The holiday season is almost upon us, and while many of us may be guilty of scrambling for last-minute presents, you can take advantage of early sales this year to score some good deals for the auto enthusiast in your life.
Today happens to be Black Friday, marking the start of the Christmas season for our neighbours south of the border, but you don’t have to be in the States to find a good deal. Many stores in Canada now participate in Black Friday sales as well for Canadians looking for gift ideas.
From new state-of-the-art technology to special service packages at dealerships, there are auto-related gifts available at every budget to please every driver.
Many new technologies in the market today can be fitted to work on any car – something that can be really convenient, especially if your gift recipient happens to be a driver of an older vehicle. Many older vehicles do not have navigation systems or back-up cameras installed, but these can be easy and useful additions for any driver.
Vehicle backup camera legislation will be coming to Canada next year, making rear-view cameras mandatory in all new cars and small trucks in May 2018. Rear-view cameras are extremely handy with tight parking spots and can make backing up safer by eliminating that blind spot.
Another camera-related gift are dashboard cameras. Designed to record sounds and images while you are driving, dashboard cameras can be a very practical gift for any driver, especially in case of car accidents. Affordable and easily synced to GPS devices, dashboard cameras can provide first-hand evidence of road accidents. For parents with teenagers who are embarking on solo drives for the first time, dash cams can be an important learning tool and also allow parents to see where their teen has been.
GPS systems as well make great gifts. Many models nowadays come with features like map updates, traffic condition updates and built-in dash cams.
For car lovers who like to baby their vehicles, many dealerships offer auto “spa packages” for interior and exterior detailing services. While the weather outside can certainly be frightful during this time of the year, all car lovers look forward to cruising in a shiny car in the Spring months. Make sure to check each dealership’s website for any special promotions or gift cards.
If your gift recipient doesn’t have snow tires installed yet, why not gift them a set? Winters around British Columbia can be snowy and icy, and a fresh set of snow tires are always a practical gift. And speaking of practicality, jump starter gear or an emergency car kit can be the most appreciated gifts when they’re needed.
We all know the dangers of distracted driving and the consequences that come with it. Cell phone car mounts and USB phone chargers make great stocking stuffers for people of all ages and so do car chargers, including wireless charging systems.
If you’re having trouble finding the perfect auto gift, visit your nearest new car dealership for help. Our experts would be happy to assist and are knowledgeable when it comes to anything auto-related.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
