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Influence of Branded AppsCustomers using branded apps are 73% more likely to buy from the dealership and schedule 25% more service appointments. Undecided Car BuyersOnly 1 out of 3 car buyers knows exactly what car they want, highlighting opportunities for marketers to influence decisions. Video Marketing’s InfluenceVideo marketing helps 40% of new car shoppers discover vehicles they hadn’t previously considered.

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The agency model is well positioned to provide a seamless digital purchase journey. Therefore, it will gain momentum with current and future automotive buyers wanting a better shopping experience. For instance, data collected from lead generation forms helps dealers identify a customer’s initial needs. Dealers can also instantly check the availability of the preferred car or its anticipated delivery time.

• Businesses that do well may also see a conversion rate as high as 16%.
• This figure represents a significant increase compared to the $96 million spent in fiscal year 2023.
• The industry knows that, and in 2024, they are not only selling vehicles, but also selling stories that live on.
• Only 17% of them rely completely on traditional dealerships, compared to more than 40% of the older generations.
• According to the 2024 annual report, Tesla attributed this substantial rise in expenses primarily to an increase of $57 million in marketing costs.

RACE 2050 – a vision for the European automotive industry

These shifts highlight the evolving landscape in which automakers operate, balancing the need for brand visibility with prudent financial management. In contrast, GM and Ford, operating in a highly competitive market, have historically invested heavily in marketing to maintain brand visibility and consumer engagement. A noticeable trend is the declining ratios for all automakers over the years.

• Reviews, walkthroughs, and first-impression videos will shape digital word-of-mouth.
• A well-designed advert with a compelling message will hold the viewer’s gaze and leave a lasting, positive impression.
• This stat also points to the need for unified data tracking across web and voice.
• In this blog post, we’ll explore ten industry statistics that can shape your marketing efforts, providing practical tips to integrate these insights into your strategy.

Vehicle wrap advertising is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to break through the noise of digital marketing channels. It allows businesses, both big and small, to reach a large audience in real time, 24/7. Unlike digital ads, which can be quickly swiped away or turned off, people cannot avoid vehicle wrap advertising.

As channels become more fragmented, automakers will diversify budgets across Google, Facebook, TikTok, streaming platforms, and influencer networks. With more than half of car buyers using mobile devices for research, it’s essential to have a mobile-optimized website. Bad mobile experiences can be incredibly frustrating for customers and lead to lost leads, decreased engagement, and potential revenue loss for businesses.

Campaigns that tap into social proof and community excitement will outperform generic ads. Marketers are now investing in journey mapping and real-time feedback tools. In 2025, expect increased use of customer sentiment analytics across all channels. Proactively addressing issues before they escalate will become standard. Brands that don’t prioritize CX risk irreparable churn in an increasingly competitive market.

Advancements in data insights and mobile technologies have also given dealerships new ways to target in-market auto and service shoppers by mobile IDs. Mobile targeting has generally taken the form of audience targeting, such as targeting based on device, apps, site user is visiting, and assumptive “look-alikes. Consider optimising your paid automotive marketing campaigns, mainly automotive digital ad spend, keywords and target audiences, to improve conversion.

What is a good conversion rate for the automotive sector?

Today, they spend more time online on research than they do at dealerships. Did you know that if you work in the automotive industry, you could be missing up to 48% of your data? That’s because we found in our conversion benchmark report that 48% of website visitors call car dealerships. Cars have a long shelf life so you’re unlikely to find repeat customers in this industry. So, while it’s great to have a newsletter just in case there are some potential leads, chances are it won’t have huge success. Given we serve thousands of marketers across multiple industries and countries, we collated millions of data points to find conversion rate averages by industry.

Top Automotive Marketing Statistics 2025

Whereas in Europe, the auto market was valued at US$ 14.94 billion the same year. Hopefully, this blog has taught you the importance of social proofing and organic search optimisation. Next is direct with a conversion rate of 2%, followed by referral at 1.8% and paid social at 1.7%. Automotive consumers visit an average of 4.2 websites in their purchasing process.

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They can be a well-known reviewer with an established following in your area, or even a car enthusiast who can share your brand with their niche audience, in a genuine way. Consumers have been turning to social media influencers in current years, as the trusted source for information and recommendations. Subsequently, an agency model is better equipped to make the customer journey seamless. Forms are a great way to collect details of potential customers and have your team get in touch with them. Having a lead form attached to your post or landing page means that users can directly share their information.

Automotive-related car advertising statistics search ads had the highest conversion rate of any industry in 2024, reaching 12.96%. This demonstrates how intent-based advertising remains a reliable channel for automotive marketers. Consumers searching for car-related terms are usually closer to making a decision, which is why search ads perform so well. A staggering 93% of automotive marketers claim proficiency in artificial intelligence, showcasing the sector’s rapid adoption of data-driven tools.

Traditional dealerships are evolving into digitally enhanced hubs, while mobile apps and social media continue to play a growing role in retention and referrals. At the same time, shifting loyalty patterns and rising demand for used and electric vehicles are reshaping marketing priorities. Amra and Elma understands that with increased ad spend, tighter attribution demands, and smarter technology adoption, the pressure is on marketers to perform across every touchpoint. The following 20 statistics reveal how automotive marketing is changing in real time and what strategies will define success in the coming year.

Who’s Leading the Charge?

This includes consumers who are researching specific models, making comparisons with your competitors, or browsing their financing options. Instead of risking the loss of customers (particularly the next generation of shoppers who are extremely internet-savvy), OEMs and dealerships need to look for newer ways to satisfy online buying needs. In addition, upload videos, images, or stories of happy customers receiving their cars or share posts that customers upload on your profile. Only 17% of them rely completely on traditional dealerships, compared to more than 40% of the older generations. Gen Z buyers are clearly more comfortable taking the buyer journey online than any other demographic.

In California alone, traditional franchised dealerships saw a 14% surge in battery electric vehicle (BEV) model sales earlier this year. They also spent more money than non-app users when purchasing a vehicle, 7% more according to a study commissioned by Cars.com. Staying relevant and visible through digital marketing needs a data system to back you up. As customers demand more personalisation and convenience, now’s the time to incorporate a lead management platform into your process. If customers already know about your business, they might want to check Google reviews to check if other customers have had a good experience with your car dealership. Think with Google found that 95% of vehicle buyers use digital channels as a source of information.