Image seeking traits top the list among Canadian drivers: Kijiji study

But conservative, cautious habits still abound behind the wheel

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Still think Canucks are the most modest people around? Think again. An international study of more than 10,000 drivers from 10 countries for the classified website Kijiji places more Canadian drivers in the category of "Image Seekers" than any of the report's other driver personas, and above the global average in this category.

The Kijiji report categorizes Canadian and international drivers among seven different personas based on driver habits and opinions, as follows:

• Image Seekers (27 per cent) - brand, design and styling are more important than among other personas. Global average: 23 per cent
• Reliability/Efficiency Seekers (22 per cent) - brand is less of a priority, but reliability, efficiency, and running costs matter. Global average: 22 per cent
• Performance Seekers (17 per cent) - handling and power are higher up on the list of priorities.  Global average: 17 per cent
• Necessity Drivers (19 per cent) - say a car is just a tool to get from A to B. Global average: 17 per cent
• Risk Takers (five per cent) - parks carelessly, more likely to drink and drive. Global average: 11 per cent
• Cautious Drivers (five per cent) - rarely has accidents or damages their car. Global average: four per cent
• Accident Prone (five per cent) - despite less obvious risk taking they are still prone to accidents. Global average: six per cent

"When it comes to Canadian drivers, Image Seekers have overtaken Efficiency Seekers, though many stereotypically modest Canadian traits continue on the road," says Scott Neil, Head of Autos, Kijiji Canada. "Luckily, as Canada's largest automotive listing website, Kijiji has cars of every make and model to suit all types of drivers."

DREAM CARS

While Image Seekers and Performance Seekers combined account for close to half (44 per cent) of Canadian drivers, as a nation, we are still understated when it comes to the cars we covet.  When asked to list their "dream vehicle", Canadians gravitate to more modest luxury brands such as BMW (14 per cent), Mercedes-Benz (11 per cent), or Lexus (nine per cent) versus supercars like Lamborghini (six per cent), Ferrari (four per cent), or Rolls-Royce (four per cent).

BUYING HABITS

Notwithstanding our tendency to value style slightly above substance, when it comes to colour, Canadians prefer classic, neutral tones over bright and bold. Sensible silver is the most popular car colour in Canada, preferred by 18 per cent of drivers, followed by basics blue and black (15 per cent each) and good old grey (14 per cent).  Just 11 per cent of us opt for racy red.

As a nation, Canadians also approach car buying pragmatically, with nine out of 10 (89 per cent) acknowledging that a new car's value depreciates when driven off the lot.¹ When it comes to new versus used vehicle purchases:

• Five out of six Canadians (83 per cent) have owned a used vehicle
• Sixty-three per cent of Canadians would buy a used vehicle because they feel that new cars are too expensive
• Three out of 10 Canadians (29 per cent) feel that used vehicles are just as good as new ones, and that new vehicles are not worth the extra money
• One in five Canadians (19 per cent) would buy a used car in order to get their particular dream vehicle

DRIVING HABITS

The Kijiji study also reveals that, once behind the wheel, Canadians are more careful and conscientious on the road compared to the global average:

• Just five per cent of Canadian drivers fall into the "Risk Takers" persona compared to 11 per cent of drivers globally
• While 17 per cent of Canadians report scraping or scratching their car in a minor accident over the last year, 21 per cent globally say they've had a fender bender
• Ten per cent of Canadian drivers admit to getting a speeding ticket over the last year compared to 16 per cent of the global population surveyed

TIPS ON BUYING A USED CAR ONLINE

"With over 250,000 Canadians actively selling their vehicles on Kijiji, our selection of local used car listings will get you where you need to go fast — whether you're seeking a Ford or a Ferrari," says Neil.

Kijiji's top tips for Canadians when buying a vehicle online:

• Know the History - Always ask the seller for a car's Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), CarProof Vehicle History Report, mileage, and repair history
• Inspect - Have a professional inspection done by a licensed technician to save money down the road, and look for potential issues with the tires, body or interior
• Test Drive - Don't buy a car before taking it for a test drive, preferably when the engine is cold.  Try various speeds, different types of roads, parking and idling. Make sure all of the lights and electronics are working.  Even a short test drive can help identify problems.

Survey Methodology

The International Car Survey was conducted this year by Redshift Research among a sample of 10,054 drivers from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the UK. From the Survey, 1,016 Canadian interviews were conducted.  The margin of error for the Canadian sample is +/- 3.1% 19 times out of 20.

About Kijiji Canada
Kijiji, which means "village" in Swahili, is the number one classifieds website in Canada, connecting eleven million buyers and sellers each month. Kijiji offers Canadians a free, easy and local way to buy, sell and trade goods and services in their community. With local sites for more than 100 cities and towns across the country, Kijiji makes it easy for Canadians to find exactly what they're looking for in their own community.

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¹ Kijiji Cost of New Survey, 2011

SOURCE: Kijiji Canada

For more information or to set up an interview with Scott Neil of Kijiji Autos, please contact:

Kyla Kryski
Environics Communications
416-969-2729
[email protected]