Study Shows VW Golf, LaFerrari Share Online Media Attention in Geneva

Auto shows generate a lot of online buzz, especially when important new cars are launched. One would expect that at least one of the supercars unveiled this year in Geneva received the most media attention, with Ferrari’s LaFerrari being the main candidate. However, reality is little bit more complicated than that.

According to a study from media monitoring firm Kantar Media, the car that swept journalists off their feet at the Geneva show was none other than the mundane Volkswagen Golf!

The seventh-generation of Europe’s default compact car was the online media champion of the show, due to the launch of its GTI version and the Golf being elected the 2013 European Car of the Year.

According to the study, the new Golf was mentioned in 7.0 percent of all the online stories and blogs from journalists, while the McLaren P1 was second, with 6.4 percent. The Alfa Romeo 4C was third (4.3 percent), while the Ferrari LaFerrari came only fourth (4.1 percent). The top 5 list was completed by Chevrolet’s new Corvette Stingray convertible, with 3.9 percent.

However, the Ferrari got the upper hand in social-media chatter, with 4.3 percent of all the consumer-generated comments related to the Enzo’s replacement. LaFerrari’s main rival, the McLaren P1, ranked second in social media with 3.8 percent of feedback, with the Golf taking third place (3.6 percent). Lamborghini’s 3-million euro Veneno was fourth (2.72 percent) followed by the Corvette (2.70 percent).

Kantar Media’s study analyzed nearly 85,407 online news articles and blog posts and 122,762 social media posts and discussions from February 1 to March 6, the show’s last press day.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Autonews Europe

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