Despite the uncertain economic situation, every fourth company in Poland intends to buy a car this year - 3/4 of them will choose a new car. Most of the transactions are expected to take place in the first half of the year, according to the third edition of the Pole’s Wallets Under the Microscope study commissioned by Volkswagen Financial Services.
Slightly more than half (54 percent) of companies planning to buy a car this year say they will buy one car (44 percent say 2 to 5 cars). As many as 3 out of 4 companies (74%) will opt for a new car, which is comparable to last year’s survey (73%). A kind of boom should be expected in the passenger car segment - 68% of customers are preparing to purchase this type of vehicle. companies (up from 41% a year ago). A significant drop in interest will be for vans, as only 48% of customers report buying this year. companies surveyed, which is a decrease of 21 percentage points (in 2022 - 69%).
Among the 22 percent when announcing the purchase of a used car for the company, the largest number of respondents, because almost half, will reach for a 3-year-old vehicle (45%). Every fifth person will choose a 5-year-old car (18%). Interestingly, for the same amount of money to spend on a car, the surveyed companies are more likely to buy a new car with basic equipment (60%) than a used one, but better equipped (40%). For three years this difference has been decreasing in favor of used cars (a year ago - 64% against 36%; two years ago - 70% against 30%).
The traditional drive is becoming less popular
Big changes can be seen in the types of car engines preferred by companies. Interest in gasoline engines is constantly growing. His popularity increased from 22-24 percent. in the last two years to 32 percent. Currently. Diesel is gradually losing its importance (only 38% of readings, while two years ago it was 72%). On the other hand, the electric drive has experienced a surge in popularity. A year ago it was 4%. companies, and currently 18 percent of its supporters. respondents (almost the same as hybrid drive - 20%). - The results of the study “Poles’ wallets under the microscope” clearly show that corporate customers will become the vanguard of electric vehicles in Poland. They will lead to a certain critical mass of electric vehicles operating in the market, which will eventually lead to a radical shift towards emissions-free cars, predicts Dariusz Brodnicki, director of marketing and brand management at Volkswagen Financial Services.
The Pole’s Purses under the Microscope study also shows the barriers that affect or do not affect the purchase of electricians for a company. As many as 60 percent of those surveyed still indicate too few charging points for such vehicles. The same number of respondents see the reason in the excessively high price for this category of cars. Exactly half of those surveyed are waiting for progress in the development of technology, pointing to too short an electric vehicle range as a barrier.
Companies are reaching for more and more expensive models
VWFS also checked how much companies are willing to pay for a car. At the same time, there is an equalization of interest in cars of the three highest price segments. Only 2% of people are interested in the cheapest cars (up to PLN 50,000). companies (down 10 percentage points from the previous edition). Cars in the price range of 50-100 thousand rubles. PLN will choose 30 percent. (compared to 12 percent in 2022). Cars from 100 to 150 thousand. decides to buy 44 percent. respondents (57 percent a year ago). In turn, the most expensive cars, for PLN 200 thousand, intends to buy 34 percent. companies, while over the past 2 years their number has been steadily increasing by 10 p.p. less.
Where companies look for cars for themselves
In search of information about vehicles, Polish entrepreneurs mainly visit the websites of manufacturers (46% of responses) and car dealerships (44% of responses). 21% would buy a car online. examined. They are motivated to do this primarily by saving time (19%) and convenience (17%). In the group of skeptics of this form of purchase - 53 percent. of respondents indicate that with direct contact they can learn more about the vehicle and get to know its details better. VWFS also noted that only 8% of respondents reported specific concerns or insecurities about buying a car online. examined. This is all the more interesting because 54% of respondents report their readiness to purchase additional services related to the car online. examined.
Leasing increases, credit decreases
According to VWFS, the popularity of leasing with low installments and the possibility of returning the car at the end of the contract is constantly growing. In 2023, this tool was indicated by 62% as a way to finance a company car, a year ago - 61%, and two years ago - 58%. At the same time, since 2021, the percentage of companies willing to finance the purchase of a car with cash has decreased by 10 percentage points. Today it is only 18 percent. surveyed organizations. - In the approach of entrepreneurs to long-term lease, I see an analogy with how leasing with low installments was perceived many years ago when it entered the market. At that time, the idea that I pay in installments for the use of what does not belong to me was also resisted for a long time, but over time it gained many supporters. And yet, a long-term lease is only a deepening of this idea and an assumption in advance that I treat the vehicle as a company tool, use it every day and replace it with a new one after the end of the contract. That is why I believe that this financial instrument will eventually become as popular as leasing,” says Michal Dyc from Volkswagen Financial Services.
Source: Wprost
I am Jason Root. I work in the news website industry and mostly cover the automobile industry. I have also written for Daily News Hack. My work revolves around new car models, prices, and features. In addition, I often write about used cars and tips for buying them. My articles are meant to be helpful for those who are in the market for a new or used car.
