When studying digital marketing trends for automobile brands, it becomes apparent that the global shift to digital services has impacted the way consumers shop for cars. Whether it’s new model launches or details about an automobile they’re interested in purchasing, consumers want access to this information online and across devices. This global shift represents new challenges per emerging digital marketing trends for automobile brands. Online and mobile are streamlining people’s buying process across all industries and auto consumer expectations are no different. But despite cars being one of the most expensive things a person will ever buy, it’s not always an easy purchase process. Facebook IQ commissioned Accenture to survey auto consumers in nine markets to help understand their shifting needs, and uncovered three important trends impacting the industry today: digitally driven, first in lane and zero-friction experience.
Today’s auto consumers are discovering automobile brands and models online, mainly through their digital communities on social channels. In fact, when looking at the US specifically, 77% of auto consumers in the US say posts on social media would make them consider buying or leasing a new model. People often already have an idea of the top brands they’re interested in and are spending less time looking for a new vehicle: 90% of Australian auto consumers surveyed spend under three months on research. And when it comes to checkout, consumers expect a friction-free shopping experience: 62% of auto consumers in Indonesia say they would complete their entire automobile purchase online if they could.
Although these trends hold true across all the markets surveyed, there are also some geographical nuances in car buying behavior. In terms of digital habits, car shoppers in India are more likely to learn about new model launches on a mobile device than on a computer, whereas their Western European counterparts are discovering mostly on desktop, which means that shoppers in these markets may favor brands that adapt their communications to these preferred devices.
When it comes to choosing a brand, auto consumers in Brazil are especially conscious of what a brand stands for, with good corporate reputation as their second top criteria when picking a brand. For auto consumers in the UK, this is less of a priority, and good customer service is a more important factor in their choice.
As for seamless experiences, the majority* of Canadian auto consumers would like to receive some form of personalized engagement on their smartphone from their auto brand, while this type of personalization is more likely to lead their Indonesian counterparts to buy or lease from a car brand. Despite these market variations, consumers across all countries have a growing expectation for friction-free digital auto shopping experiences catered to their unique life needs.
What it means for marketers
Become a part of consumers’ digital and social neighborhoods.
Social networks and online communities are among the first places auto consumers find out about car launches and news. These always-on digital platforms are key places for brands to build familiarity by sharing relevant content.
Gain trust as a brand partner before major life milestones.
Drive brand awareness ahead of the purchase journey by continually showing consumers that you understand their life needs. Social platforms are a powerful tool for forging strong connections around topics that are important to your audience.
Provide friction-free and tailored customer experiences.
Consumers have high expectations around personalized brand experiences and they want zero friction throughout their purchase journey. Brands can help remove pain points from the shopping process by using social platforms to share useful customized communications along the entire product lifecycle.
A car is one of the most significant yet complex investments a person will make, and it’s often closely tied to milestone events in their life. The car buying journey is unlike most others and new digital technologies continue to reshape how a consumer discovers and buys a car. Today’s brands need to respond to this shift by reinventing their product launches, driving engagement on digital and creating zero-friction experiences.
To help marketers understand how to cater to today’s auto consumers, Facebook IQ commissioned Accenture to survey 1,003 auto consumers in the US ages 18 and over. Combining this data with emerging behavioral shifts and insight from Matt Prior, editor-at-large of Autocar magazine, we uncovered three important trends impacting the industry today: digitally driven, first in lane and zero-friction experience.
Auto consumers expect new car launches to happen in their digital neighborhoods
Buying a car is among the biggest purchases someone will make in their lifetime, so how do today’s consumers make this important decision and choose among the many model and brand options available? With 65% of US auto consumers surveyed believing that a car is an expression of their personality and style, companies should consider how their car launches and marketing messages align with the personal brands that their customers are trying to build.
It’s not just their own tastes that lead consumers to select certain styles of cars—people have always been influenced by their communities when buying a vehicle, with half (50%) of auto consumers saying that recommendations from friends and family are influential when deciding which new brand to buy or lease. And today’s auto consumers are increasingly turning to their digital communities to see what their peers are purchasing. The vast majority of auto consumers surveyed* learn about new model launches on a mobile device or computer. And most auto consumers are consulting their social feeds for inspiration: 77% of auto consumers say posts on social media would make them consider buying or leasing a new model.
Why should car brands care about the new digital neighborhood?
- 88% say they learn about new model launches on a mobile device or computer
- 77% say posts on social media would make them consider buying or leasing a new model
- 42% say they learn about new model launches on social media or messaging apps
- 41% of 18–34-year-old auto consumers surveyed say that Facebook platforms help them find out about new vehicle model launches
Auto consumers aren’t just being influenced by their peers’ advice. They are also responding to online brand content during the research process. Some 42% of respondents say they learn about new model launches on social media or messaging apps, with over a third* saying they learn specifically from advertisements on these platforms. Given consumers’ increasingly digital shopping habits, it’s never been more important for car brands to build their presence in consumers’ digital neighborhoods to drive brand familiarity.
Automobile Brands must be top of mind before consumers start their personal car journey
The length of in-market time is shortening for car brands: Some 72% of US auto consumers surveyed said they spend less than one month actively researching their car prior to purchase or lease. And by the time they start shopping, 73% of respondents only consider one or two brands, meaning that they are not looking at all brands available, but have a small selection already on their radar. It is therefore becoming all the more important for car brands to drive familiarity ahead of launch.
So how can car companies make sure they are in a consumers’ consideration set before they start shopping? With three out of four* auto consumers surveyed saying they bought a new vehicle due to a change in circumstances, such as a job promotion, relocation or new addition to the family, personal milestones are huge catalysts for investing in a new car. So one way to be top of mind for consumers is to engage them ahead of their major life stages and take these into consideration when developing messaging strategies.
Personalization provides a route into consumers’ consideration set
Today’s consumers are accustomed to seamless and personalized product experiences across all aspects of their lives. In an independent survey, 83% of internet users worldwide said a quick and easy checkout was the most valued part of the shopping experience. And auto consumers are no different: Four out of five* US auto consumers surveyed say that it’s important that buying a car be as easy and convenient as possible.
Why do brands need to create friction-free buying experiences?
- 80% say that it’s important that buying a car be as easy and convenient as possible
- 45% say they would complete their entire car purchase online if they could
- 40% say they’d like to book appointments directly with the dealership on their smartphone
Almost half* of those surveyed say they would complete their entire car purchase online if they could, and 40% say they’d like to book appointments directly with the dealership on their smartphone. Car brands looking to capture consumers’ long-term attention can stand out by providing the same friction-free digital experience that they expect elsewhere.
One way to do this is by providing personalized communication to help reduce the pain points common to the car buying process. A vast majority of auto consumers surveyed* say they’d like to receive personalized engagement on their smartphone from their car brand, and 45% of survey respondents feel that they would be more likely to buy or lease from a brand if it provided personalized engagements via their preferred communication method. Brands wishing to win loyalty in today’s digital landscape should consider moving toward customization that is more relevant to their consumers’ personal needs.
