Swapalease.com Survey Shows Safety at the Top of Car-Shopping Consumers' Needs

CINCINNATI, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 60 percent of Swapalease.com users chose safety as the most important consideration in choosing a new car, outranking style and appearance (30%), luxury and convenience (12%), and electronic features (9%) by a handy margin. Luxury and electronics nearly tied for the second-most important feature.

"Safety has long been high on the list for prospective car buyers or lessees, and our survey shows that changing times don't always change people's priorities," said Scot Hall, EVP of Operations, of Swapaslease.com. "Thanks to today's technology, we have an ever-growing list of features that make cars safer than ever before."

Among specific safety features, survey response showed a blind-spot warning system as their favorite, giving it 32% of the vote. Close behind were hands-free calling and a back-up camera.

"It's interesting to note that people are so interested in the blind-spot warning system. It's the very latest in safety technology, and I know from personal experience that it's a wonderful feature," said Hall. "It's also currently priced at a premium, so whether consumer will put their money where their opinions are remains to be seen."

In the luxury and convenience category, heated/cooled seats were by far the most desired features. Next in order of rank were memory settings for things like seat and steering wheel placement; rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a heated steering wheel.

As for electronics, a navigation system took more than half the vote. With the majority of other technology features falling in the entertainment category, iPod/MP3 compatibility was much more important than a CD or DVD players (24% compared to 11% and 9% respectively.)

Upgraded interior trim and upgraded wheels took the top spots for style needs.

About Swapalease.com:

Swapalease.com is the only full-service online marketplace of in-process vehicle leases, matching individuals who want to get out of their lease with people who are looking for short-term lease agreements. Prospective buyers can search the listings for the exact vehicle they want, and then register for a nominal fee, allowing them to use Swapalease.com's safe online system to contact the prospective seller and close the deal.

Swapalease.com is the world's largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer of facilitating lease transfers online as evidenced by the company's patented processes.  Conceptualized in 1997 it has evolved into a leading automotive consumer online destination servicing all aspects of the automotive leasing lifecycle including education, research, pricing, acquisition and lease transfer.

The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is privately held.  For more information please call 866-SWAPNOW (866-792-7669) or visit www.swapalease.com.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Scot Hall
http://www.profnetconnect.com/scot_hall 

SOURCE Swapalease.com