New Research Points Toward a Softening of Canadian Auto Sales
Consumers are open to new ways of shopping for and buying vehicles
MARKHAM, ON, March 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Research recently completed shows that 51 per cent of Canadian automotive consumers are likely to purchase a new vehicle over the next 24 months. Although this number is still strong, those surveyed last year were eleven per cent more likely to buy soon, a number highlighted by a record year for Canadian automotive sales. Perhaps this year's numbers suggest that recent forecasts of diminishing auto sales are looming.
"Quite frankly, after such a dramatic ascent in sales over the past couple of years, this makes sense. It would be hard for us to continue breaking sales records throughout 2018 and beyond," says Brad Rome, President, Canadian Black Book.
For the third year now, vehicle values specialists, Canadian Black Book, has designed a poll conducted nationally by Ipsos to gauge Canadian car buying habits, knowledge and trends. This year's edition surveyed 1255 Canadians from coast to coast.
The poll implies that the younger a consumer is, the more likely they are to buy in this timeframe, with respondents aged 18-34 the most likely at 65 per cent, those 35-54 at 57 per cent and those 55 years or older are least likely at 34 per cent. Male respondents show more eagerness to buy in two years at 58 per cent versus females at 44 per cent.
Interestingly, over a quarter (27 per cent) of Canadians are likely to consider purchasing a vehicle fully online, without stepping foot into a dealership. This is an area most OEMs and dealers are looking closely at, for good reason. Age and sex sway these results, where 36 per cent of those aged 18-34 would take buying fully online while only 11 per cent of those over 55 would do so. Males are much more likely at 32 per cent versus females at 21 per cent. "We are not surprised to see that Millennials are over three times more likely to purchase a vehicle online compared to boomers," says Brian Murphy, VP Research and Editorial, Canadian Black Book. "This would be a major shift in automotive retailing, and one that is similar to how Millennials research, shop for and purchase so many of their goods today," he adds.
57 per cent nationally intend to purchase a new vehicle instead of a used one. This statistic is also influenced by age, where older buyers are more likely to by new. Those aged 18-34 intend to by new at 46 per cent, while 59 per cent of respondents 35-54 and 64 per cent of those 55 plus, will likely by a new vehicle.
To see a more comprehensive breakdown of the full Canadian Black Book poll, CLICK HERE
SOURCE Canadian Black Book
For more information or interview requests, please contact: Conrad Galambos, Media Relations, Canadian Black Book, 905-979-7039, [email protected]
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