Planning to Travel This Holiday Season? More Than Half of Americans Will Take to the Road, According to a Survey Conducted by Ch
15 Novembre 2005 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
- Forty-four percent of people surveyed say they are willing to
drive up to 750 miles - Slightly more than one in four adults (27
percent) prefer flying over driving regardless of travel distance -
Keep kids entertained and prevent motion sickness by using the
backseat DVD player - Drivers can further enhance their fuel
economy by following simple tips from Chrysler Group AUBURN HILLS,
Mich., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Research released today
found that more than half of Americans are planning to drive more
than 100 miles this holiday season despite slightly higher gas
prices, according to a national survey conducted by Goodmind, LLC
on behalf of Chrysler Group. New vehicle safety standards,
entertainment features and enhancements in comfort have
revolutionized the family road trip experience of today and make
longer road trips more desirable to the traveler. Additional
results of the survey of Americans' travel experiences found that
55 percent of adults find road trips more enjoyable now than when
they were kids and 60 percent wish their earlier vehicle had either
a DVD system (35 percent) or navigation system (25 percent).
"Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel weekends of the year,"
said Jeff Bell, Vice President - Chrysler Marketing, Chrysler
Group. "The Chrysler Pacifica offers flexibility and utility
without sacrificing comfort or style. This modern vehicle gives
drivers and passengers the opportunity to enjoy traveling together
in the safety of their own vehicle." Chrysler Pacifica Road Trip
Savvy Tips With so many Americans taking to their vehicles this
year, Chrysler partnered with family travel expert and editor of
FamilyTravelForum.com , Kyle McCarthy, to offer parents tips on how
to survive the 2005 holiday travel season: * Enlist kids to help
with the packing and it won't take so long. Give each child his own
bag for essential toys, books and entertainment, and tuck it safely
between the Chrysler Pacifica's individual seats. * If you pack the
cargo hold the night before departure, stash a family overnight bag
with toiletries and PJs on top, so you won't have to spend time
unloading en route. * While inventions like side-curtain air bags
and the Chrysler Pacifica's 5-Star front- and side-impact safety
ratings make the road trip a much safer experience, it's the
innovative backseat entertainment system that keeps kids happily
strapped in - and that contributes to safety. * Ceiling mounted DVD
players are more than entertaining; they help prevent carsickness
by keeping passengers oriented in the same direction as the
vehicle. Chrysler Pacifica offers a rear DVD video and
entertainment system, so parents and kids can choose their own form
of entertainment. * Eyes-straight-ahead games like "I Spy" and
books-on-tape are better than reading for kids who are prone to
motion sickness. Older kids have fun polishing their grades with
Language CDs. Bring along a kitchen timer, and all ages can play
"20 Questions" or "Geography." * Kids can be a great help with
remembering items for a trip. Determining a road trip allowance for
each child, then letting them know they'll have to chip in to buy
any forgotten essentials will ensure that everything makes it into
the suitcase. "Even with higher gas prices, families will be
traveling this holiday season," said Kyle McCarthy, editor -
FamilyTravelForum.com. "An old fashioned road trip in today's
vehicles allows families to spend quality time together, surrounded
by the latest features in safety, comfort and state-of- the-art
technology as compared to when mom and dad were kids." Maximize
Fuel Economy While today's vehicles are more fuel efficient
compared to years ago, there are still additional measures people
can take to further enhance their fuel economy. Following are a few
ideas from Chrysler Group. Modifying Driving Habits * Reduce speeds
- 65 mph is much better than 75, sometimes improving fuel economy
by more than one mpg. Every 5 mpg over 65 mpg can decrease fuel
economy by as much as 7 percent. * Use modest acceleration when
possible, minimizing "jack rabbit" starts. * Use cruise control to
help maintain a steady speed. * Limit extended idles and warm up
periods -- don't leave vehicles idle while running in for the cup
of coffee in the morning. * Plan your trip to avoid rush hour, if
you can, to avoid idling in traffic. Check Vehicle Condition *
Ensure proper vehicle maintenance. * Replace dirty air filters -- a
clogged air filter can reduce fuel economy as much as 10 percent. *
Check tire pressures -- tires under inflated by just 2 psi can
reduce fuel economy as much as 1 percent. * Remove extra weight
from vehicles -- an extra 100 pounds in the trunk or pick up box
can lower fuel economy 1 to 2 percent. * Reduce aerodynamic drag on
vehicle by taking empty cargo carriers, bike racks, ski racks, etc
off -- at highway speed, 50 percent of the engine power is used to
overcome aerodynamic drag. * Keep vehicle engine tuned up as a
noticeably out of tune engine can reduce fuel economy as much as 4
percent. * If vehicle engine light is on, have the vehicle serviced
-- faulty components such as an oxygen sensor can reduce fuel
economy as much as 40 percent. Survey Says Chrysler and Goodmind,
LLC conducted a national survey to determine how men and women
viewed family travel. According to those surveyed, the two biggest
changes in the way we travel today are in safety (31 percent) and
entertainment/DVD systems (31 percent). Additional survey results
showed: * Prep Time: Families spend an average of nine hours
packing for road trips; parents spend 23 percent longer packing for
a road trip than adults without children. * On The Road Again:
Eighty-three percent of the respondents take at least one road trip
with their families every year, with nearly one in five (19
percent) taking four or more trips annually. * On The Road with
Children: Seventy percent of families with children go on two or
more road trips each year, which means parents take an average of
39 percent more trips annually than adults without children. * Trip
Down Memory Lane: Fifty-five percent of those surveyed say that
long road trips are more enjoyable now than when they were kids;
the "License Plate Game" was identified by 32 percent of adults as
their favorite travel game when they were young followed by reading
(21 percent). * Forget Me Not: The two most forgotten items when
preparing for a road trip were cameras/video cameras (25 percent)
and toothbrush/toiletries (22 percent). * Keeping Busy:
Twenty-eight percent of adults play games with their children to
keep them entertained on road trips, while 26 percent of parents
give their children snacks. About the Chrysler Pacifica With its
segment-busting innovative flexibility, abundant safety features
and elegant design, the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica offers the best
features of a car, SUV and minivan all rolled into one. Features
available on 2006 Chrysler Pacifica models include luxurious first-
and second-row heated leather seating, rear DVD entertainment
system, supplemental three-row side-curtain air bags, driver's side
inflatable knee blocker, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals,
ParkSense(TM) rear back-up system, SIRIUS satellite radio and an
in-dash navigation system. The 2006 Chrysler Pacifica line-up
features three models available in front- or all-wheel drive and
five- or six-passenger seating configurations. The entry-level
five-passenger Chrysler Pacifica, the nicely equipped six-
passenger Chrysler Pacifica Touring model and the top-of-the-line
Chrysler Pacifica Limited offer consumer's clever utility and
oceans of value. Methodology Goodmind, LLC, a New York City-based
research and consulting firm, fielded the 11 question survey on
behalf of Chrysler Group. The study was conducted using online
methodology to assess consumers' traveling experiences,
specifically family road trips. A total of 1,099 adult respondents
18 years of age or older participated in the survey. The data were
statistically tested against subgroups using t- and z- tests; with
an overall confidence level of 90 percent. DATASOURCE: Chrysler
Group CONTACT: Carrie McElwee, +1-248-512-2664, , or Jodi Tinson,
+1-248-512-2944, , both of Chrysler Group; Lauren Vidovich of
Clear!Blue, +1-312-464-1984, ext. 250, Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://familytravelforum.com/
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