Could the pandemic actually trigger more purchasing of cars? Certainly, Carzone - the car sales website - seems to think so. In a survey of Irish buyers and their attitude to post-pandemic motoring, 55 per cent said that "owning or having access to a car is now more important to them as a result of the pandemic."
People going ahead with car purchases
According to Carzone's research, 64 per cent of car buyers say that, in spite of the pandemic, they still intend to buy a new car soon, while 36 per cent say that they're putting new car purchases on hold for now. 60 per cent of people say that their car-buying budget has either stayed the same or even increased a little, since March 2020.
More people want driving lessons
Of those who aren't currently drivers or car owners, 65 per cent now say that they want to get some driving lessons, and that figure rises to 84 per cent in the 14-24-year-old category. 48 per cent said that they were less likely to use public transport in the wake of COVID-19.
If there is the tiniest sliver of a silver lining, it's that the pandemic has at least reduced people's motoring budgets. 53 per cent said that the amount they're spending on driving has fallen, while only 30 per cent said that their mileage has increased in the last year.
Impact of COVID-19
Commenting on the responses, Karl Connolly, Audience Manager Carzone said: "This year's Motoring Report investigated the impact that COVID-19 has had on the motoring industry, on both consumers and car dealerships. The data is encouraging for car sellers, with 55 per cent of people saying that owning or having access to a car is now more important to them as a result of the pandemic. It seems we can take some positives from the past year, with an increase in non-drivers planning to learn to drive as a result of the pandemic and a reduction in running costs for many motorists."