Irony in Motion(Alotta Motion)

[X-Phile]

While cruising the internet, as I usually do, looking at various gadgets and gizmos for my X on which I might spend my money, I ventured into www.nissanusa.com . From there, on the main page, I was redirected to www.xterraplanet.com .

It would seem that Nissan got the idea in their heads that the majority of Xterra owners(or at least enough of us to put it on their main page) are healthy, fit, rugged individuals who spend alot of time running and bounding about for no reason other than the healthy competitivness that it would embody.

Now im not pointing any fingers, or making any assumptions, but ive seen the pics, read the posts, and even dug into the photo galleries that many of you have online, and from what ive seen, myself included, we are for the most part beer drinking, cigarette smoking, overgrown adolescents who enjoy nothing more than driving where we werent meant to drive in the ever elusive quest to find a better place or a different mountain on which to celebrate Miller time.

Now im sure that right about now there are some of you who are becoming irate and screaming things like "I AM NOT LIKE THAT!", OR "I HATE MILLER, I DRINK COORS!", OR "IM HEALTHY NOW, I DONT EVEN SUPER-SIZE ANYMORE AN I DRINK LIGHT BEER!", but it won't change the fact that Nissan was WAY off on this one. Now don't get me wrong, I think that being "Kinda" healthy is a good thing, but I try not to run unless chased, swim about as often as I run, and feel that mountain biking is for people who actually look good in spandex(**See bottom of page).

Heres what the actual championships are ABOOT.

"Why not race your mountain bike across a dormant volcano, instead of around a circular track? Rather than running on a paved street, dash down a mountain trail. Don't circle in the lap lane, swim in the Pacific Ocean. Pro-athletes and amateurs do exactly that at XTERRA races around the world every year. Nissan, proudly sponsors the XTERRA Championships as they bring Xterra owners into the ultimate stadium - the great outdoors.

Combining the laid back style of a mountain biker with the hard-core training and avid dedication of the tri-athlete, the XTERRA 2003 season holds 50 events worldwide. Sites like Lake Tahoe, New Zealand, and the coast of Japan build to the world championships in Maui, Hawaii this October. The competition welcomes moms, dads, students, teachers, CEOs, surfers, and cyclists alike. Find out how you can "join the tribe" at the XTERRA website."

BWAHHH BWAHH BWAH!!

So id like to take a few minutes and give you a run down of some events that would be closer to the hearts and minds of Xterra owners the world over. Or at least the ones here.


XTERRA CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!


Why not race your XTERRA SUV across a dormant volcano, instead of around a circular interloop or freeway? Rather than driving on a paved street, speed down a mountain trail. Don't circle in the left lane, tear down the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Pro-off roaders and amateurs do exactly that at XTERRA races around the world every year. Nissan, Budweiser, E-Z Wider, McDonalds, and SPAM proudly sponsors the XTERRA Championships as they bring Alcoholic French Fry consumers into the ultimate stadium - the great outdoors.

Combining the laid back style of an overstuffed camper with the hard-core training and avid dedication of the powerdrinker, the XTERRA 2003 season holds 50 events worldwide. Sites like Lake Tahoe, New Zealand, and the coast of Japan, not to mention various bars and taverns around the planet, build to the world championships in Maui, Hawaii this October. The competition welcomes campers, partyhounds, and single women over 18 or REALLLLY close to it alike. Find out how you can "join the tribe" at the XTERRA website.


Thats what Nissan should have more realistically presented as the "Xterra Championships", but then again, most of those corporate types dont even drive Nissans, and if they do, its more than likely a Maxima or the penis extension Z.

Just my 2 cents.


**NO-ONE looks good in Spandex

[OffroadX]

Hey, guess what, the regulars here comprise a fraction of a very small minority of Xterra owners that actually take their Xterras off-road and use and abuse them. We are anything but a healthy sampling of the ~80,000 Xterras sold per year.

Want to know exactly what Nissan's marketing department thinks? Here's what they feed their sales force:

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Marketing Info

Positioning
Tough and affordable gear whose inspiring and useful design facilitates outdoor enthusiasts need to attack life wherever they go.

Communication priorities
Xterra fills the unique needs of their active, outdoor lifestyle. Xterra is an indispensable piece of gear. Communicate DQR (Dependability, Quality, Reliability) and affordability.

Competitors
Isuzu Rodeo, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty

Demographics
Age: 24-39; 65% male; 55% single; HHI $35-65K; 70% college graduates

Psychographics
They have a passion for attacking life. They are adventurous, athletic and confident. They do not look beyond their immediate peer group for guidance or role models. Their lifestyle and priorities are centered on the outdoors and physical activities. They work to live, not live to work. They respect authentic people who are not posers. They own, use and value authentic equipment that facilitates their outdoor pursuits.

Lifestage
Our core target, males between the ages 24-39, are starting to hit their stride and mature. Although highly individual, they are also very social and enjoy doing things with their friends. They tend to be trendsetters without trying to set trends.

Lifestyle
Favorite activities are, but not limited to, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, rock climbing and kayaking. They will take the opportunity to run, jump or climb something as long as it is outside in nature. They like to push their personal limits to a balance in life. They need and want a vehicle that will act as a piece of gear to get them and their equipment there.
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There ya go, a rare glimpse inside the Nissan corporate mind.

Brent

[X-Phile]

"Age: 24-39; 65% male; 55% single; HHI $35-65K; 70% college graduates"

I am in the range and scope of all of these.


The mindset that I just cannot even begin to understand is why the hell anyone would buy a 4x4 with no other plans for it than to look good in the driveway. Buy a freaking Momnivan or a grocery-go-getter for christs sake.

Theres nothing adventurous about enduring the rigors of the parking lot at the golf club on a random Monday afternoon.

I think that the dockers generation is taking over.

Hell even BMW has a 4 by now. I wonder if they ever get dirty.