Even Lease Customers Are Downsizing
September 20, 2007

An increasing percentage of car lease consumers are downsizing into smaller vehicles, according to recent customer data analyzed by LeaseTrader.com, the Miami-based company that helps people transfer car leases.

LeaseTrader.com’s analysis shows that roughly 15 percent of its customers transferring out of their car lease do so with the intention of getting into a smaller car.

“That’s a significantly large percentage for this business,” said LeaseTrader.com CEO and founder Sergio Stiberman. “You’re talking about a noticeable shift in customer preference, which we expect to resonate with the major car companies.”

A range of factors, from the housing situation to rising gas prices, has prompted people to begin changing their automotive preference, said Stiberman. “Moderately sized vehicles like the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 Series are among today’s most preferred vehicles” according to the company’s monthly LeaseTrader.com Index.

The index tracks America’s most popular leased vehicles. Over the last four months, the Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan and the BMW 3 Series have shared the top two spots.

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