Influences That Matter When Buying a Car

For one thing, this year marks a high point in the survey's nine year history for American made automobiles. Never before have buyers felt so positive about domestic models. The reasons for that little factoid are debatable, but the some experts think that U.S. manufacturers are finally coming up to the quality level of the Japanese and European imports. Others think that all cars are getting better, and Americans realize that there is not much difference between an import and a locally made vehicle.

For the first time in many years, gas mileage was at the top of the list as the main factor in car buying. Just over 17 percent of car buyers put fuel efficiency at the top of their criteria roster, with reliability coming in a close second with 11 percent. Other major buying influences, all right around the 10 percent mark, are quality of workmanship, the financial package, performance, and exterior styling. Stunningly, last year's data showed reliability and financial factors at the top, with mileage way down in the ten percent range.

When the data is broken down by brand preference, the survey shows that Hyundai buyers are most likely to buy that model based upon its good mileage, with about a third of all Hyundai loyalists listing fuel efficiency as the main reason they bought their cars.

While alternative fuel vehicles made just a small dent in automobile purchases this past year, the data has some very interesting things to say about the folks who plunked down cash for a hybrid, electric, or natural gas car. Chevy Volt buyers are mostly concerned with the image they project, while Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf owners said they were swayed by the low maintenance and operating costs of their new cars.

Other studies have indicated that the main reason people avoid buying an electric car has to do with the range of the vehicle. Even the Nissan Leaf's 100-mile range is not enough for some, who perceive the danger of being stranded in an electric car, with no charging station nearby.

While the data isn't clear if the better auto warranty packages manufacturers are offering has helped influence choice, one thing is clear: priorities are shifting in the American automobile market.