The automotive trade is in a state of flux, challenged by each inside and exterior elements. In consequence, manufacturers and retailers have been met with unprecedented challenges when seeking to attain, and persuade, shoppers to buy a automobile within the quick time period. Moreover, these nonetheless out there for a automobile could also be met with additional obstacles associated to availability – pushing them to contemplate suspending their buying plans or opting into different choices. 

This finally raises the query of how manufacturers and retailers can attain shoppers whereas the sands proceed to shift. Listed below are 3 ways auto manufacturers can resonate with shoppers:

Manufacturers and retailers should transcend the automobile to enhance perceptions. In September 2023, United Auto Staff union members at Ford, Normal Motors, and Stellantis started their strike. Whereas that is more likely to have damaging implications associated to the affordability of recent and used automobiles, it might push shoppers away from contemplating these manufacturers; as over a 3rd (37%) point out that unhealthy publicity or unethical practices would make them keep away from a model. As shoppers take a holistic view of the manufacturers they’re contemplating, it is going to be essential for automakers to make sure that they’re addressing the problems shoppers care about – past their automobile choices.

The bulk (67%) of shoppers plan to buy a automobile inside the subsequent three years. Nonetheless, solely a 3rd of shoppers are enthusiastic about buying inside the subsequent yr. When seeking to navigate the present market and generate gross sales within the quick time period, manufacturers and retailers ought to look to deploy focused advertising and marketing efforts to achieve these most enthusiastic about buying at the moment – akin to multicultural and youthful shoppers. 

Regardless of near-historically excessive costs shoppers face in immediately’s automotive market, manufacturers and retailers should proceed to seek out methods to ascertain perceptions of worth in an effort to drive curiosity and attraction amongst these shopper segments. This will take the type of highlighting guarantee coverages, versatile financing choices, or promotions.

As the vast majority of shoppers do a level of analysis on-line, manufacturers and retailers have a possibility to leverage rising applied sciences akin to synthetic intelligence (AI), augmented actuality, and digital actuality to help shoppers of their automobile analysis. AI has the ability to increase attain amongst shoppers, offering them with on-demand entry to a wealth of knowledge in a low-pressure atmosphere. This integration might additionally present them with a extremely customized expertise, offering strategies primarily based on their funds, wants, and preferences. Whereas shoppers nonetheless name for some in-person experiences, augmented and digital actuality applied sciences could assist additional bridge the hole for shoppers in the course of the analysis course of – particularly if the precise automobile they need isn’t on the lot.

The auto trade could proceed to stumble earlier than totally recovering as damaging inside and exterior elements proceed to affect the market. It’s going to stay a problem to persuade shoppers to buy a automobile within the present atmosphere until they’re in rapid want of a automobile. When highlighting choices, manufacturers should deal with features of availability and affordability to these nonetheless listening, whereas additionally discovering methods to achieve them the place they’re by leveraging rising applied sciences. 

Transferring ahead, constructing model perceptions past the automobile shall be extra necessary, displaying measurable impacts as shoppers turn out to be more and more aware of what they purchase and who they purchase from – particularly when making bigger investments, akin to a automobile. 

Are you curious about studying extra about Mintel’s shopper knowledge on the auto trade? Attain out immediately and somebody shall be in contact!