[EMAIL] Sears Introduces Revolutionary DieHard Battery
23 December 1999
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Albritton
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
(847) 286-9017
dalbrit@sears.com
Jennifer Howell
Edelman PR
(312) 240-3368
jennifer_howell@edelman.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 1999
SEARS INTRODUCES REVOLUTIONARY NEW DIEHARD BATTERY ENGINEERED TO
START A CAR AND STOP A THIEF
First-of-its-Kind Vehicle Anti-Theft System Now Available to Help
Reduce Car Theft -- America's Costliest Property Crime
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Beginning today, consumers can feel safer
knowing that they have a better choice when it comes to protecting one
of their most precious investments -- their car. Sears, Roebuck and
Co. introduces the DieHard SecurityO battery, a revolutionary vehicle
anti-theft and power saver system that is built into a superior
DieHard battery, the most trusted and most preferred automotive
battery brand in America.
It is the only battery on the market that combines an immobilizing
system to help prevent a vehicle from being stolen and a power
management system that protects the power needed to start your car,
even if the lights or any other accessory is left on.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), more than 1.4
million vehicles -- one every 23 seconds -- were stolen in 1998.
Vehicle theft costs more than $7 billion annually. "Auto theft is by
far America's costliest property crime," said Ed Sparkman, senior
manager, vehicle support for NICB. "We recommend that consumers use a
layered approach when it comes to protecting their vehicles, including
using common sense, warning devices, immobilizers and tracking
devices."
How It Works
Developed for Sears by their exclusive manufacturer, Johnson Controls,
Inc., of Milwaukee, Wis., the DieHard Security battery is easily
operated by a remote control, which can easily fit on a key chain.
With the simple push of a button, the vehicle immobilizing system can
be armed and disarmed. Distinctive "chirping" sounds act as the
system's status indicator: one chirp means the system is armed, two
chirps indicate it is disarmed.
"We spoke to more than 2,000 consumers across the United States in the
development process and they told us they wanted simple, effective
theft protection from a brand they trust," said Kathleen Shanahan,
DieHard brand director at Sears. "Armed with our research, we
incorporated their wants and needs into the DieHard Security battery.
Consumers have always counted on DieHard batteries to start their car,
and now they can count on the DieHard Security battery to help stop a
thief."
While the vehicle anti-theft feature is armed, if any attempt is made
to start the vehicle, whether it is with the actual key, by jump
starting, by push starting or any other attempt to bypass the ignition
system, the battery cuts off power to the vehicle, effectively
immobilizing it. Once the vehicle immobilizing feature is disarmed by
the owner, with the simple push of a button, the vehicle will start
normally.
The DieHard Security battery, exclusively available at more than 1,100
Sears Auto Centers and NTB National Tire & Battery stores nationwide,
is priced at $169.99, which is only $90 more than Sears top of the
line battery, DieHardâ Gold.
The DieHard Security battery is also covered by a three-year full
replacement and 100 month limited warranty, the best DieHard warranty
ever.
It comes in sizes to fit in seven out of 10 cars on the road today and
is as easy to install and use as a battery -- because it is a battery.
Features and Benefits
Along with this state-of-the-art vehicle immobilizing system, the new
DieHard Security battery features an innovative power saver system
that ensures the owner will have enough power to start the vehicle.
For example, if a car owner accidentally leaves the headlights on or
there is any other unexpected power drain that threatens the battery's
starting power, such as a dome light being left on, the power saver
feature automatically knows when to shut down power to all
accessories. This leaves the owner with a battery that has enough
power to start the car. Shanahan adds "Best of all, the power saver
feature is always on, even if the vehicle immobilizing feature isn't
activated."
Other features and benefits of this revolutionary battery include: ·
Rolling Code Technology: Patented "rolling code" technology is
built-in to the vehicle anti-theft system and remote control. Billions
of codes are used, changing each time the system is armed and acting
as a "virtual locksmith."
· Emergency Override: If the remote control is lost, the vehicle
anti-theft system can be reprogrammed "on the spot" with a secure code
known only to the owner.
· Vehicle storage mode: A remote control command enables you to
disconnect battery power from a vehicle, if storing the vehicle for an
extended period of time, without having to disconnect battery cables-a
great plus for seasonal vehicles.
· One-step installation: Because the vehicle anti-theft and power
saver systems are built into the battery, these systems are in place
when the battery is installed.
· Accessory protection: When the vehicle immobilizing feature is
armed, the battery continues to supply power to low-current
accessories and allows others, like the cooling fan and dome light, to
kick on.
· Tamper resistance: If there is any attempt to remove or damage the
security module on the battery, the anti-theft system shuts off power
to the vehicle, completely immobilizing it.
· Toll free customer assistance: A toll free customer service line is
available 24 hours a day, all year, and can help customers with any
questions they might have about the operations of their DieHard
Security battery.
About DieHard
Sears, Roebuck and Co. introduced the DieHard brand of superior
automotive batteries in 1967 after nine years of research and
development. The battery was dubbed "DieHard" after its unfailing
operation over several million miles in test vehicles at various
speeds, climates and altitudes. The first DieHard battery had 35
percent more starting power than other same size batteries because the
case was 50 percent thinner than the traditional rubber cases formerly
the standard in other automotive batteries. The translucent case
allowed for more plates to be placed in the battery, which ultimately
increased starting power. Over the last 30 years, the compelling
benefits and dependability of DieHard batteries have made DieHard the
most trusted and most preferred battery in America. The DieHard
automotive battery line also includes DieHardO Gold, DieHardO Silver,
DieHard RangeHandlerO, DieHard WeatherHandlerO, for use in vehicles
exposed to extreme hot or cold climates, and DieHardO International,
for European import vehicles. According to research on the industry,
DieHard currently maintains nearly a four to one lead in brand
preference over other national battery brands. For more about
information about the DieHard battery line, consumers can call toll
free 1-800-DIEHARD.
About Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, Ill., is a leading U.S.
retailer of
apparel, home and automotive products and services with an annual
revenue of more than $41 billion. The company serves families
throughout the country through 850 full-line department stores and
more than 2,100 specialized retail locations nationwide. Within this
mix of retail outlets, there are almost 800 Sears Auto Centers and
about 300 NTB National Tire & Battery stores that provide name brand
and private-label tires, batteries and related services including
alignments, brakes front-end repairs, shocks and struts. For more
information about Sears, visit the Sears Web site at www.sears.com.
# # #
