From hands-on product demonstrations to state-of-the-art drive-in service bays getting your car ready for the road has never been easier

BOWMANVILLE, ON, Oct. 19, 2011 /CNW/ -To further establish its position as Canada's automotive authority, Canadian Tire today unveiled a new automotive retail concept at the Bowmanville location - the automotive store of the future. While continuing to bring Canadians the latest, broadest and most innovative automotive product selection, the store's customer experience has been completely re-invented to provide Canadian drivers everything they need to increase the performance and safety of their vehicles.

"We believe shopping for auto products and the service experience should be stress-free, hassle-free and as exciting as driving a new car out of the dealership," said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Automotive at Canadian Tire. "Our automotive store of the future is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement of the customer experience; we will set a new standard in the automotive industry."

Every area of the store has been redesigned with the customer in mind. Some of the features and customer experiences, many unique to the automotive market, include:

• Our iconic tire wall has been redesigned to showcase our leading breadth of product and to provide customers access to more product information at eye level
• The service area has been re-invented to provide a whole new level of service including drive-in reception, express lube oil and filter as well as a state-of-the-art auto detailing bay
• Customers will be able to test their in-car audio entertainment systems, GPS and car safety electronics before they buy them in a new sound booth
• The Family Solution Zone is dedicated entirely to bringing consumers the latest products and information necessary to improve their safety on the road - it includes everything from child seats to safety electronics

Canadian Tire has also made a significant investment in technology - the largest in the company's history - and training throughout the dealer network in order to provide front-line employees with the tools and information they need to provide the best possible customer experience.

The automotive store of the future is one of many initiatives that showcase Canadian Tire's commitment to transforming the customer experience. Last month Canadian Tire launched an online tire store allowing customers to make informed tire purchases from their home. Last year saw the introduction of in-store tire look-up kiosks providing customers access to more product information than ever before. Canadian Tire also launched the all-new Driver Magazine, which is poised to become one of Canada's leading resources for all things automotive.

About Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC.a) (TSX:CTC) is one of Canada's most-shopped general retailers and the country's largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast. Our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance. Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands.

Image with caption: "Canadian Tire unveils new automotive store of the future. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111019_C5539_PHOTO_EN_5060.jpg

Image with caption: "Canadian Tire unveils new automotive store of the future. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111019_C5539_PHOTO_EN_5058.jpg