Survey: 47% of Car Buyers Rely on Dealership Visits
Large numbers of Americans who recently purchased a new car or truck and responded to a Deloitte survey say visiting dealerships (47%) and consulting dealer websites (40%) are among the most useful sources for information about vehicle types, makes and models.
Other frequently cited resources include manufacturer websites (42%), online media and portals (34%) and word of mouth (31%). Less than half (46%) of respondents would be interested in purchasing a vehicle directly from a manufacturer’s website.
Deloitte’s 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study finds the great majority (82%) of U.S. car buyers prefer gasoline or gas/electric hybrid powertrains, relegating fully electric vehicles (7%) and plug-in hybrids (5%) to the single digits. More than half (52%) of those who said they would consider an electrified vehicle cite lower fuel costs as a top reason, followed by environmental concerns (38%) and driving experience (30%).
“Across markets, product quality, vehicle performance and price are the leading drivers of brand choice, while factors such as advertising, brand affiliations and easy financing remain less influential, indicating that consumers prioritize core product and value attributes,” analysts write.
