Great American Family Road Trip Number One Vacation Choice
Summer Road Trips; Only 14% Sticking to Rigid Travel Itinerary, Majority Opting for More Flexible, Freewheeling Adventures -- Just in Time for Fourth of July, Autobytel's Summer Drive Guide Provides Information Vacationers Need for a Safe, Sane and FUN AdventureAccording to a recent Autobytel Inc. online survey(a), this summer marks the return of the great American family road trip, with the majority of poll respondents planning to load up the kids, ideally in a comfortable, safe luxury sedan or SUV, and explore America's natural treasures and historic landmarks. In response to this trend, Autobytel has launched its "Summer Drive Guide," the Web's A-to-Z summer driving resource, offering information ranging from critical hot weather maintenance checklists and long-distance safe driving advice to expert tips on America's best regional "road food" and hidden highways. The guide is available at www.autobytel.com, www.autoweb.com and www.carsmart.com.
According to Autobytel's survey, 70% of respondents will likely take their kids on their summer road trips. Most are opting for a laid-back, freewheeling approach to their vacation -- with only 14% opting for a set-in-stone itinerary. A renewed emphasis on family in current vacation trends is also indicated by the fact that a quarter of respondents cited "visiting relatives" as the most important part of their summer vacation plans. Even more are looking to explore the best the nation has to offer -- with 65% indicating that the most important part of their upcoming vacation is to enjoy outdoor activities (i.e., camping, hiking, beaches, lakes, mountains, etc.) or visit national parks and historic landmarks. Confirming previously reported offline studies, 76% of Autobytel's online respondents plan to drive to their summer vacation destinations, with nearly half (48%) planning to drive over 1,000 miles round trip.
When asked to name their ideal vehicle to drive on their summer vacation, a solid plurality (35.5%) preferred a luxury sedan or SUV -- more than three times the number who opted for a sporty convertible or an all-terrain truck or SUV. Similarly, 72% indicated that comfort, safety and performance features were the most desirable equipment on their ideal vacation vehicle, far outpacing, for example, the desire for entertainment features (14.5%) or navigation systems (6%).
Autobytel's "Summer Drive Guide": An Essential Primer for the
Great American Road Trip
"We're finding that American families are looking to hit the open roads with open minds -- to just pack up the kids and discover, or rediscover, America," said Autobytel Inc. President and CEO Jeffrey Schwartz. "We designed our comprehensive `Summer Drive Guide' with this in mind, providing everything drivers need to gear up for a safe, sane, memorable, and above all fun, summer trip."
To this end, the "Guide" features tried-and-true driving game ideas -- the classics, plus some new contributions to the genre -- as well as expert travel finance/budget guidelines and fuel-saving tips. Autobytel's special affiliations, meanwhile, provide access to some of the Web's best road trip resources, including the celebrated "Road Food" regional restaurant guide (where else can you search for the best "pulled pork" on Route 10?), bedandbreakfast.com, real-time nationwide traffic reports courtesy of RWA Direct, and a range of sites detailing scenic routes and undiscovered byways, federal lands and historical landmarks.
Of course, safety is the first order of business on any road trip. That's why Autobytel's guide also offers a range of checklists, tips, articles and advice for safe summer driving, with expert information on maintaining vehicles in hot summer weather, handling auto emergencies, avoiding driving fatigue and packing an emergency roadside kit. Autobytel's "MyGarage," which can also be found on each of the Autobytel Web sites, enables drivers to access late-breaking vehicle recall information online -- and avoid potential road hazards caused by faulty parts or systems. ("MyGarage" is an especially welcome convenience, considering that only 9% of the Autobytel survey takers indicated that they generally check to see whether a recall notice has been issued for their summer vacation vehicle.)
Added Schwartz: "We've created a comprehensive one-stop resource for avoiding the pitfalls of summertime car trips, and enjoying the very best that our nation's highways and byways have to offer. Autobytel's `Summer Drive Guide' is like your tires or your radiator fluid -- something you absolutely have to check out before you hit the road."
About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc. , a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. Autobytel Inc. owns and operates the popular Web sites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and Autosite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a leading provider of automotive marketing data and technology. Autobytel Inc. generated an estimated four percent of all domestic new vehicle sales -- $17 billion in car sales in 2001 -- for dealers through its Web sites. Autobytel Inc. is the largest syndicated car-buying content network, reaching millions of unique visitors as they are making their vehicle buying decisions. Autobytel Inc. content and technology has potential exposure to over 90 percent of total Web traffic(b).
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