It really shouldn’t surprise you
that automakers are setting their
sights on the most infuential buy-
ers. They purchase more than 60
percent of the new cars each year,
and they directly or indirectly
account for 8 out 10 purchasing
decisions. What may surprise you is who this new
infuencer is: Women.
While automakers may not be doing the hard-sell
on female-friendly features in new vehicles, they
defnitely are looking at little details that might
make her life a little easier. The kicker: What makes
her life easier helps him, too. So, as you are wander-
ing through the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, be sure to
check out some of my favorite features making the
rounds for 2013.
Let it slide
One of the coolest things I’ve seen this year is
the standard tilt-and-slide second-row seat in the
all-new 2013 Infniti JX and sibling 2013 Nissan
Pathfnder. This innovative feature allows the second
row to slide forward and backward 5½ inches, and
with a slight tilt, it gives easy access to the third
row – with a child seat installed in the second row.
This is key for the family who might have two car
seats installed and still need that third row for extra
passengers. The tilt-and-slide operation is easy to do
with one hand, and children as well as small adults
will be able to climb to the back easily.
Look, Mom, no hands!
At this point we’ve all heard of keyless entry and
hands-free calling, but Ford takes going hands-free
to a whole new level. On the all-new 2013 Escape,
the automaker introduced a power liftgate with a
touchless open. All you have to do is kick your foot
underneath the tailgate, and voila! Whether you’re
carrying groceries, offce supplies or more precious
cargo, you never have to lift a fnger, literally, to get
the back door open. This feature is available begin-
ning with the mid-level SEL model, with a price tag
that tops $30K.
Now you see
it, now you
don’t
From iPads to
iPasses to wallets
to spare change,
we all haul stuff
around in our
vehicles that we’d
rather not let pass-
ersby see when we
park. Sometimes,
the trunk isn’t the
most convenient
storage space, and
the center console
might not be big
enough. Besides,
aren’t those the
obvious places
By Jill Ciminillo
Drive, She Said
What a Woman Wants, a Man Can Appreciate
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2013
24
More Than100,000 Veh i c l es Jus t A Cl i ck Away…Dr i veCh i cago. com