GITNUXREPORT 2025

Customer Experience In The Auto Industry Statistics

Customer experience drives auto sales, loyalty, digital tools, and personalized service.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

61% of auto customers would switch brands after just one poor service experience

Statistic 2

63% of customers would switch to a competitor if they had a bad experience with a dealership’s service staff

Statistic 3

41% of auto customers would switch brands if they encountered poor after-sales service

Statistic 4

87% of automotive customers are influenced by their prior experiences when making repeat purchases

Statistic 5

86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in the auto industry

Statistic 6

78% of auto customers say their experience with a dealership influences their purchase decision

Statistic 7

65% of auto buyers prefer to complete part of their car purchase online

Statistic 8

45% of customers are willing to pay extra for an electric vehicle if their needs are better met

Statistic 9

48% of customers expect a seamless, multi-channel communication with auto dealerships

Statistic 10

55% of rental and auto service customers prefer self-service options like online booking and digital check-ins

Statistic 11

90% of auto consumers expect personalized experiences during their interactions with dealerships

Statistic 12

80% of automotive customers prefer digital communication channels for service updates

Statistic 13

58% of auto consumers are willing to share personal data if it results in a better, personalized experience

Statistic 14

85% of auto customers want transparent pricing and financing options

Statistic 15

46% of auto customers would be willing to wait longer if they received constant updates and excellent communication

Statistic 16

77% of car buyers say that the availability of online reviews influences their purchase decision

Statistic 17

66% of consumers consider digital customer service a key factor in choosing an auto dealership

Statistic 18

49% of auto service customers are interested in predictive maintenance alerts

Statistic 19

83% of customers expect dealerships to offer convenient, contactless payment options

Statistic 20

59% of car buyers prefer to research options online before visiting a dealership

Statistic 21

74% of customers say that hassle-free processes and fewer dealership visits enhance their experience

Statistic 22

69% of car buyers value quick and easy financing options as part of their overall experience

Statistic 23

58% of auto customers prefer personalized service based on their purchase history

Statistic 24

50% of customers would pay a premium for eco-friendly and sustainable auto options

Statistic 25

62% of car buyers consider online automotive content as critical in their decision-making process

Statistic 26

78% of auto service centers believe that enhancing digital customer experience can significantly increase retention rates

Statistic 27

34% of auto customers expect AI and chatbots to assist during their purchasing process

Statistic 28

64% of consumers are more comfortable sharing their data when they receive value in return like personalized offers

Statistic 29

59% of vehicle buyers want estate and insurance options integrated into their purchasing journey

Statistic 30

71% of customers say that a hassle-free online transaction boosts their loyalty to the brand

Statistic 31

44% of auto buyers report that post-sale follow-up communication influences their likelihood to return

Statistic 32

60% of auto buyers prefer digital documentation and e-forms to traditional paperwork

Statistic 33

42% of customers are more likely to trust a dealership with transparent inventory updates

Statistic 34

80% of customers expect their service appointments to be completed within a promised timeframe

Statistic 35

57% of cars are sold through digital channels, reflecting a significant shift in customer purchase behavior

Statistic 36

83% of auto customers value easy access to financing information online

Statistic 37

69% of automotive customers look for eco-friendly certifications when selecting a vehicle

Statistic 38

52% of buyers want to see vehicle history reports and transparent checks online before purchasing

Statistic 39

61% of customers prefer to manage their bookings and service scheduling through mobile apps

Statistic 40

55% of automotive customers check online reviews and ratings before visiting dealerships

Statistic 41

66% of auto consumers believe that a personalized experience increases their likelihood to stay loyal

Statistic 42

52% of auto buyers favor live chat assistance during the research process

Statistic 43

89% of auto consumers want their dealer to provide digital service history and maintenance records

Statistic 44

73% of auto buyers expect digital tools to simplify the trade-in and vehicle valuation process

Statistic 45

60% of customers report that loyalty programs influence their repeat purchase choices

Statistic 46

83% of auto customers want their purchase or service completed digitally with minimal physical interaction

Statistic 47

77% of automotive customers are more likely to buy from brands that provide transparent communication about delays and issues

Statistic 48

53% of auto consumers are more likely to buy from a dealership that offers virtual showrooms

Statistic 49

68% of car buyers use their mobile devices during the research and purchasing process

Statistic 50

72% of sales professionals rate their dealership’s digital tools as essential for customer engagement

Statistic 51

79% of car buyers would prefer to communicate via messaging apps or text instead of calls

Statistic 52

80% of auto buyers are influenced by online video content and virtual test drives

Statistic 53

44% of consumers prefer booking auto services via voice commands utilizing smart devices

Statistic 54

67% of consumers use automotive-specific comparison tools online before making a purchase

Statistic 55

51% of auto consumers prefer interaction with AI-powered virtual assistants for inquiries

Statistic 56

70% of customers who have a positive service experience are likely to recommend the dealership

Statistic 57

75% of customers report that their loyalty is directly influenced by the ease of booking and scheduling services

Statistic 58

42% of consumers have abandoned an online auto shopping process due to poor user experience

Statistic 59

65% of auto consumers are frustrated by long wait times during service visits

Statistic 60

55% of customers feel that a smooth digital onboarding process improves their overall satisfaction

Statistic 61

65% of auto consumers say that their experience is influenced by dealership staff’s friendliness and professionalism

Statistic 62

49% of users would abandon a purchase if they encountered too many form fields or complicated process during online shopping

Statistic 63

74% of customers are more loyal to brands that offer real-time support during their purchase journey

Statistic 64

78% of car owners say that their positive service experience is crucial for future purchase consideration

Statistic 65

63% of customers experience frustration due to inconsistent information across digital channels

Statistic 66

82% of automotive brands have increased investment in digital customer experience initiatives over the past year

Statistic 67

78% of auto dealerships invested more in digital marketing efforts in 2023 compared to previous years

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Key Highlights

  • 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in the auto industry
  • 78% of auto customers say their experience with a dealership influences their purchase decision
  • 65% of auto buyers prefer to complete part of their car purchase online
  • 70% of customers who have a positive service experience are likely to recommend the dealership
  • 61% of auto customers would switch brands after just one poor service experience
  • 45% of customers are willing to pay extra for an electric vehicle if their needs are better met
  • 48% of customers expect a seamless, multi-channel communication with auto dealerships
  • 55% of rental and auto service customers prefer self-service options like online booking and digital check-ins
  • 75% of customers report that their loyalty is directly influenced by the ease of booking and scheduling services
  • 90% of auto consumers expect personalized experiences during their interactions with dealerships
  • 53% of auto consumers are more likely to buy from a dealership that offers virtual showrooms
  • 68% of car buyers use their mobile devices during the research and purchasing process
  • 42% of consumers have abandoned an online auto shopping process due to poor user experience

In an industry where 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better experience, automotive brands face the urgent challenge and opportunity to revolutionize customer interactions through digital innovation and personalized service.

Brand Loyalty and Switching Behavior

  • 61% of auto customers would switch brands after just one poor service experience
  • 63% of customers would switch to a competitor if they had a bad experience with a dealership’s service staff
  • 41% of auto customers would switch brands if they encountered poor after-sales service
  • 87% of automotive customers are influenced by their prior experiences when making repeat purchases

Brand Loyalty and Switching Behavior Interpretation

These statistics underscore that in the auto industry, brand loyalty is a fragile castle built on the quality of service; even a single poor experience can drive nearly two-thirds of customers to switch, highlighting that exceptional service is the engine powering repeat business in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Customer Willingness and Preferences

  • 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in the auto industry
  • 78% of auto customers say their experience with a dealership influences their purchase decision
  • 65% of auto buyers prefer to complete part of their car purchase online
  • 45% of customers are willing to pay extra for an electric vehicle if their needs are better met
  • 48% of customers expect a seamless, multi-channel communication with auto dealerships
  • 55% of rental and auto service customers prefer self-service options like online booking and digital check-ins
  • 90% of auto consumers expect personalized experiences during their interactions with dealerships
  • 80% of automotive customers prefer digital communication channels for service updates
  • 58% of auto consumers are willing to share personal data if it results in a better, personalized experience
  • 85% of auto customers want transparent pricing and financing options
  • 46% of auto customers would be willing to wait longer if they received constant updates and excellent communication
  • 77% of car buyers say that the availability of online reviews influences their purchase decision
  • 66% of consumers consider digital customer service a key factor in choosing an auto dealership
  • 49% of auto service customers are interested in predictive maintenance alerts
  • 83% of customers expect dealerships to offer convenient, contactless payment options
  • 59% of car buyers prefer to research options online before visiting a dealership
  • 74% of customers say that hassle-free processes and fewer dealership visits enhance their experience
  • 69% of car buyers value quick and easy financing options as part of their overall experience
  • 58% of auto customers prefer personalized service based on their purchase history
  • 50% of customers would pay a premium for eco-friendly and sustainable auto options
  • 62% of car buyers consider online automotive content as critical in their decision-making process
  • 78% of auto service centers believe that enhancing digital customer experience can significantly increase retention rates
  • 34% of auto customers expect AI and chatbots to assist during their purchasing process
  • 64% of consumers are more comfortable sharing their data when they receive value in return like personalized offers
  • 59% of vehicle buyers want estate and insurance options integrated into their purchasing journey
  • 71% of customers say that a hassle-free online transaction boosts their loyalty to the brand
  • 44% of auto buyers report that post-sale follow-up communication influences their likelihood to return
  • 60% of auto buyers prefer digital documentation and e-forms to traditional paperwork
  • 42% of customers are more likely to trust a dealership with transparent inventory updates
  • 80% of customers expect their service appointments to be completed within a promised timeframe
  • 57% of cars are sold through digital channels, reflecting a significant shift in customer purchase behavior
  • 83% of auto customers value easy access to financing information online
  • 69% of automotive customers look for eco-friendly certifications when selecting a vehicle
  • 52% of buyers want to see vehicle history reports and transparent checks online before purchasing
  • 61% of customers prefer to manage their bookings and service scheduling through mobile apps
  • 55% of automotive customers check online reviews and ratings before visiting dealerships
  • 66% of auto consumers believe that a personalized experience increases their likelihood to stay loyal
  • 52% of auto buyers favor live chat assistance during the research process
  • 89% of auto consumers want their dealer to provide digital service history and maintenance records
  • 73% of auto buyers expect digital tools to simplify the trade-in and vehicle valuation process
  • 60% of customers report that loyalty programs influence their repeat purchase choices
  • 83% of auto customers want their purchase or service completed digitally with minimal physical interaction
  • 77% of automotive customers are more likely to buy from brands that provide transparent communication about delays and issues

Customer Willingness and Preferences Interpretation

In an auto industry where 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a superior experience—yet nearly half demand seamless digital, personalized, and transparent interactions—dealerships must shift gears from traditional sales tactics to high-octane, customer-centric digital innovation, or risk stalling in the race for loyalty.

Digital Engagement and Interaction Preferences

  • 53% of auto consumers are more likely to buy from a dealership that offers virtual showrooms
  • 68% of car buyers use their mobile devices during the research and purchasing process
  • 72% of sales professionals rate their dealership’s digital tools as essential for customer engagement
  • 79% of car buyers would prefer to communicate via messaging apps or text instead of calls
  • 80% of auto buyers are influenced by online video content and virtual test drives
  • 44% of consumers prefer booking auto services via voice commands utilizing smart devices
  • 67% of consumers use automotive-specific comparison tools online before making a purchase
  • 51% of auto consumers prefer interaction with AI-powered virtual assistants for inquiries

Digital Engagement and Interaction Preferences Interpretation

In an industry where traditional showroom visits are fading fast, savvy dealerships that embrace digital tools—from virtual showrooms and AI assistants to messaging and video content—are not just keeping pace but steering the future of automotive customer experience.

Service Experience and Satisfaction

  • 70% of customers who have a positive service experience are likely to recommend the dealership
  • 75% of customers report that their loyalty is directly influenced by the ease of booking and scheduling services
  • 42% of consumers have abandoned an online auto shopping process due to poor user experience
  • 65% of auto consumers are frustrated by long wait times during service visits
  • 55% of customers feel that a smooth digital onboarding process improves their overall satisfaction
  • 65% of auto consumers say that their experience is influenced by dealership staff’s friendliness and professionalism
  • 49% of users would abandon a purchase if they encountered too many form fields or complicated process during online shopping
  • 74% of customers are more loyal to brands that offer real-time support during their purchase journey
  • 78% of car owners say that their positive service experience is crucial for future purchase consideration
  • 63% of customers experience frustration due to inconsistent information across digital channels

Service Experience and Satisfaction Interpretation

In the race for customer loyalty in the auto industry, positive service experiences and seamless digital interactions are winning, while long waits, confusing online processes, and inconsistent information are fueling frustration and abandonment—proving that in car buying and servicing, the speed of satisfaction is just as critical as the quality of the vehicle.

Technological Adoption and Investment

  • 82% of automotive brands have increased investment in digital customer experience initiatives over the past year
  • 78% of auto dealerships invested more in digital marketing efforts in 2023 compared to previous years

Technological Adoption and Investment Interpretation

The auto industry’s shift toward digital investment—79% of brands and 78% of dealerships boosting their efforts—drives home the fact that in today's race for customer loyalty, those who don't modernize their digital engines risk falling into first gear.