Chapter 1: Status quo
Attitudes to the car, to buying and owning
The first chapter in the new DAT Report presents the results of a survey on the overarching issues of the 2021 auto year, including the fundamental importance of the automobile for car owners in Germany.
In this context, the emotional attachment to the automobile was also surveyed for the first time. Car owners were asked to assign themselves to one of two groups: Group 1) “For me, a car is not just a means of transport. I sometimes think of it almost as a hobby or family member. I love my car and it gives me independence. I like being able to afford a car or maybe even a somewhat better car than others.” or Group 2) “For me, a car is merely a ‘means to an end’, i.e., purely a means of transportation that is supposed to get me from A to B reliably and safely. I have a car because I need it, not because I am emotionally attached to it. The relationship with my car could be characterized as similar to the relationship I have with my vacuum cleaner.”
As a new feature, Chapter 1 provides insights about how strongly people are emotionally attached to their automobiles. Coupled with the question as to whether the vehicle is indispensable for people’s daily mobility needs, this chapter provides an important basis for understanding the car market in Germany.
Martin Endlein
Head of Corporate Communications
Also included in the first chapter are the reasons for car purchases, with a distinction made between new and used car buyers, as well as an overview of the effect that COVID-19 has had on car buyers and owners in the second year of the pandemic.
The chapter is supplemented with detailed information on annual mileage, attitudes toward car subscriptions and car sharing, and, for the first time, the use of e-bikes or pedelecs. Finally, this chapter of the DAT Report provides insights from car buyers on driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
SilverDAT customers
SilverDAT customers can order a single copy free of charge by quoting their customer number.
Media representatives are requested to contact unternehmenskommunikation@dat.de to place their order.
DAT report print copy
You can order the DAT Report 2022 for a fee via the web store of the German Association of the Automotive Trade (ZDK). Automotive businesses that belong to a guild of the ZDK can purchase it there at a preferential price.
DAT Report PDF
The entire DAT Report 2022 is available for the first time as a paid PDF in German. This can be ordered and downloaded from the DAT web store.
To use the store, you must register once.
DAT Report short version
In the short version of the report, which is available free of charge, you will find a range of information and diagrams from the current DAT Report 2022.
Topics include the continued high importance of the automobile, the end consumer’s perception of electromobility, and the general conditions surrounding the complex car purchase process in 2021.
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