Almost Half of Chicago Auto Show Attendees Intend to Purchase a Car Within One Year

CHICAGO -- Feb. 16, 2015: Nearly 44 percent of adults attending this year's Chicago Auto Show (CAS) are planning to buy a car or truck within the next year, while almost 70 percent say that they will buy within two years, according to a survey conducted by Edmunds.com. The survey, which polled nearly 1,000 CAS attendees over the weekend, demonstrates the strong potential influence that car shows can have over car buying decisions.

"Auto shows certainly draw their share of car enthusiasts, but smart shoppers will find that these shows can really help them narrow down the vehicles that they're considering," says Edmunds.com Consumer Advice Editor Carroll Lachnit. "If you're in the market for a new car, auto shows offer an unparalleled way to get a hands-on feel for all of the cars on your list in a very short period."

Other interesting findings from Edmunds.com's CAS survey include the following:

83 percent of respondents said that their households use two or more cars in a given day, and 39 percent said they use three or more cars.

The Chicago Auto Show is a popular destination for repeat visitors. 69 percent of those polled said that they have attended the show previously, and nearly 50 percent of those return visitors said that they've previously attended the Chicago Auto Show five or more times.

An impressive proportion of Chicago Auto Show attendees are considered automotive aficionados within their circle of friends and family. 69 percent of respondents said that family and friends ask them "a lot" or "sometimes" for advice on what type of car or truck to buy.