European Car Ownership Report – March 2023

How Do Europeans Own Their Cars?

• 17% lease their car
• 29% own their car outright
• 54% bought their car on finance

Car Ownership by Region:

• UK: 27% own outright, 60% bought on finance, 13% lease
• Germany: 31% own outright, 54% bought on finance, 15% lease
• France: 32% own outright, 54% bought on finance, 14% lease
• Sweden: 27% own outright, 56% bought on finance, 17% lease

How Do Europeans Feel About Car Ownership?

• 50% of Europeans say owning a car is important to them
• 9% say owning a car is not important to them

What Motivates Us to Own a Car? (Top 5 Reasons)

• 14%: I need it for work
• 13%: I need it for family
• 12%: I need it for shopping
• 11%: I need it for holidays
• 6%: I need it for emergencies

Autonomous, Connected Car Ownership: Do Europeans Trust the Tech?

Would you trust a self-driving car to drive you?

• UK: 18% Yes, 82% No
• Germany: 19% Yes, 81% No
• France: 20% Yes, 80% No
• Sweden: 23% Yes, 77% No

The Future of Car Ownership

What type of car would you buy next?

• 44% Petrol/diesel
• 33% Hybrid
• 23% Electric

What Would Make You Switch to an Electric Car?

• 44%: Lower cost
• 32%: More charging points
• 24%: Longer range

Car Ownership by Region: How Important Is Car Ownership to You?

• UK: 50% say it is important, 33% say it is somewhat important, 24% say it is not important, 67% say it is very important
• Germany: 28% say it is important, 34% say it is somewhat important, 20% say it is not important
• France: 25% say it is important, 14% say it is somewhat important, 31% say it is not important
• Sweden: 33% say it is important, 17% say it is somewhat important, 35% say it is not important

Enhancing the Car Ownership Experience to Drive Sustainable Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

• Offer flexibility: Provide flexible ownership options such as subscriptions, leasing, and car sharing to meet changing consumer needs.
• Personalise experiences: Use data and technology to personalise the car ownership journey, from purchase to aftersales.
• Boost digital touch points: Invest in digital platforms and services to enhance convenience and engagement.
• Prioritise sustainability: Support the transition to electric vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Andy Palmer: Automotive industry veteran and former CEO of Aston Martin
• Vikram Singh: Mobility expert and founder of Urban Mobility Solutions

About the Research

This research was conducted by OnePoll in March 2023, surveying 4,000 adults across the UK, Germany, France, and Sweden. The survey explored attitudes towards car ownership, motivations, and the future of mobility.

© 2023 European Car Ownership Report. All rights reserved.