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For Auto Dealers, Pets are Customers, Too

Posted by Kris Coughtry | Thu, Mar 28, 2013 @ 10:15 AM

buying a pet friendly carMany of us consider our pets to be important members of the family. We transport the family dogs to play dates, the park, the vet’s office and to the beach. We bring them along to keep us company while running errands. They join us on vacations and to our favorite camping spots. Their comfort translates to our own. Finding a vehicle that provides safety for the family, including the pet passengers, is a major “must have” on the automobile shopping list for those in the market for a new car.

Automotive industry reviewer Edmunds.com recently updated their list of Top 10 Pet-Safe Vehicles. The list highlights vehicles that have features compatible with toting your pet around town. Some of the features the reports mentions include the ability to secure and stash pet-related gear when driving and zoned climate control to ensure that pets in the back stay warm, or cool, and comfortable.

Many of the vehicles on the list are SUVs which provide room and easy access to large crates and carriers, often have rear-folding seats and are sometimes equipped with ramps.

Rear-view cameras are included in features for pet owners and the cameras can help an owner avoid hitting and injuring an animal, while in reverse. Also popular are sliding rear doors and side-curtain airbags. Keyless entry can be handy for those managing a pet on a leash.

Top of the list is the Dodge Journey. Edmonds noted that the Journey has in-floor storage bins, a rear-view camera and an in-dash cooler that could be used to store pet food or medicine.

Here are the other vehicles mentioned for their pet safety features:

  • Ford Flex
  • GMC Acadia
  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Jeep Liberty
  • Kia Soul
  • Mazda Mazda 5
  • Mitsubishi Outlander
  • Subaru Tribeca
  • Volvo XC70

Of course, overall size, breed and quantity of pets all play a big part in determing which safety features customers are looking for when buying a new or pre-owned vehicle. Taking care to provide adequate room, a crate or pet safety seat makes a difference for any vehicle.

Just as auto dealers point out “family friendly” features to accommodate children, pointing out features that keep our four legged friends safe and comfortable may be just what is needed to help sell more units.

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As someone in the automotive industry, do you feel that pet-friendly features help you sell? 

 

Topics: Auto Dealerships

Written by Kris Coughtry