“People may be sheltering in place across the country but make no mistake, they are hitting the roads for a brief escape from their homes,” said Matt Schmitz, Cars.com assistant managing editor for news. “Our research shows that people just need a break from the daily monotony, and cars are serving as a safe, personal retreat for families. We are even seeing a resurgence in an American pastime: the family Sunday drive.”
Cars.com research revealed the following three trends since the outbreak of COVID-19¹:
- The return of the family Sunday drive. Nearly 60% of parents and 45% of non-parents have resurrected the leisurely Sunday drive as an activity to get out of the house.
- Parents are hiding from their kids. Parents (53%) admitted to using their cars as an opportunity to get away from their homes and kids.
- The car is the new office. As many adjust to a work-from-home lifestyle, more than 1 in 4 Americans are using their cars as a makeshift office — particularly parents.
As digital engagement remains strong for car shopping, consumers are taking advantage of Cars.com’s new Virtual Appointment and Local Home Delivery badges on more than 1.5 million vehicles on its site. The new badges indicate that local dealers across the country are meeting shoppers where they are and ensuring safe digital car sales.