[vh_supra26]

I use work for click-bait media for a short time. Here is my insight. Let's use the Supra for example.

2011
Toyota wants to bring back a halo sports car. Marketing team contacts media with vague info to gauge public reaction.

Media speculates that it must be a new Supra and it will probably use Toyota's NA 3.5 V6 for the base model and the V8 in the F line as a high-performance version. Media uses old FT-HS concept for photoshop to show their readers what it could look like.

2012
Toyota starts talking to BMW and Calty Design Research starts working on a sports car concept. The two are unrelated at this time. Toyota announces BMW partnership for a midsize sports car.

Media goes crazy and reports its most likely going to be a new Supra and it will use BMW's I6.

2014
Toyota unveils FT-1.

Media, it’s definitely a preview of the next Supra and Z4, but the Supra will be larger because the platform is scalable. Media also starts predicting release date, drivetrains, and making crazy renderings from the FT1.

2016
Toyota, two years later prototypes are finally spotted.

Media makes even more ugly renders.

2017-2018
Toyota throws out a few "leaks". Ex like auto only. Again to gauge public reaction.

Media, we need clicks so we're going to publish it along with our own twist, spins, and speculation to complete the puzzle if you will. Ex the Supra will only be initially offered as an auto, however, we do expect a manual option at a later date.

2019
Toyota, three years after the spy shots the Supra is unveiled at Detroit.

Media, no one gives a shit because the mid-engine C8 is just around the corner.

And the cycle repeats itself.

Edited again lol..

I also forgot to add that the big names like MotorTrend, C&D, Road & Track, Autoblog etc. are given a copy of the press release and certain sets of press photos before the unveiling. It gives them time to write their articles in advance. Sometimes they are even invited to the design studio or HQ to take their own photos, have a behind the scenes look, and Q&A with officials from the company.

With the photos, let’s say there are a total of 140 official press photos that will go along with the press release. What usually happens is each news site only received XX amounts of pics. So if there are any photo leaks the automaker can pin point where it came from and that media is most likely black listed for a certain amount of time.

I know a number of people here despise the clickbait media and believes everything they report is 100% BS (and that maybe the case more so with certain publications) and that automakers hate them for reporting this and that (only when they leak things they aren't suppose too) but automakers and the auto media mutually benefits from one another. Auto media needs info and spy shots to write articles with and automakers need the media to gauge public reaction and hype their upcoming products.