Even though it seems that the Internet is slowly replacing all sorts of middlemen in the auto purchasing business with more people and businesses going online to sell or buy cars, cars for sale are still mostly showcased in auto showrooms and car sales are still mostly conducted by car dealers.
In emerging markets, including Nigeria, where mobile and Internet penetration is growing, car dealers still play a significant role. Through partnerships with local auto dealers in the country, Carmudi conducted a survey in order to analyze what Nigerian motorists look for before purchasing a car and how car dealership visits are perceived by prospective buyers.
Carmudi’s survey found that 64 percent of Nigerians have bought a car in the past 1 to 2 years, while 16 percent last bought a car in the past 3 to 5 years. While all survey respondents reported that that making dealer visits are important before purchasing, all Nigerian respondents also stated that they prefer buying a car from a dealer rather than online. 84 percent of respondents reported that they made an average of one to two visits to an auto dealership before making a purchase as the case of Mr Opeyemi who after searching on carmudi.com.ng for a car of his choice visited several dealerships before buying his car from a Carmudi dealer.
The Carmudi study also found that all respondents agree that visiting auto dealerships is important before purchasing a car. All Nigerian car buyers find visiting auto dealerships as a pleasant experience as they can compare different type of cars in one visit. Aside from the ability to test-drive vehicles at dealerships, Nigerians also found car dealers to be informative sources as they can walk buyers through all the features that are offered in their car of interest.
Carmudi Nigeria also unveiled an SMS service that allows you get car tips and advice via SMS. This service is exclusive to Carmudi Nigeria and powered by MTN. To get started text CAR to 50033 from any MTN line and get daily car care tips and advice.
Amy Mouneke, Managing Director Carmudi Nigeria said that ‘Carmudi Nigeria is dedicated to becoming a one stop shop for all things automobile. The use of the online car site Carmudi Nigeria ensures customers get the best deal available in the market, the Carmudi journal gives automobile news, car tips and advice online and now we have an SMS service that gives provide tips via SMS.”
By Pita Ochai
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