CarMax Survey Finds Parents Divided Between DVD and GPS as Top Gadget
for Family Road Trips
RICHMOND, Va., May 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --When choosing the must-have car accessory for a long family summer
drive, parents are conflicted. A DVD player and GPS navigation system
tie for top place, according to a just-released survey from CarMax, Inc.
(NYSE: KMX), the nation's largest retailer of used cars.
CarMax today launches its LUV2DRV Facebook campaign to help families
make the most of every moment of their journey to their summer vacation
destination. As part of the campaign, CarMax polled more than 500
families planning to travel with children this summer to find out what
makes for a successful, stress-free trip.
According to the survey, 28 percent of Americans polled say their number
one trip accessory is the DVD player, while the exact same number put a
premium on their GPS device. Younger parents (between 18 and 34 years
old) prefer the DVD player as the most important device (36 percent of
respondents). While older parents (aged 55 and up) say they could not
live without gaming devices on long trips (21 percent).
The longest summer drive on average this year will be about 8.5 hours
(one way). So, more than half of all parents - decidedly more moms than
dads - are bracing for a stressful trip. Fifty-three percent of parents
say they are at least mildly stressed over the drive (58 percent of
mothers vs. 48 percent of fathers). For younger parents (between 18 and
34 years old), the percentage of those feeling stressed rises to 64,
presumably because their kids are younger.
Parents surveyed also cited a need for extra cup holders (14 percent),
luggage rack and folding seats (8 percent) and power supplies (7
percent).
"The drive to a summer vacation destination can be one of the most
memorable and positive experiences for a family," said Joe Kunkel,
senior vice president of marketing and strategy. "With the right car,
the right accessories and a good plan, the trip can be enjoyable."
CarMax offers these tips to make sure your vehicle is road-ready:
-
Check your tires. Inspect the condition of your tires and their tread
depth. Look for any cuts in the sidewalls, and make sure the tire
pressure is set to the manufacturer's recommendations. Make sure your
spare tire is available and in working condition.
-
Replace your windshield wiper blades. You should replace wiper blades
twice a year to ensure maximum visibility in all weather conditions.
-
Change your oil and filters. Your oil and filter should be replaced
every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
-
Pack an emergency supply kit. Put together a care package for your
car, including anti-freeze, oil, screwdrivers, flares, pliers, jumper
cables, flashlight and first aid kit.
For more ideas on how to survive your summer drive, visit http://www.facebook.com/CarMax
and download the LUV2DRV Summer Road Trip Kit - a printable brochure
with fun suggestions to help make your trip headache-free. The kit
includes ideas for old-school games to play on the road, helpful apps
for your smart phone and, most importantly, safety tips and
considerations to make sure your vehicle is ready for the long haul.
People can also enter the CarMax Facebook LUV2DRV giveaway for a chance
to win the grand prize of $2,500 and additional items for a fun family
road trip.
CarMax offers thousands of vehicles to choose from and knowledgeable
sales consultants to help mom and dad choose a vehicle that best meets
their family's summer trip and long-term needs. CarMax also offers a
variety of installed accessories, including GPS navigation systems, DVD
players and satellite radios.
The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax.
The national, random sample consisted of more than 500 U.S. adults who
were interviewed by telephone April 11 - 19, 2010.
About CarMax
CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company, and one of the FORTUNE 2010 "100 Best
Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars.
Headquartered in Richmond, Va., we currently operate 101 used car
superstores in 47 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured
around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection;
high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the fiscal
year ended February 28, 2010, the company retailed 357,129 used cars and
sold 197,382 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more
information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.
SOURCE: CarMax, Inc.
CarMax, Inc.
Britt Farrar, Public Relations Manager
804-747-0422, ext. 3473
Twitter: @CarMax
or
Elia Imler, Public Relations
804-747-0422, ext. 4029
Twitter: @CarMax