its supposed to happen, would fall into this category as well. There are other car makers still making money, they just dont happen to be American. Who knows, maybe Toyota or BMW would for some weird reason want to sponsor it. And its not like there wouldnt be precident for this, considering that the landmark most associated with Epcot (Spaceship Earth) is sponsored by German based Siemens....

[Lady_Gracey999]

Perhaps GM can write it in as part of the government bailout? What's a few extra million dollars among friends?

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

[Justin the Hook]

I highly doubt GM would opt out of signing a new contract. GM just doesn't pay for the advertising for TT, they also provide all the vehicles used by Disney. All trucks, vans, cars are all GM. All of that money that Disney spends on transportation cost could go to whoever gives Disney the best deal, not the one who sponsors a ride there. GM would be missing out on a heck of a lot of vehicle sales per year.

[PHILCT]

I also love Test Track.

Years ago GM attempted to be a leader in developing one of the first Hydrogen Platform Production Systems. and exhibited it at the "after show" at Test Track.

(Many years ago Dan Rathers drove such a Hydrogen based vehicle at a GM facility on 60 Minutes, and was amazed by the small stature of the platform and the quality of the working, silent prototype vehicle.)

Sadly everyone ran pass this Hydrogen Platform exhibit at Test Track so they could pose for a picture inside the Hummers or the SUV's of their dreams and even more sadly GM seemingly gave up on the further development of this technology and just dealing with short term sighted profit goals.

I think if GM is to achieve the status of being the continued future sponsor of Test Track at Future World, it needs to focus on future technologies and deliver on the dreams of cars like the Chevy Volt in 2010.

And perhaps we all need to stop drooling over the Hummers and the SUV's, just because the gas prices have gone down for a little while !

Good Luck GM !

Phil

[TheRustyScupper]

With all the talk about the car dealerships going out of business, what's going to happen to TT? Do you think it will simply get new sponsorship? If so who?

1) If they get a new sponsor, I hope it is Mattel.
2) Has anyone seen a Hot Wheels care break down like the cars on Test Track?

[Sorahana]

1) If they get a new sponsor, I hope it is Mattel.
2) Has anyone seen a Hot Wheels care break down like the cars on Test Track?

TEST TRACK...sponsored by HOT WHEELS *insert Hot Wheels like commercial* :rotfl2:
It's a funny thought.

How about Hyundai? Hyundai is pretty awesome. Even though it's not am American company but still, would Text Track need an American car company sponsoring it?

[Lady_Gracey999]

I also love Test Track.

Me too! It was one of the few rides that I thought really gave a good thrill!

Years ago GM attempted to be a leader in developing one of the first Hydrogen Platform Production Systems. and exhibited it at the "after show" at Test Track.

(Many years ago Dan Rathers drove such a Hydrogen based vehicle at a GM facility on 60 Minutes, and was amazed by the small stature of the platform and the quality of the working, silent prototype vehicle.)

Sadly everyone ran pass this Hydrogen Platform exhibit at Test Track so they could pose for a picture inside the Hummers or the SUV's of their dreams and even more sadly GM seemingly gave up on the further development of this technology and just dealing with short term sighted profit goals.

I think if GM is to achieve the status of being the continued future sponsor of Test Track at Future World, it needs to focus on future technologies and deliver on the dreams of cars like the Chevy Volt in 2010.

Very interesting...

And perhaps we all need to stop drooling over the Hummers and the SUV's, just because the gas prices have gone down for a little while !

Amen to this! I was never a fan of those attack vehicles anyways. LOL...of course I drove a Honda Civic for 8 years! I'm in a CR-V now and it feels big to me.:goodvibes

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Perhaps GM can write it in as part of the government bailout? What's a few extra million dollars among friends?


I have heard rumors that they already owe Disney buckets of $$$ for unpaid advertisiing on ESPN that Disney would loose if GM were to file for bankrupcy.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I'd like to see Ferrari as a sponsor and the speed on the track raised to say.... 120 MPH....:woohoo: Maybe install rollbars and a 4 way harness... Pull some REAL Gs!

[doubletrouble_vb]

Its an interesting cost/benefit question. Give up the advertising and the sales to Disney. On the other hand Disney stands to lose as well. GM is iconic with regard to EPCOT. Test Track by Toyota?

[Horace Horsecollar]

GM is iconic with regard to EPCOT. Test Track by Toyota?
That's why it's unlikely another car company would step up to sponsor Test Track.

If GM drops its sponsorship, it's likely that Test Track would continue without any sponsor. Consider "The Universe of Energy." Exxon-Mobil dropped its sponsorship, despite having the profits and advertising budget to easily remain the sponsor. No other oil company or other sponsor stepped up to take over. (It seems companies these days would rather sponsor stadiums and arenas.)

It's unlikely that Test Track would close. The now-closed "Wonders of Life," originally sponsored by MetLife, was not nearly as popular.

"The Seas with Nemo and Friends" also does not have a sponsor.

I don't expect GM to sponsor Test Track too much longer. If GM files for Chapter 11, they can get out of contracts. Even if they're bailed out and avoid Chapter 11, GM is likely to walk away when their contract with Disney when it ends. They need to cut costs dramatically. A sponsorship is about long-term goodwill. GM needs short-term sales and a much lower cost structure to stop bleeding cash and to return to profitability. They may even try to work out an arrangement with Disney before the end of the contract.

[mom-2-3]

I'd like to see Ferrari as a sponsor and the speed on the track raised to say.... 120 MPH....:woohoo: Maybe install rollbars and a 4 way harness... Pull some REAL Gs!


I was thinking Porshe, but hey I like your idea better. gotta figure out how to get 4 in a vehicle though, only two would make the lines really long.

:cool1:
^ that would be my husband, he'd live in the single rider que the entire vacation!

On a more serious note thought, what about Petty and or Penske?

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

^ that would be my husband, he'd live in the single rider que the entire vacation!
I'd probably get to know him well because I'd be there too.:thumbsup2 One of my few pet pieves about Disney is the lack of really thrilling rides. When I ride Tower of Terror I laugh through the whole thing. Nothing there really thrills me anymore. I love WDW, but next year we are taking a year off from APs, and I plan to hit some parks with some serious coasters!:cool1:

PS spellcheck is telling me I misspelled pieves. How is it supposed to be spelled? I tried about 5 ways with no luck...:confused3

[ChrisFL]

I'd probably get to know him well because I'd be there too.:thumbsup2 One of my few pet pieves about Disney is the lack of really thrilling rides. When I ride Tower of Terror I laugh through the whole thing. Nothing there really thrills me anymore. I love WDW, but next year we are taking a year off from APs, and I plan to hit some parks with some serious coasters!:cool1:

PS spellcheck is telling me I misspelled pieves. How is it supposed to be spelled? I tried about 5 ways with no luck...:confused3

peeves

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Thanks!!! Gotta remember that one...:scratchin

[minnie61650]

I highly doubt GM would opt out of signing a new contract. GM just doesn't pay for the advertising for TT, they also provide all the vehicles used by Disney. All trucks, vans, cars are all GM. All of that money that Disney spends on transportation cost could go to whoever gives Disney the best deal, not the one who sponsors a ride there. GM would be missing out on a heck of a lot of vehicle sales per year.

Just an FYI

CM no longer list TT as one of it's sponcerships.

See this link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080121160841/http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/reports/00/links/marketing.html

[mrsR123]

Horace Horsecollar wrote, (and I messed up the code in trying to edit):
"The Seas with Nemo and Friends" also does not have a sponsor.



This makes me wonder if yet another Pixarization might follow a sponsorship loss; couldn't you just see Lightning McQueen's Test Track?

Why bother with other corporations when you can sponsor yourself with in-house synergized plush and plastic sales?

[deej696]

"synergized" I love that word.:lmao:

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Horace Horsecollar wrote, (and I messed up the code in trying to edit):
"The Seas with Nemo and Friends" also does not have a sponsor.



This makes me wonder if yet another Pixarization might follow a sponsorship loss; couldn't you just see Lightning McQueen's Test Track?

Why bother with other corporations when you can sponsor yourself with in-house synergized plush and plastic sales?

hmmmmmmm:surfweb: :rolleyes: :scratchin :scratchin :scratchin :idea: :idea: :idea::car:
That's an idea...
I wonder if the money would equal out.
On one hand you could have a sponsor and their souvies in the giftshop AND Disney's Cars (what they have been doing all along) and on the OTHER hand they could just have the ride as Cars Test Track and the Cars merchandise would (obviously) skyrocket. But I kinda doubt it would actually equal out to enough sales to beat the sponsorship. So what does it cost to sponsor a ride anyways?
That would be interesting to see some rough figures on paper of one vs the other. I would imagine the sales of Disney's Cars stuff in the TT gift shop is pretty low as it is now. If I run the gift shop I'd make ONE change right off the bat... EVERY SINGLE ITEM that has to do with your car would be in the TT gift shop.
IE: EVERY SINGLE antenna topper... not just a few. EVERY license plate holder, EVERY WDW bumper sticker... EVERY Mickey family sticker... etc.

If the ride is about vehicles then every item FOR a vehicle on all Disney property should be in that shop to maximize sales. JMHO.

Sure, POP Century has a great selection, but not every WDW guest stays on property, and not all of them WANT to shop!!! It would be convenient to have them there.

[Horace Horsecollar]

Just an FYI

CM no longer list TT as one of it's sponcerships.

See this link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080121160841/http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/reports/00/links/marketing.html
That page at GM's website is about GM's efforts to market its cars through philanthropic sponsorships. I doubt that GM ever included the Test Track marketing deal with Disney on that page.

I expect GM to drop the Test Track sponsorship in the next 18 months -- unless they can arrange very advantageous terms with Disney.

If GM drops sponsorship and no other sponsor signs on, I only expect minimal changes to Track Track. Primarily, Disney will remove obvious references to GM and its car brands.

Redoing Test Track to a meaningful Disney/Pixar Cars theme with good storytelling would require a ton of money. So I don't expect that to happen. However, a bigger gift shop with more Disney/Pixar Cars merchandise is a distinct possibility.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

a bigger gift shop with more Disney/Pixar Cars merchandise is a distinct possibility.
Deja Vous... There's a joke about that... can't remember it at the moment.:rolleyes1

[Tink's Tormentor]

Would a Cars overlay to Test Track make sense since a Cars themed land will eventually find it's way into Hollywood Studios???