GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- A newly released Gallup survey of the public's vehicle purchasing plans shows that intentions to buy a new car remain strong, with 51% of all Americans saying that the next car or truck they buy or lease will be a new, rather than a used or "pre-owned" vehicle. The results from Gallup's latest AutoPoll are similar to those found last spring, but higher than those found a year ago, when only 42% of Americans expected their next car or truck to be a new one.
Americans indicate a continued strong preference for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), with 42% indicating they would consider purchasing that type of vehicle, identical to the number who would consider a pickup truck and close to the 46% who would consider a sedan. Those planning on purchasing within the next year are even more likely (51%) to purchase an SUV than are those planning to purchase a new vehicle more than a year from now (39%). These figures suggest that the demand for SUVs will remain quite strong, at least in the short run.
Another indicator of the strength of the SUV market is the high level of repurchase intentions. Almost three out of four -- 73% -- of SUV owners say their next vehicle will also be an SUV, similar to the repurchase intent expressed by owners of pickup trucks (71%) and sedans (69%).
Although the potential market for SUVs is strong, the actual number of households currently owning SUVs is just 23%, compared to 63% of households with sedans and 40% with pickup trucks. In addition, 20% of households own sports cars, 14% minivans, and 9% full-size vans.
Brand Loyalties Favor American Vehicles
The preference for American vehicles continues to be more than
twice as high as that for Japanese vehicles and three times as high
as the preference for European vehicles. Over three-quarters of the
public -- 78% -- say they would definitely or probably consider
buying an American vehicle, compared with just 37% mentioning a
Japanese brand and 25% a European brand. This pattern has remained
constant since Gallup's first AutoPoll in January 1997, but the
numbers have fluctuated over the years. Americans' preference for
domestic brands has varied from 78% to 85%, compared with a range
of 30% to 41% preferring Japanese brands, and 19% to 26% saying
they would consider European brands.
Although about a quarter of Americans say they may consider buying European brand vehicles, just 10% currently own them, compared with 83% who own American vehicles, and 34% who own Japanese.
Survey Methods
The results reported here are based on telephone interviews with a
randomly selected national sample of 1,003 adults, 18 years and
older, conducted August 1-September 5, 1999. For results based on
the whole sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the
maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is
plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error,
question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys
can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion
polls.
When you buy or lease your next new vehicle, are you more likely to buy or lease a NEW car or truck, one not previously owned, or buy or lease a USED or pre-owned car or truck?
| New Car/ Truck | Used/ Pre-owned Car/ Truck | Neither | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | |
| 99 Aug | 51 | 41 | 6 |
| 99 Mar | 51 | 43 | 6 |
| 98 Nov | 42 | 41 | 10 |
| 98 Jul | 46 | 43 | 9 |
| 98 Apr | 47 | 41 | 10 |
| 97 Dec | 42 | 38 | 14 |
| 97 Sep | 44 | 40 | 14 |
| 97 June | 45 | 40 | 13 |
Which of the following best describes the type of vehicle you most recently purchased or leased?
| Sedan | 47% |
| Pickup truck | 18 |
| SUV | 12 |
| Sports car | 10 |
| Mini-van | 8 |
| Full-sized van | 2 |
| Station wagon | 1 |
| Compact car/small car | 1 |
| Other/don't know | 1 |
| 100% |