Remember when you thought these guys were cool?

A while back, I offered some winter driving tips, showing you some excellent video on stability control and traction control, which I felt were two excellent features to have in your next Ford vehicle.

Today I want to give tips for parents who have a new driver in their family. These are very important points I’m about to make.

(1) Be careful how many teens you allow in a car

Peers raise the accident rate. The risk of a teen driver being involved in an accident increses about 40 percent with one teen riding, then doubles and quadruples with three or more teens aboard.

(2) Seatbelts on

This is obvious. Make sure your child is well aware of the risks involved with not being properly buckled.

(3) No car at school

School is a busy place for your kids. Plus, it’s where we used to love showing off to our peers. Studies show that boys are twice as likely to get killed in car crashes than girls.

(4) Set a curfew

The most dangerous time for teen drivers is after 9 p.m., according to studies. Don’t be afraid to set curfews with your teen driver.

(5) The ten and two o’clock rule

AKA Hands on the wheel. It’s not just the teens who are distracted today by food, drinks, cell phones. More on this in point seven.

(6) Delay the driving age

The accident rate for 16 year olds is much higher than 17 year olds. Don’t feel pressured to get your teenager on the road. Maturity and a little confidence can go a long way. Remember this!

(7) The latest in Ford technology

Ford has incredible technology that will inspire safe and confident driving, and allow you, as a parent, to remain secure whenever your teen is enjoying their vehicle. Ford SYNC is the ultimate communication device — it allows cell phone and media player use through voice commands. This ensures a fun and safe ride.

I’d also recommend your next vehicle be equipped with Ford’s MyKey. This allows you to pre-set maximum car speed and stereo volume for your young driver.

Less speed will mean a saving in fuel and perhaps the life of your child.

How great is free Ford SYNC on a Mustang?

* No-Charge SYNC Offer

* $1,000 Costco Member Offer

* $1,000 Orphan Conquest Offer

* Ford’s “Recycle Your Ride” Program

* 0% Financing on certain Ford models

Take full advantage of these special offers during the final week of February.

John Nault, of Team Nault
Mid-Town Ford
100-1717 Waverley Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
teamnault@gmail.com
204-284-7650

Ford Fiesta at the 2010 Toronto Auto Show

Ford’s critically acclaimed global subcompact is finally here! Set to go on sale this summer in sedan and hatchback forms, the Fiesta offers plenty of zip and grin-inducing handling. It’s well-equipped too with seven standard airbags and stability control. It will also be available with Ford’s sophisticated Sync voice control system and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Prices start at $12,999.

Research a new Ford Fiesta

Thanks for visiting the Team Nault site today. I look forward to meeting and serving you soon.

Sincerely,

John Nault, Team Nault

I don’t mean to put a damper on everyone’s weekend by talking about winter, but I wanted to post a video on winter driving that never fails to amaze me. It’s from the Discovery Channel.

The video, entitled “How Effective is Stability Control”, gives the viewer great insight into what I think is probably the best advancement in vehicle safety since the invention of the seatbelt.

Many of us who sell vehicles often fail to properly sell the benefits of traction and stability control beyond simply mentioning to our customers that the such-and-such car, truck, or SUV they test drove is equipped with it.

This technology is pretty much currently found across Ford’s entire product line.

I’ve often directed my customers to this actual video, just so they can fully appreciate the safety they are gaining in their new vehicle.

Let’s make sure you’re next car has stability control, so you’re ready to handle that April blizzard! Thanks for allowing me to share it with you all today.

John Nault, of Team Nault
Mid-Town Ford
100-1717 Waverley Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
teamnault@gmail.com
Tel: 204-284-7650

Automotivaters

  I just completed the first day of a two-day training session.  The sessions are being held by Automotivaters.  This company, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, trains car sales professionals all over the world.       

Realizing I had to give up two days on the sales floor, I was quite reluctant about attending.      

I have attended Automotivaters before, at the start of my car sales career, in early 2008.  For the past two years, I have  had a pretty solid belief that I know how to say hello to customers on the lot, shake their hand, and get them to test drive, and, hey, maybe even purchase a car.      

Now, I’m sure I’m like many people out there who have attended a seminar or training session of some sort — we take in loads of information, get pumped, and swear we’re going to change the way we do our jobs — meaning, if you sell cars, for instance, you’re going to sell 35 a month!      

Well, two years into the business, I’ve discovered that selling 35 cars a month won’t happen overnight, let alone a decade.  But have I taken in anything worthwhile  upon my Automotivaters revisiting?  Absolutely, I have.       

Not only has the course been updated to where the automotive industry is in 2010, it’s reminded me about putting a priority on the customer’s needs.  This may have been something I failed to take a better look at in 2008 due to my rookie’s enthusiasm.      

Part of doing a good job means spending a few more minutes with the customer, getting to know them better, finding out how they will be using the vehicle they want to buy, making sure I present as perfect a vehicle — being a consultant in the truest sense of the word.  Often, those one or two extra questions will get to the heart of what the customer feels is right for her.       

I look forward to getting back on the sales floor this weekend, eager to show my customers the extra service I am able to provide them, thanks to a couple days back in school.      

John Nault, of Team Nault
Mid-Town Ford
100-1717 Waverley Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
204-284-7650

As part of our commitment to bringing all our Team Nault customers the latest news from the auto industry, we today include this latest recall information about Honda airbags….    

http://www.driving.ca/research-car/news/Honda+expands+airbag+recall+more+Toyotas+probed/2545458/story.html