Love affair with car still strong

Survey shows rising fuel costs are unlikely to deter motorists
'Dusty': commuters on the Tube
getty
22 March 2013

There’s more good news for the motor industry this week with a survey reaffirming the British public’s love of — and dependence on — the car.

It shows that travellers are continuing to rely heavily on the car — despite the rising cost of fuel — because they find that driving often fits better into their lifestyle than public transport, which they say can be too much hassle.

In fact, the research shows that people are so wedded to the idea of having a car, they would find a way to run one even if they had low or zero income.

The results come at a good time for motor manufacturers. Earlier this month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported new car sales in Britain rose nearly eight per cent in February, compared to the same period of 2012. Sales were boosted by the highest rise in private consumer demand in three years, since the end of the scrappage scheme.

The SMMT said the rise — the 12th successive month of growth — was on a par with average growth posted in the past 12 months. The organisation said sales were being spurred on by a range of new models that were delivering ever greater fuel efficiency, practicality, refinement, technology and “predictable ownership costs, so motorists are seeing the benefit of new cars”.

It’s a picture underlined by the new research from Carloan4u.co.uk, which polled 2,000 consumers last month. It found no sign of our love affair with the car cooling. The findings showed 71 per cent used cars because they were more convenient than using public transport. Public transport was too much hassle for 41 per cent of those polled, while 36 per cent would use a car even if public transport was cheaper. One quarter opted for a car over public transport because they felt safer.

“People are willing to pay the price for their freedom to travel on their own terms,” said Carloan4u director Ryan Dignan. “The annual costs of travelling in the UK are constantly rising, whether you’re running a car or using public transport. However, for those who can drive, personal convenience and safety appear to play a huge role.”

A further 23 per cent said higher car insurance premiums would not make them convert to using public transport either, although reliance on trains, Tubes and buses in London is already higher than in other parts of the UK.

Also, the lack of parking in central London means that, going by public transport — or perhaps cycling or motorcycling — is often a no-brainer.

Ten per cent said they would rather take a taxi than use a bus or train, although in this nationwide survey, responders weren’t asked about the Boris Bike, which would also have thrown up interesting answers.

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