With the ongoing spread of social media and social networking applications it only makes sense that the automotive sector would get in on the action. Unfortunately there are some car brands that still do not see the benefits of using social media to build a brand... :(

Chevy Tahoe "Create you ad" - 2006 Perhaps one of the earliest examples (and boldest) was the advertisement where anyone could create their own Chevy ads. Many anti-SUV/Auto ads appeared, and some suggest it was a failed campaign. I believe it was a success for the very reasons it was criticized, at least GM took a bold move to embrace what everyone was talking about, aside from the residual buzz from the campaign itself.

Jeep's Have Fun Out There To me, this is really a great way of reaching with these tools, rather than create all the content themselves, Jeep has aggregated content from the community. I'm sure it's been filtered, so nothing inappropriate is added, but it's a good way of letting the community 'drive' their own agenda. Essentially they are "fishing where the fish are" by linking and aggregating communities where they already exist on flickr, youtube, and facebook.

Honda/Acura Has launched several campaigns such as this 'create your own profile' for your social network, featuring Honda Pilot. Other examples inlcude Acura TSX Facebook page, and a Honda YouTube channel that features a variety of innovation lead videos.

GM launches a Community program -2008 From Neville and Shel of the For Immediate Release program (podcast) "GMnext is more or less a year-long online initiative around the 100th anniversary of the company. Here's a bit of an overview in the event it's close to what you're looking for. Shel did a few podcasts when they launched." Aside from this community initiative, GM continues to push the envelope and has created a 'social media newsroom'.

Chrysler Listens with Insight Community -08 Forming an online community is one thing, but using it to listen to customers, then making changes is another. Chrysler has launched a Customer Advisory Board that allows customers to be involved in a two way dialog to make suggestions. This one was powered by Passenger. Mini's Owners' Lounge By creating an extranet for customers, Mini has let their owners self organize, self-express, and communicate.

GM's many blogs This Chrysler auto focused blog is rich with media, appears to be frequently updated, by void of many comments. Of course many of you know the GM Fast Lane blog, which has been around since 2005, authored by employees such as Bob Lutz, and the GMNext blogs.

Jeep's Patriot Adventure: Choose your own Adventure -2008 Really an example of interactive marketing, not social media (aside for videos going on Youtube) Jeep launches an interactive campaign where members can direct which choices video actors make.

Ford's Social Media Press Release I've never really understood the value of the social media press release, as I'd rather see corporations/employees joining the conversation, as the level of trust will be higher. In any case, Ford has developed a social media press release for it's cars, the layout and visualization of the cars looks fantastic.

Toyota: Master of Africa -2008 I applaud this community site that talks about 4X4 best practices and sharing, as it discusses not only the sponsored brands' discussion of their products, but other companies. Great way to really join the authentic conversations that the market will already have, and attempt to build trust.

Scion Speak let's owners self-express By encouraging owners to create their own personalized emblem, they strengthen member affinity. This is really an example of interactive marketing, not social media. Now, if members were able to take that emblem to their social networking site, then it could spread. Also, there should be a way to print out that emblem and adhere to car.

BMW 1 Series Graffiti Facebook campaign -2008 This is perhaps one of the best case studies of brands getting social media right, like the Dell Regeneration campaign (both by Federated Media) BMW reaches to existing Grafiti users to draw what they think the BMW 1 means to them "What drives you?". The result is astounding, thousands of beautiful pieces of art created, and spread across Facebook.

Saturn gets Community -2008 I've always been impressed with the friendly Saturn brand, from user group sponsorships to the no pressure selling, they offer more of an easy going lifestyle brand. Now, their online community reflects their ethos, with groups, member profiles, and other social networking features

Nissan Finland launches Social Map Mashup This interactive map let's members upload their destinations and images and let's them share with others. It's themed around the various offroad vehicles, trucks, and SUVs by Nissan. It looks like it's a flash app, but I question if that's very useful for mobile users.

United Auto Workers Community The UAW, according to Chuck Gose, "allows workers to submit their stories to about what it means to be a part of the UAW and then other readers can comment or rate the story. They can also submit video."

Various Brands: Social Networking Campaigns Many of these are too minor to point out individually, but there are dozens of brands that have created social network marketing groups or campaigns, and thousands of groups created by owners themselves, a few examples: BMW, Facebook