MIAMI – Eighty-one percent of all car shoppers surveyed by LeaseTrader.com said they do not plan to use their government tax rebate checks to purchase a vehicle.
A one-week online survey on LeaseTrader.com that polled thousands of car shoppers revealed that the government tax rebate check will not be a big enough incentive to encourage car shoppers to actually make a vehicle purchase.
“The results of this survey give an indication of just how much the current economy has affected the average American consumer,” said Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com. “Although the government is hoping to provide incentive for people to spend money and increase economic activity, this survey shows that a good majority of Americans won’t be using the money toward a car purchase.”
A number of economic factors have slowed sales of vehicles over the past several months, including higher fuel prices, rising mortgages and foreclosures, overall inflation and a rise in credit debt.
The majority of people who shop on LeaseTrader.com are looking to assume someone else’s lease so they can avoid paying a down payment as well as a lengthy vehicle lease term. “Most people can’t project their finances over a long period of time,” added Stiberman. “They are instead choosing to shop for a 12 or 18 month lease since they can project their finances better compared to a 60-month loan, for example.”
