MUST-HAVE PRODUCTS YOUR CUSTOMERS NEED TO STAY AHEAD OF WINTER STORMS
Winter weather will be here before you know it. It’s a busy time of year, as consumers all across the country get ready for holiday travel to visit family and enjoy holiday parties. Last year, AAA estimated 102 million people got behind the wheel for a holiday road trip. They also estimated over 960,000 motorists would need to be rescued. Dead batteries, lockouts, and flat tires would be the main culprits.
There’s no reason to assume 2019 will be any different.
REALITY CHECK—STATS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL BY CAR
Among other things, the Federal Highway Administration tracks accident and fatality statistics. Their last compilation is a 10-year average of stats from 2007 to 2016. The chart below gives an excellent snapshot of yearly driving statistics during the winter months.
So, although holiday travel is surrounded by excitement, it can be fraught with problems. Fortunately, there are products that you can sell to make winter travel safer for your customers.
DEAD BATTERY? PROVIDE THE POWER!
Every car owner dreads this nightmare scenario—the car is loaded down, ready to take off on a winter excursion, but then it doesn’t start. Or worse, they’re already on the road and pull over to refill the gas tank or grab a bite to eat. When finished, they try to start the car only to discover the battery is dead.
Winter weather can be hard on car batteries, so make sure your customers can keep theirs charged. Petra offers a number of jumpstarters for the garage or that can easily be tucked away inside a car so they can get back on track with their holiday travel plans.
OUT OF ROUND? FILL UP THOSE FLAT TIRES!
According to Goodyear.com, “For every 10 degrees of temperature drop, tires will drop 1-2 pounds of pressure.” So, it’s not surprising that many cars ride on underinflated tires during winter holiday travel.
Proactively topping off tires outside at a gas station is awkward at best. Checking and filling them in the relative comfort of a home garage with a fast-filling air compressor is much better. And nothing beats a portable air compressor for tire issues while on the road.
GET A GRIP! DEFEATING POOR TRACTION
Gripper tracks help your customers get out of snow, mud, dirt, or sand. And be sure to stock kitty litter and sand as well!
NO BARS? BRING ON THE BOOST!
A tire blowout, getting stuck in a ditch, or even engine trouble out in the middle of nowhere are situations that require reaching out for help. If they are stuck in rural areas with poor cellular service, calls for help could be problematic. Cell phone signal boosters are ideal in situations like this. They improve cellular signal strength by up to 60%! Plus, they help preserve cell phone battery life as the devices aren’t having to work as hard to find a signal.
Portable power banks and cell phone car chargers also provide valuable power backup to smart devices when needed.
STAYING SAFE! RIDING OUT THE STORM
Being stranded in a car while waiting for help is no fun at all. In fact, it can be dangerous, even life-threatening. Every car should have a winter prep kit. Elements should include:
- Emergency locator beacons help rescue vehicles find cars when there’s poor visibility
- Warning triangles also call attention to stranded cars
- A first-aid kit is an absolute must. Whether it’s a basic kit or one that is also a survival kit, every car traveling needs one.
- Hand crank radios keep motorists from draining their car batteries in order to stay abreast of news and changing weather conditions. They also eliminate the need for carrying batteries plus usually incorporate a flashlight as well.
- One or more portable flashlights should be in the kit too
- The jack-of-all-trades multi-tool bristles with an arsenal of handy tools no car should be without
- Blankets fold compactly yet are lifesavers when the temperatures drop.
For a complete list of products for winter car kits, check out this one-page check list from the American Red Cross. Post it in your store. Better yet, hang it above a special display you create that has all the needed products. And be sure to share it on your social media posts, too.
SPOILER ALERT! LAY ON THE LUXURY
Other holiday travel products you can carry are designed to pamper passengers and drivers alike plus make the journey more comfortable:
- Remote start systems are very popular during winter months. They let your customers get the car warmed up from the warm comfort of inside their homes or the shopping mall.
- Neck rests allow passengers to snooze comfortably during those long road trips. Some even offer massaging action!
- Heated blankets help keep drivers and passengers comfy.
- Fridge/warmers also plug into a vehicle’s 12-volt accessory port. They can help keep food and drinks either cold or warm while on the road.
- A heated travel mug ensures coffee, tea, or cocoa stays warm. Fill it with cool water and soon the water will be hot enough for making instant oatmeal, hot chocolate, and more.
- Folding carts cut down on luggage struggles, reducing trips to and from the car
ARE WE THERE YET? FIND GRANDMA’S HOUSE WITH EASE!
Every holiday journey has a particular destination. As winter travel often means going someplace unfamiliar, GPS navigation for cars helps drivers get from Point A to Point B, even when driving conditions are poor. In-vehicle GPS receivers have 10 excellent advantages over smartphones with a map app. Note that some features may not be available on all personal navigation devices.
- Can be left in the car since it is dedicated to navigation
- Large and easy-to-read screen, even in daylight
- Spoken street directions in a voice that sounds like a real-live human being
- Real-time traffic updates and guidance are based on landmarks and lights rather than small street name signs. These updates also help the driver avoid traffic jams .
- Photo-realistic images of junctions
- Includes a database of millions of points of interest and the ability to find nearest services based on current location
- Trip computer that records mileage, maximum speed, total time, and more
- Accepts voice commands
- Has A/V inputs to accept a wireless backup camera
- Allows users to connect their Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, access its contact list and make hands-free calls
END OF THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL JOURNEY
Although the season is festive, winter travel is serious business. You want each and every one of your customers to make it safely home. Equip them to weather upcoming winter road journeys! Find what they need at petra.com.