SURVEY:
40% of Parents Buy Car Because Child is Born
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As families grow,
so does the need for a new family car. According to a recent survey
conducted by Madison Direct Marketing, a leading authority on
life stage marketing, 40% of parents today buy new cars specifically
because of the birth of a child.
The reason is simple - after children are born, parents realize
they need more out of what they drive - more space, more safety
and more child friendly-features.
These needs are helping to fuel SUVs, minivans, station and sport
wagons' growing popularity among American families. Among young
parents polled, interest in these types of automobiles appears
to double with the presence of children.
And it's not just with first-time parents that needs are changing.
Second-time parents also indicated increased needs for space,
safety and child-friendly features.
"The presence of children changes household needs across
all product categories, " says Michelle Boccuzzi, Marketing
Manager and author of Madison's recent Auto Insight Report. "These
households have acute needs, and parents are taking advantage
of innovative features and vehicles that provide added flexibility,
comfort and convenience."
Parents also appear to be focused on saving money. The Madison
survey found 65% of respondents ranked price as the key factor
in their purchase decision. And although safety ranked high on
the priority list with 43%, it fell behind other economic considerations
such as mile per gallon with 48% and reliability with 44%.
When taking everything from cost to safety into consideration,
parents said they are buying American brands to accommodate their
needs. In the survey, Chevrolet was most popular with 47% of parents
considering it for their next family car. Ford came in second
with 38% and Dodge was a close third with 36%.
"The birth of a child is a transformative moment that provides
a
significant opportunity for auto marketers," says Boccuzzi.
"All brands, particularly American ones, should focus on
reaching and retaining parents as their needs change."
Results are based on an April 2003 survey of 411 households.
(Source:
Madison
Direct Marketing)
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