Survey Reveals Indian Buyers Favor Physical Dealerships Over Online Platforms for Car Purchases

NEW DELHI, Dec 23: A survey indicates that most car buyers in India still favor making their purchases through physical dealerships, although digital platforms are increasingly supporting the overall buying process.

The results from a global study conducted by Urban Science, which surveyed over 9,000 individuals across the US, Germany, UK, China, India, and Mexico, show that a significant number of Indian consumers continue to prefer in-person vehicle purchases at traditional dealerships. Trust and relationship-building are crucial factors.

The survey reveals that nearly 90% of car buyers in India prefer visiting a physical dealership, underscoring the essential role that in-person interactions play in their purchasing behavior.

This research suggests that India serves as an effective model for merging the growing digital demand with a long-established car-buying culture grounded in trust.

For buyers in India, traditional methods are not merely sentimental—they represent a reliable strategy for making significant financial decisions.

The car-buying process often involves family, personal connections, and an experiential component that cannot be entirely replicated by digital platforms.

Dealerships create an environment where trust is established, deals are tailored, relationships are cultivated, and after-sales support is provided, solidifying their essential role in the car-buying experience.

While digital platforms are set to enhance the buying journey, the human touch remains central to the automobile purchase process in India.

By expanding their physical presence, automakers are responding to the enduring preference for trust, tangible experiences, and personal engagement that continue to shape the market.

Although traditional dealerships currently hold sway over India’s automotive scene, the digital shift is gradually gaining traction, according to the survey findings.

Younger, tech-savvy consumers are now more likely to explore options online before visiting a showroom.

This trend points toward a future in which dealerships and digital platforms will coalesce, fostering a hybrid model that harnesses the advantages of both approaches.

Finding the right balance will be crucial to fulfilling changing consumer expectations while maintaining the trust and personalized service that traditional dealerships uniquely offer.

(PTI)