Too often when I attend a press event for the launch of a vehicle that has more than two doors, the manufacturer proudly says their amazing new vehicle is purposefully developed for people with an “active lifestyle.”
What is an “active lifestyle,” exactly? It basically means people who are always on the go, seeking entertainment every weeknight, and extracurricular activities on the weekend such as kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, snowboarding, bungee jumping, and being shot out of a cannon. Remember to always wear a helmet.
That’s definitely not me. My “active lifestyle” consists of getting up in the morning, pulling the kids out of bed, feeding them breakfast, making their lunches, throwing them on the bus, rushing through traffic to get to work on time, and rushing back home to pick up the kids from school in the evening; followed by homework, dinner and bedtime stories.
By 8 pm, my brain is fried. I try to relax over the weekend, so rock climbing or parachuting is out of the question.
It’s probably not the type of “active lifestyle” the manufacturers have in mind.
Then again, I don’t think a manufacturer will ever tell us “this bold and breathtaking new vehicle was developed with couch potatoes in mind.” Or how about this enticing tag line: “We painstakingly crafted our new model for those who don’t care about driving pleasure.”
Yes, some people buy a specific model hoping to find happiness behind the wheel. I always thought of a sports car as a less-expensive alternative to a psychologist, provided you use it wisely and legally. Hey, wouldn’t that make a great sales pitch? OK, maybe not.
Some will buy a quiet and comfortable vehicle for the relaxing driving experience. There are some great cars and trucks to control the road rager that lurks inside you.
Some just want a low monthly payment, no matter what the car looks like or how it drives. And I've got no problem with that.
However, I don’t think many people buy these “active lifestyle” marketing tag lines. On the other hand, if you do have this type of lifestyle, pretty much every manufacturer has a car or truck that’s right for you. You’re in luck.
What is an “active lifestyle,” exactly? It basically means people who are always on the go, seeking entertainment every weeknight, and extracurricular activities on the weekend such as kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, snowboarding, bungee jumping, and being shot out of a cannon. Remember to always wear a helmet.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
That’s definitely not me. My “active lifestyle” consists of getting up in the morning, pulling the kids out of bed, feeding them breakfast, making their lunches, throwing them on the bus, rushing through traffic to get to work on time, and rushing back home to pick up the kids from school in the evening; followed by homework, dinner and bedtime stories.
By 8 pm, my brain is fried. I try to relax over the weekend, so rock climbing or parachuting is out of the question.
It’s probably not the type of “active lifestyle” the manufacturers have in mind.
Then again, I don’t think a manufacturer will ever tell us “this bold and breathtaking new vehicle was developed with couch potatoes in mind.” Or how about this enticing tag line: “We painstakingly crafted our new model for those who don’t care about driving pleasure.”
Yes, some people buy a specific model hoping to find happiness behind the wheel. I always thought of a sports car as a less-expensive alternative to a psychologist, provided you use it wisely and legally. Hey, wouldn’t that make a great sales pitch? OK, maybe not.
Some will buy a quiet and comfortable vehicle for the relaxing driving experience. There are some great cars and trucks to control the road rager that lurks inside you.
Some just want a low monthly payment, no matter what the car looks like or how it drives. And I've got no problem with that.
However, I don’t think many people buy these “active lifestyle” marketing tag lines. On the other hand, if you do have this type of lifestyle, pretty much every manufacturer has a car or truck that’s right for you. You’re in luck.