Car sales website Carzone.ie claims that a still-significant portion of buyers want to change their cars, in spite of the coronavirus lockdown, and that they're willing to explore new avenues to do so.
25 per cent still want to buy
According to the latest research from Carzone, 25 per cent of those who responded say that they still want to change their vehicle, in spite of the crisis. Some 64 per cent say, though, that they're going to delay changing their vehicle until later. The remaining 11 per cent have cancelled any plans to buy a car for now.
Of those who are considering buying, 46 per cent say that they're in the early phase of just looking and shopping around, 38 per cent say that they're looking for the sharpest deal and 16 per cent say that they're ready to go right now.
More engagement with digital shopping tools
Thanks to the lockdown, buyers say that they're also now much more open to using digital shopping tools than before. Some 49 per cent say that an online 'video tour' of a car would be useful, while 21 per cent say that a live online chat tool would be a help. Other useful services car buyers reference are online car finance applications (17 per cent) and a straightforward call with a dealer (13 per cent). With all of this to assist, 30 per cent of respondents say they would reserve a car now to collect it when restrictions are lifted.
As well as these changes in buyer behaviour, those selling cars are also modifying their systems to help cope with COVID-19. Carzone says that since March, an additional 2,500 'video tours' of cars have been uploaded to the site. There has also been a substantial increase in the numbers engaging with live chat services on the site, too.
Carzone is waiving some of its own charges
To help keep things rolling, Carzone has said it is taking some actions of its own. Those include not charging dealers for core advertising packages through April and May; allowing dealers to defer payments of March advertising costs for up to 30 days; giving free advertising upgrades up to June 1st; and making the Carzone dealer finance product available, free of charge, until September 1st for dealers.
Commenting on the findings, Karl Connolly, Audience Manager at Carzone said: "The Covid-19 crisis has meant consumers are changing their behaviour to adapt to this situation and car buyers have become more open to using online services as a means to research their next car. We have also observed a change in the way sellers are using the platform to advertise their cars. As well as an increase in the number of video car tours uploaded on the site, we found dealers and their potential customers are communicating more than before using our live chat functions. It's great to see that consumers are still researching cars and engaging with dealers on Carzone."