Covid Has Made People Appreciate Their Cars More Even Though We Drive Less, Research Suggests

• To many people, a car brings freedom and independence that very little else can do, and with the Coronavirus pandemic forcing many people to use their cars less we have found a greater appreciation for them
• New research two years on from Britain’s first lockdown reveals that one-in-three drivers appreciate their car MORE than before the pandemic
• 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

Disruption from the Covid crisis changed Britain's driving habits, but motorists emerged loving their cars even more, according to research from Auto Express.

Two years on from Britain's first Covid lockdown, a third of all drivers appreciate their car more than ever, even though a majority drive less often for leisure and personal reasons today than before the pandemic.

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The research by Auto Express, Britain's most-read weekly motoring title also reveals that 25% of people are now commuting less by car and driving less for work. However, the increase in hybrid working has changed nothing for the driving habits of 71%.

But the surprising finding which will come as music to the ears of a beleaguered motor industry is that 34% of drivers appreciate their car more than they did before the pandemic.

The motor industry has been struggling due to chip shortages and supply chain issues, as the used car market has flourished in many countries, KSBY reports.

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.

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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.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor in Chief, said:

"The key insight is that we Brits have an enduring emotional connection with our cars. 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.

79-year old Mzansi granny buys new Golf GTI, she clearly has the need for speed

One person who definitely appreciates cars is a Pretoria woman who purchased a new Volkswagen Golf GTI and the ripe age of 79, Briefly News reports.

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In fact, the granny has owned no less than five GTI models, and the newest edition is the most powerful sporting a 2,0-litre turbocharged engine with 180kW and 370N.m mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The latest GTI went on sale on 1 September 2021.

We wish her many happy kilometres in her new GTI and thank her for not letting age get in the way of driving enjoyment.

Source: Briefly News