How Are YOU Watching The Superbowl?

With more than 10,000 seats still available (and we’re sure it has NOTHING to do with the frigid weather or the insane price of the tickets)…we’re guessing that most of you won’t be at the stadium.

But will you JUST be watching it on the big screen?

An interesting survey was just released showing that 61% of respondents will most likely share the ads they see in the Superbowl…on social media.  41.2% said they’d be ON social media during most, if not all, of the game.  55.8% of those surveyed plan on sharing primarily on Facebook.

Over the past several years, we’ve seen a huge shift in the way customers are using technology.  Now more than ever…people are searching for new and used vehicles at Monaco Ford on their smartphones.  It’s one of the many reasons why Ford has incorporated new technology like the My Ford Touch into the new vehicles, allowing hands-free calling and streaming music.

Is the Superbowl any indication of changes we’ll see in the coming years?  Don’t sit on the sidelines – become part of the digital wave.  Follow Monaco Ford on Facebook by clicking here and stay up-to-date on the latest technology!

Are You Attached To Your Car?

A report was released about an hour ago that shows Americans are less and less attached to their cars.

The report is based on a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.  It finds that since peaking in the mid-2000's, the number of miles driven per household, per driver, per vehicle and per person have all fallen off.

What's up with that??

US News interviewed one of the research professors, who blames it not just on the "Great Recession" as so many are calling it...but a boom in the number of people working from home or utilizing public transportation.

Interestingly, new car sales are on the rise significantly again since the "Great Recession".  Perhaps it has something to do with the average age of cars and light trucks on the road in the U.S.  The number now stands at 11.4 years old.

At Monaco Ford in Glastonbury, we always find studies and trends like this to be fascinating.  As we've seen Ford vehicles get better and better, we can understand the rising average age in vehicles.  New Ford vehicles backed by outstanding warranties no doubt play a role in the increase in age.

But we've also seen many people who in the past may have purchased a new vehicle turn to certified pre-owned vehicles. Also backed by an outstanding Ford warranty, these low-mileage vehicles offer an affordable option to many people...including those who may have struggled with credit issues in the past.

We're curious to hear YOUR perspective.  How attached are you to YOUR car?

Dude, Where's My Car?

Most of us have done it…few of us will admit it.  At one point or another, we’ve lost our car.

When that moment of panic sets in as you walk out of the mall, let’s be honest – you’re just as afraid that you are losing your mind as you are that someone stole your car.

It’s sometimes fun to pause for a second and think back to how people would have found their car in the past:

1950 – Start walking the lot.  Shopping centers were smaller, and chances are you’d bump into your neighbor who just happened to park his brand new Ford that he bought at Monaco next to yours so he could rub it in.

1970 – Walk to the nearest club and dance until the middle of the night.  By the time the place closed and you walked back to the lot, yours would be the only one there.

1980’s – Who ya gonna call?  Ghostbusters.

1990’s – Open up your fancy new flip phone and call a friend.  But keep the conversation short…you only have 90 minutes per month.

2008 – Text a friend telling them where you are…but tell them not to respond because every text SENT is free but every text RECEIVED costs $.25.

2014 – You’re a high tech beast.  We’ve found a bunch of apps you can now use to hunt down your car.  The best part?  They’re free!

Hey Dude, Where’s My Car – This app for the iPhone is essentially Google Maps on steroids.  Set your location.  Shop.  Return.

Find My Car – This app is for Androids and iPhones.  It uses the GPS on your phone to lock down your parking spot.  You can also snap pictures and take notes along with set a timer for a parking meter.  We’d recommend you set the timer to go off BEFORE the meter expires.

My StuffFinder – This iPhone app isn’t just for your car – it’s for EVERYTHING.  Your wallet, your lunch, your keys – everything but your phone.  (Get it?  If you lost your phone you’re sort of out of luck.) 

Now keep in mind, these apps all use GPS technology and your phone’s mapping – so you MUST enable GPS to be able to accurately use them. 

Of course our team at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury is always here to teach you about the latest technology pertaining to your cars – so feel free to drop us a line or stop in and visit.

Closing thought: not sure how much money the developers are making on these free apps – so here’s a piece of free advice for them.  “Hey Dude, Where’s The Husband.”  Trust me.  Instant retirement plan.

CT Road Rules Saving Guns and Roses Karaoke Session

Just in time for another snowstorm, Connecticut has passed a law that SHOULD help make the roads a little safer.

Ever been cruising down the highway, minding your own business, rockin’ out to a little Guns and Roses, when a giant sheet of ice or snow flies off the car in front of you and almost causes an accident? 

I’ll self-censor here and NOT type the words that typically come out of my mouth as I narrowly avoid disaster.  I'm sure you can relate.

Back to my point.  This new law in Connecticut forces drivers to clear the snow and ice off of their vehicles before hitting the road.  We thought you should be made aware of it in case you missed the stories in the news.

Some other laws that hit the books in CT in 2013 that you might not have been aware of:

Anyone convicted of distracted driving (phones, coffees, makeup..you name it) will be penalized with one point on their driver’s license.  Fines also went up. 

You’ll get two points on your license for violations of highway work zone safety laws.  Those fines jumped as well.

Busted for driving more than 75mph in a work zone?  Not only will you get hit with a bigger fine…but now you’ll have to attend the operator retraining program.

License points stick around for two years…and if you get more than 10, your license will be suspended.  Unlike college or your relationship where your goal is to rack up as many points as you can...these are NOT the points you want to score.

Sometimes it’s easy to miss new laws when they hit the books…but we’ve got your back. 

One of our favorite new pieces of technology is the streaming option for your phone calls, music and GPS in many of our new Ford vehicles - read: fewer reasons to end up being ticketed.  If you ever want to learn more about the technology – even if you’re not ready to buy – don’t be afraid to hit us up. 

In the meantime, safe travels and Happy New Year!