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What’s ailing the U.S. auto industry could be that it’s not redesigning its products nearly enough, according to a study by three economic professors at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The study, titled “Non-Price Determinants of Automotive Demand: Restyling Matters Most,” found that U.S automakers saw their market share drop from 72.9 percent in 1996 to 47.4 percent in 2008. Between 1995 and 2006, Japanese manufacturers restyled their vehicles every third year, while the U.S. manufacturers restyled every four years.
The study found that restyling “represents the dominant determinant of demand in the auto industry.”
A carmaker would have to double its advertising spending to match the impact of restyling, according to Oleg Korenok, the lead author of the study. Professors George Hoffer and Edward Millner were co-authors. The study will be published by the Journal of Business Research.

Swing by the nearest KFC Monday for a free piece of grilled chicken.

The restaurant chain, which made its name by frying is poultry, is giving away the chicken as part of its Grilled Nation campaign.

Kentucky Fried Chicken set up branded vendor carts outside the United Nations building in New York yesterday to “expand the population of Grilled Nation” by feeding UN delegates, employees and visitors.

It’s taking the product to the rest of America Monday for what it’s calling UNFry Day.

There are 22 KFC restaurants in the Richmond area.

The chain says Grilled Nation is 60 million people strong. It’s set up a Web site “to help recruit new citizens.

A digital billboard in New York’s Times Square will track its population growth.

Carytown won’t host a New Year’s Eve party this year. 

The Carytown Merchants Association said the cost of putting on the event is just too expensive. 

Last year, people attending the celebration were asked for a $2 donation, but the merchants association still lost money, according to president Thom Suddeth. He owns Road Runner Running in the West End Richmond shopping district.

The association is already under a lot of strain. It’s been working to spruce up the area, but to get the work done, the association needs money.

It depends on dues for its funds. Roughly 30 percent of the nearly 300 merchants in the Carytown area   are members.

While the public has been debating its future, local grocer Ukrop’s was busy giving away a car.
The family-owned chain handed out a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu earlier this month to customer Mary Capps of Fredericksburg.
Any one who bought a six-pack of Pepsi or spent more than $50 at a Ukrop’s store in August was automatically entered into the drawing. The contest had more than 675,000 entries.
One winner from each store got a key and a chance to start the car.

Capel Rugs in Henrico County is taking in old rugs and donating them to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity.
The retailer launches its “Trade In, Trade Up” today.
For each reusable rug a customer donates, Capel will give them a coupon for 25 percent off and a tax donation receipt. The event runs until Oct. 31. Capel Rugs is at 3995 Deep Rock Road, off of West Broad Street west of Gaskins Road.