20% of New Car Buyers Shifting to Lease/Rent

The purchasing trend in the Korean automobile market is rapidly shifting from 'ownership' to 'utilization'. Recent consumer survey results from Chabots Mobility clearly demonstrate this change. One out of five consumers (20.3%) planning to purchase a vehicle are choosing leasing or long-term rental, and among them, approximately 90%, specifically 89.2%, expressed high satisfaction and an intention to reuse the service, suggesting that this method is establishing itself as a robust trend, not just a temporary fad. Notably, the utilization rate of leasing and rental services was particularly prominent among actively engaged professional groups such as individual business owners (50%) and professionals (28.6%), as well as among consumers in their 50s (32.4%). By income level, the consultation experience rate was highest among high-income earners (over 10 million won per month) at 41.7%, indicating that awareness of this as a rational car utilization method is spreading even among financially comfortable consumers. The primary reason consumers prefer leasing/rental is 'alleviation of initial cost burden' (47.3%). Following this, 'convenience of vehicle management' (31.8%) and 'ease of vehicle replacement' (19.6%) were cited as important factors. This aligns with the modern consumer's desire to use new cars without the hassle of maintenance or the burden of a large upfront payment. Of course, not all consumers view leasing/rental positively. 'Burden of long-term contracts' (36.5%), 'cost-effectiveness issues' (35.1%), and 'lack of ownership' (27.7%) are still major reasons deterring use. However, when making a contract decision, 'monthly payment amount' (47.3%) is an overwhelmingly important consideration, and interest in 'contract termination conditions' (12.2%) and 'presence of additional costs' (10.1%) is also high, indicating that consumers value flexible and transparent contract terms in addition to price competitiveness. This data clearly shows that the Korean automobile market is evolving beyond simple sales, moving towards offering diverse mobility solutions tailored to consumers' lifestyles and economic situations. Leasing and long-term rentals are expected to continue expanding their influence as key trends in the automobile market.