Buick calls creative pitch for launch of two new car models

A source close to the account told Campaign Asia-Pacific that Bates, Lowe, and BBDO were among the agencies invitied. One briefing presentation was held on 12 November, and the second briefing will be happening this week, with the pitch presentations to be held in early December, according to the source.

Bates China has been the creative AOR for Buick in China for 12 years. However, Lowe China won the Buick Encore account from SGM. "Now every project is a pitch—a sign for Bates," the undisclosed source said.

Lowe Shanghai launched its campaign for Buick's new Encore SUV in October afrer winning the project in August.

In other auto-industry news in China, the China Daily reported today that a joint venture of China auto giant Chery and Britain-owned luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover began construction on a manufacturing plant last Sunday in East China's Jiangsu province.

The plant, with a total investment of US$2.8 billion (RMB 17.5 billion), will have an ultimate annual output of 250,000 passenger vehicles.

According to a recent research study by R3 and Admaster, although sales growth in the auto industry in China has diminished this year, digital growth will still be as high as 32 per cent, with local car brands investing more heavily online than MNC brands.