COVID boosted Britain’s love affair with the car

Two years on from the UK’s first lockdown, new research has revealed that a third of all drivers appreciate their car more than before the pandemic.

This boost in pro-car sentiment comes even as a total of 76% report that they are driving less for work or leisure than before the crisis hit.

Key to the popularity of car ownership is freedom and independence, which ranked far above factors such as convenience, practicality or even the desire to maintain social distance by avoiding public transport.

The status of having your own car was rated as the least important aspect of car ownership, ranking even below the benefit of greater privacy than on public transport, according to the study by Auto Express – Britain’s most read weekly motoring title.

“The key insight is that we Brits have an enduring emotional connection with our cars,” said Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor in Chief.

“For example, our research also reveals that an overwhelming 84% of people enjoy driving and that they most value the feelings of freedom and independence when they get behind the wheel, rather than just the convenience and practicality afforded by car ownership.

“Our findings are good news for a motor industry working hard to recover from disruptions to their supply chains and to the lives of their customers. It will be music to their ears to learn that a significant number of people love their cars even more today, even if they use them less.”