COVID-19 redirected consumer intentions in the mobility sector. The effects are different across countries. In Germany and the United States, a slight drop in car purchase intentions as of August 2020 was recorded. In China, however, the change in consumers intending to purchase a new vehicle post-COVID rather than pre-COVID went up by seven percent. It is likely that the pandemic has put some people off public transport and are attracted to the personal space of an owned vehicle. Consumers who are now less likely to buy a new car may be put off for financial reasons. During national lockdowns in 2020, vehicle purchase plummeted. Economic standstill and lay-offs kept car sales low for the year overall.
Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020
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*Germany, n=2,000; U.S. n=1,000; China, n=1,000. Responding to the question: “Taking the position of pre-COVID-19, how likely was it that your household would buy a new vehicle in 2020/2021?" and "How likely is it now?“
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PwC. (October 9, 2020). Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 06, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/
PwC. "Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020." Chart. October 9, 2020. Statista. Accessed June 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/
PwC. (2020). Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/
PwC. "Change in New Car Purchase Intent in Selected Countries Worldwide before and after Covid-19, as of August 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Oct 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/
PwC, Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/ (last visited June 06, 2025)
Change in new car purchase intent in selected countries worldwide before and after COVID-19, as of August 2020 [Graph], PwC, October 9, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105316/consumers-whose-spend-on-cars-will-change-due-to-coronavirus/
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