The Province

Santa has something for every car nut

Special service packages, accessorie­s, custom-fitted seat covers are just a few gift ideas

- BLAIR QUALEY Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Associatio­n of B.C. You can email him at bqualey@newcardeal­ers.ca

The holiday season is upon us, and many of us may struggle with the prospect of finding a special gift for that special someone. For auto enthusiast­s, there are a number of options that may include state of the art technology, special service packages at dealership­s or gifts that range from the basic to the very extravagan­t.

There are several interestin­g gift ideas that could help you dress up your vehicle, ranging from custom-fitted seat covers to custom floor mats. Other practical options may include a roof rack for those who experience a jampacked vehicle every time they venture out on a road trip.

Or for those who don’t want to leave anything to chance, how about a portable battery pack that allows you to boost your vehicle on your own, or a roadside emergency kit?

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. Or perhaps for the music lover, the most meaningful gift may be an upgraded audio system inside their vehicle.

Another camera-related gift option is a dashboard camera. 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. 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.

For car lovers who like to baby their vehicles, many dealership­s offer auto ‘spa packages’ for interior and exterior detailing services. Check dealership websites for any special promotions or gift cards.

We all know the dangers of distracted driving and the consequenc­es that come with it. Cellphone car mounts and USB phone chargers make great stocking stuffers for people of all ages as do car chargers, including wireless charging systems.

Desrosiers Automotive Consultant­s recently released its annual list of the most sought-after vehicles on the holiday wish list. For the fifth year in a row, SUVs proved to be the most popular choice by almost of third of consumers. Electric vehicles claimed second place with a 15.6 per cent response rate.

Pickup-up trucks were preferred by 13.0 per cent of the survey pool, followed by sedans at 9.8 per cent, exotic/ sports cars at 9.1 per cent, and small economy cars at 7.7 per cent.

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