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An empirical study on consumer automobile purchase intentions influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak

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  • Yan, Yingying
  • Zhong, Shiquan
  • Tian, Junfang
  • Jia, Ning

Abstract

The sudden onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may influence individuals' automobile purchase decisions, thus bringing great uncertainty to the automobile industry. To this end, the current study investigates individuals' behaviors regarding the purchase of automobiles, both before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. An ICLV (integrated choice and latent variable) model that integrates the socio-demographics, epidemic-related variables and psychological latent variables is applied. A survey of 960 respondents was conducted in China during the epidemic. The results suggest that there was an increase in the demand for automobiles after the COVID-19 outbreak. Firstly, demand was especially high in the groups of females, citizens, high-income earners, and people who own a driving license or who live in high epidemic risk areas. Secondly, although the severity of the epidemic for residences has a positive effect on automobile demand, travelers' perceived vulnerability is the key factor motivating purchases. Thirdly, the epidemic's negative income effects reduced the purchase propensity. Several dynamic policies are proposed to automobile consumption of the special time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan, Yingying & Zhong, Shiquan & Tian, Junfang & Jia, Ning, 2022. "An empirical study on consumer automobile purchase intentions influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:104:y:2022:i:c:s0966692322001818
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2022.103458
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    1. Wen Xu & Irina Harris & Jin Li & Peter Wells & Gordon Foxall, 2025. "Impacts of Consumers’ Heterogeneity on Decision-Making in Electric Vehicle Adoption: An Integrated Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Daniel Albalate & Xavier Fageda, 2022. ""Have Low Emission Zones slowed urban traffic recovery after Covid-19?"," IREA Working Papers 202222, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Dec 2022.
    3. Su, Chi-Wei & Wang, Dan & Mirza, Nawazish & Zhong, Yifan & Umar, Muhammad, 2023. "The impact of consumer confidence on oil prices," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    4. Nolte, Kerstin & Schaefer, Kerstin J., 2024. "Widening the gap? Evidence from Germany for changes in the attitude behaviour gap for transportation during COVID-19," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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