Buyers Prefer Physical Dealerships Over Online Mediums To Purchase

New Delhi: Majority of car buyers in India still prefer making their purchase decisions through physical dealerships, with digital platforms increasingly complementing the overall acquisition process, according to a survey.

The findings of a global study conducted by Urban Science involving over 9,000 people across the US, Germany, UK, China, India, and Mexico, revealed that most Indian buyers still predominantly prefer purchasing vehicles through a traditional dealership in person, with trust and relationship-building playing pivotal roles.

According to the survey, nearly 9 out of 10 car buyers in India are more inclined to visit a physical dealership, highlighting the critical importance of in-person visits in shaping their overall buying behaviour, it stated.

The survey highlighted that India provides a compelling blueprint for balancing the rising digital demand with a deeply rooted, trust- driven car-buying culture. For Indian car buyers, tradition is not merely nostalgic— it’s a trusted approach to making a major financial decision, it noted. Purchasing a car often involves family, personal relationships, and a hands- on experience that digital platforms cannot fully replicate, it added. Dealerships offer a space where trust is cultivated, deals are personalised, relationships are nurtured, and after-sales support all come to life, making them an indispensable part of the car-buying process, as per the survey.

While digital platforms are poised to play a complimentary role, the human element remains the heart of India’s car-buying experience, it stated. By expanding their physical networks, automakers are aligning with this enduring preference for trust, tangibility and personal interaction,which continues to define the market, it added.