GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Auto Industry Statistics

Auto industry marketing thrives through digital channels, influencer campaigns, and personalization.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

75% of auto buyers use online research before visiting a dealership

Statistic 2

78% of car buyers are influenced by online reviews

Statistic 3

80% of consumers use their mobile devices to compare auto prices

Statistic 4

The average automotive customer spends 5.4 hours researching online before purchasing

Statistic 5

52% of auto shoppers watch YouTube videos when researching vehicles

Statistic 6

62% of car buyers say that online photos influence their purchase decision

Statistic 7

29% of auto buyers start their research on third-party auto listing sites

Statistic 8

55% of auto consumers prefer chatbots for initial inquiries

Statistic 9

48% of auto dealership websites have integrated live chat functionalities

Statistic 10

40% of car buyers watch virtual tours or 360-degree videos of vehicles online

Statistic 11

72% of auto shoppers are influenced by online price comparisons

Statistic 12

The average number of touchpoints before an auto sale is 12

Statistic 13

43% of car buyers prefer to do their research on mobile apps over websites

Statistic 14

84% of auto buyers consider dealer reviews an important factor in their decision

Statistic 15

Around 55% of automotive consumers use augmented reality tools for virtual vehicle customization

Statistic 16

65% of Millennials and Gen Z auto buyers prefer digital-first experiences

Statistic 17

59% of consumers post-purchase look for online service booking options from their car brands

Statistic 18

50% of car buyers are influenced by virtual test drives when choosing a dealership

Statistic 19

38% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a dealership offering a seamless online-for-in-store experience

Statistic 20

The average time spent on auto dealership websites is around 8 minutes per visit

Statistic 21

72% of automotive marketers consider customer reviews as a key part of their digital strategy

Statistic 22

Video marketing boosts automotive leads by 50%

Statistic 23

Automotive content marketing leads to 3x higher engagement compared to traditional marketing

Statistic 24

Automotive video views increase by 70% during launch campaigns

Statistic 25

92% of auto marketers plan to increase their investment in video content over the next year

Statistic 26

67% of auto brands use video testimonials to boost credibility and sales

Statistic 27

45% of automakers allocate over 20% of their marketing budget to digital channels

Statistic 28

Email marketing has an average open rate of 17.8% in the automotive industry

Statistic 29

30% of auto manufacturers reported increased sales following targeted digital advertising campaigns

Statistic 30

67% of auto brands invest in influencer marketing campaigns

Statistic 31

85% of auto brands now use retargeting ads to recover potential lost leads

Statistic 32

Nearly 100% of automotive brands use some form of digital advertising

Statistic 33

Interactive ads generate 2x higher engagement than static ads in automotive marketing

Statistic 34

61% of auto brands create content specifically for social media platforms

Statistic 35

78% of auto brands have increased their budget for digital marketing in the past year

Statistic 36

The average conversion rate from online inquiry to sale in auto marketing is 8%

Statistic 37

20% of auto manufacturers use AI-driven chatbots to engage potential buyers on their websites

Statistic 38

The average online auto lead costs $85, according to industry data

Statistic 39

Automotive brands are 3x more likely to use influencer marketing than other B2C sectors

Statistic 40

The open rate for automotive email campaigns during special promotions is around 22%

Statistic 41

75% of auto brands utilize localized digital marketing tactics to target regional audiences

Statistic 42

80% of auto marketers say that integrating data analytics improves campaign effectiveness

Statistic 43

The use of chatbots in auto marketing increased by 40% year-over-year

Statistic 44

55% of auto companies plan to expand their investment in mobile advertising in 2024

Statistic 45

68% of consumers prefer brands with personalized marketing experiences

Statistic 46

70% of auto buyers would be willing to provide personal data for customized offers

Statistic 47

Email campaigns with personalized content see 50% higher open rates and 30% higher click-through rates

Statistic 48

84% of auto buyers are willing to share their data for personalized offers

Statistic 49

60% of consumers trust automotive brands with social media presence

Statistic 50

65% of auto dealerships use social media to promote new vehicles

Statistic 51

Social media-driven leads for auto dealers increased by 35% from 2022 to 2023

Statistic 52

45% of auto dealerships see a direct correlation between social media efforts and showroom visits

Statistic 53

46% of auto buyers follow their preferred brands on social media for updates and promotions

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Sources

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Key Highlights

75% of auto buyers use online research before visiting a dealership
60% of consumers trust automotive brands with social media presence
Video marketing boosts automotive leads by 50%
78% of car buyers are influenced by online reviews
45% of automakers allocate over 20% of their marketing budget to digital channels
Email marketing has an average open rate of 17.8% in the automotive industry
80% of consumers use their mobile devices to compare auto prices
The average automotive customer spends 5.4 hours researching online before purchasing
65% of auto dealerships use social media to promote new vehicles
52% of auto shoppers watch YouTube videos when researching vehicles
62% of car buyers say that online photos influence their purchase decision
Automotive content marketing leads to 3x higher engagement compared to traditional marketing
30% of auto manufacturers reported increased sales following targeted digital advertising campaigns

In today’s auto industry, where 75% of buyers hit the internet before stepping onto a dealership lot, mastering digital marketing strategies is no longer optional but essential for driving leads, building trust, and closing sales.

Consumer Behavior and Purchase Influences

75% of auto buyers use online research before visiting a dealership
78% of car buyers are influenced by online reviews
80% of consumers use their mobile devices to compare auto prices
The average automotive customer spends 5.4 hours researching online before purchasing
52% of auto shoppers watch YouTube videos when researching vehicles
62% of car buyers say that online photos influence their purchase decision
29% of auto buyers start their research on third-party auto listing sites
55% of auto consumers prefer chatbots for initial inquiries
48% of auto dealership websites have integrated live chat functionalities
40% of car buyers watch virtual tours or 360-degree videos of vehicles online
72% of auto shoppers are influenced by online price comparisons
The average number of touchpoints before an auto sale is 12
43% of car buyers prefer to do their research on mobile apps over websites
84% of auto buyers consider dealer reviews an important factor in their decision
Around 55% of automotive consumers use augmented reality tools for virtual vehicle customization
65% of Millennials and Gen Z auto buyers prefer digital-first experiences
59% of consumers post-purchase look for online service booking options from their car brands
50% of car buyers are influenced by virtual test drives when choosing a dealership
38% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a dealership offering a seamless online-for-in-store experience
The average time spent on auto dealership websites is around 8 minutes per visit
72% of automotive marketers consider customer reviews as a key part of their digital strategy

Consumer Behavior and Purchase Influences Interpretation

In the digital age of auto shopping, where 75% of buyers research online, 78% are swayed by reviews, and 80% compare prices on mobile devices, automakers must embrace a comprehensive virtual strategy—one that leverages augmented reality, virtual tours, live chat, and seamless online-to-in-store experiences—to turn digital impressions into driving sales, especially as Millennials and Gen Z demand nothing less than a frictionless, innovative car-buying journey.

Content and Video Marketing Effectiveness

Video marketing boosts automotive leads by 50%
Automotive content marketing leads to 3x higher engagement compared to traditional marketing
Automotive video views increase by 70% during launch campaigns
92% of auto marketers plan to increase their investment in video content over the next year
67% of auto brands use video testimonials to boost credibility and sales

Content and Video Marketing Effectiveness Interpretation

These compelling statistics clearly demonstrate that in the auto industry, revving up your marketing engine with video not only accelerates leads and engagement but also shifts the gear towards higher credibility and increased sales—making video content the ultimate road map to success.

Digital Marketing Strategies and Campaigns

45% of automakers allocate over 20% of their marketing budget to digital channels
Email marketing has an average open rate of 17.8% in the automotive industry
30% of auto manufacturers reported increased sales following targeted digital advertising campaigns
67% of auto brands invest in influencer marketing campaigns
85% of auto brands now use retargeting ads to recover potential lost leads
Nearly 100% of automotive brands use some form of digital advertising
Interactive ads generate 2x higher engagement than static ads in automotive marketing
61% of auto brands create content specifically for social media platforms
78% of auto brands have increased their budget for digital marketing in the past year
The average conversion rate from online inquiry to sale in auto marketing is 8%
20% of auto manufacturers use AI-driven chatbots to engage potential buyers on their websites
The average online auto lead costs $85, according to industry data
Automotive brands are 3x more likely to use influencer marketing than other B2C sectors
The open rate for automotive email campaigns during special promotions is around 22%
75% of auto brands utilize localized digital marketing tactics to target regional audiences
80% of auto marketers say that integrating data analytics improves campaign effectiveness
The use of chatbots in auto marketing increased by 40% year-over-year
55% of auto companies plan to expand their investment in mobile advertising in 2024

Digital Marketing Strategies and Campaigns Interpretation

Auto industry marketers are revving up their digital engines, with nearly every brand investing in online campaigns—ranging from influencer partnerships to AI chatbots—aiming to accelerate sales and engagement, as they recognize that in the race for customer attention, digital strategies are increasingly steering the wheel.

Personalization, Data Use, and Customer Experience

68% of consumers prefer brands with personalized marketing experiences
70% of auto buyers would be willing to provide personal data for customized offers
Email campaigns with personalized content see 50% higher open rates and 30% higher click-through rates
84% of auto buyers are willing to share their data for personalized offers

Personalization, Data Use, and Customer Experience Interpretation

Auto brands that prioritize personalized marketing not only unlock higher engagement and conversions but also tap into a willing pool of consumers eager to trade data for tailored driving experiences—proving that in the auto industry, one size no longer fits all.

Social Media and Engagement Platforms

60% of consumers trust automotive brands with social media presence
65% of auto dealerships use social media to promote new vehicles
Social media-driven leads for auto dealers increased by 35% from 2022 to 2023
45% of auto dealerships see a direct correlation between social media efforts and showroom visits
46% of auto buyers follow their preferred brands on social media for updates and promotions

Social Media and Engagement Platforms Interpretation

In an auto industry where trust and engagement are increasingly fueled by a well-tuned social media engine, nearly half of consumers follow brands for updates, and over a third of leads are now driven by digital drive-bys—a clear sign that auto dealerships speeding toward a social media-savvy future, or risk stalling in the rearview mirror.