Consumers Want Lenders to Bid for Their Business, Study Shows
Swapalease.com released a new study that shows a majority of customers aren’t interested in car-sharing services or autonomous driving. What they do want is lenders bidding for their business.
CINCINNATI ─ Swapalease.com released today finding of survey that questioned more than 2,500 U.S. drivers and car shoppers about the future of automotive trends. Among the study’s findings, the vast majority of car shoppers are not excited about car-sharing services or autonomous driving.
The online survey, conducted between Feb. 20 and March 15, also showed some key gender differences in how shoppers would like to see the automotive experience in the future.
Both men (66%) and women (56%) would most prefer to identify the car they like and then have dealers submit their best bids. However, women (35%) are interested in “showtailing,” where they look at cars at the dealership but then buy/lease online. Men (33%) would like to buy/lease cars online without ever stepping into the dealership.
In terms of finance options, the combined genders (66%) would prefer to see all their financing and rate options online ahead of time. Separately, though, more men (45%) than women (27%) would be interested in lenders bidding for their business ahead of time.
As for leasing, the combined genders (51%) would prefer to select the lease package that’s right for them from a menu containing various options such as mileage and upfront money. Separately, most men (51%) would like to get out of any lease with a 90-day notice, while most women (54%) would like to lease month-to-month with no extended terms.
As for vehicle features, both genders agree that rear back-up camera systems (65%) and in-car Wifi (60%) are the tech features that will most influence their shopping decision in the future. However, lane departure warning systems saw a large difference, with 52% of men indicating the that as an influential technology as opposed to just 31% of women.
Additionally, both genders are not at all interested in using a car-sharing service such as Uber (43%) as well as autonomous driving (37%).
“The automotive industry continues to evolve before our eyes, especially when it comes to the types of cars manufacturers are producing,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. “We’d like to see the industry break out of the mold more when it comes to lease packages and more flexible terms, and this survey shows car shoppers would be in favor of some creative thinking on those fronts.”
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →