auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Luxury Sports Sedans Lose Favor in Secondary Lease Market

Swapalease.com’s Q1 latest report finds only 11.2% of lease-exchange customers favored luxury sports sedans in the first quarter, down from 17.7% in Q1 2018.

April 30, 2019
Luxury Sports Sedans Lose Favor in Secondary Lease Market

Interest in SUVs such as the Dodge Durango rose sharply at the expense of sports cars and luxury sedans in Swapalease.com’s Q1 report.

Photo courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2 min to read


CINCINNATI — New data from Swapalease.com’s survey-based Q1 lease trends report shows the decades-long domination of the lease market by sports cars and luxury sedans may be over. When asked what type of lease they would most likely get into next, only 11.2% of consumers listed luxury sports sedans, down significantly from 17.7% a year earlier, while 37.7% listed SUVs, up sharply from 29.9% a year ago.

Among the reasons cited for exiting a lease early range from “change in income” (38.3%, up from 34.8% a year ago) to “change in family size” (13%, up from 8.1%). Fifteen percent of respondents said they are driving an average of 7,500 miles a year on their vehicle lease, up from only 10.4% of people indicating this level a year earlier. This is a possible indication that more people are utilizing ride sharing and food delivery services, and driving less for work, recreation and everyday household tasks, analysts said.

The Dodge, Honda, and Volkswagen brands saw a noticeable year-over-year increase. Ford and Nissan were among those seeing a decline. Searches for Ram vehicles increased by 93%.

“I don’t think many people will be surprised to see that SUVs are becoming more popular as a lease option,” said Scot Hall, executive vice president of Swapalease.com. “However, the luxury sports sedan has been a staple of leasing for decades, and it is yet another indication that the American appetite for vehicles continues to march toward SUVs and crossovers of all sizes.”

To read the report in its entirety, click here.

More Auto Finance

Industryby StaffAugust 15, 2024

The Risk When the Customer Is Not in the Dealership

Take this series of steps to help protect your business from fraud by this method.

Read More →
F&Iby StaffAugust 13, 2024

Auto Loan Access Keeps Falling

July conditions tighter for consumers despite average loan rate decline.

Read More →
F&Iby StaffAugust 12, 2024

Dealers Wary of AI in Auto Finance

Poll shows growing aversion to technology’s accelerating part in process.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto FinanceJuly 25, 2024

Is the Death Knell Being Sounded for Dealer Financing?

There appears to be a regulatory target on auto dealer-provided loans.

Read More →
Industryby StaffJuly 24, 2024

Ferrari Calls Cryptocurrency Foray a Success

Carmaker will add the payment options in its European dealerships this month after introducing it in the U.S. last year.

Read More →
Industryby StaffJuly 16, 2024

New-Vehicle Affordability Is Up

June conditions, including best average loan rate in a year, make buying more likely.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby StaffJuly 12, 2024

Pandemic-Era Prices Affect Trade-Ins

New buyers, especially those with EV trade-ins, are feeling the brunt of depreciation as market normalizes.

Read More →
Industryby StaffJuly 1, 2024

Auto Credit Crunch Tightens

Borrowers taking on more debt, moving many into delinquent territory.

Read More →
Auto Financeby StaffJune 19, 2024

New Cars Within Easier Reach

Affordability metrics improved in May as lending costs ebbed, finances flowed more freely.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJune 13, 2024

A Good Deal

Rising auto loan delinquencies, though bad news, could be another opportunity for agents to help dealers come down from pandemic highs.

Read More →