How much influence does ‘change’ have on today’s car shopper? In the past, financial motivations drove the behavior of car shoppers, but our desire to simply change is viewed as the main reason we shop for a car today, according to a new study from the car-leasing marketplace Swapalease.com.
 
According to results of an online survey presented to more than 1,000 drivers across America, car shoppers view their vehicle experience in much the same way they view their mobile device. Simply put, we love it for a little over a year and then it’s on to the next one. And with low monthly payments aplenty, many drivers have become accustomed to simply making a payment, month after month and vehicle after vehicle, similar to their mobile plan.
 
“Whether it’s your car or your phone, we all live in this new mobile mentality,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. “And it doesn’t stop there, because consumers have become accustomed to change in many areas of their lives, including their residence, wardrobe, career path and even the people we decide to spend our lives with – for now.”
 
According to data from the survey results, cars are more closely aligned with mobile technology, which appears to be just as permeable to a desire for change as the auto industry. In fact, according to Recon Analytics, a research firm that monitors the worldwide mobile industry, Americans change their phones most frequently compared to every other country. Americans change their cell phones every 21.7 months, and this number is expected to drop with the introduction of new contract-escape-friendly plans offered by the cellular providers.
 
Key highlights of the study:

Men (59.5%) and women (60.7%) would like to change their vehicles as often as they change their mobile phone
In addition to change, Men (42.0%) and women (50.0%) say the biggest reason to get a new vehicle is because it comes with a new warranty
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are the two brands men and women would like to change into the most, while Chrysler and Dodge were the least likely targets for change
In terms of other change preferences, most women (28.2%) would like to change their job/career while most men (31.4%) would like to change where they live

Complete results of the study can be found by clicking here.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swapalease.com is the world’s largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online. More specifically Swapalease.com matches individuals who want to get out of their lease with people who are looking for short-term lease agreements. Prospective buyers can search the listings for the exact vehicle they want, and then register for a nominal fee, allowing them to use Swapalease.com’s safe online system to contact the prospective seller and close the deal.