How to be a responsible car buyer

For some, buying a new car may be done on a whim, but for most car buyers, it’s a big decision and requires careful research and consideration. START has the potential to assist with this decision by offering car buyers assurance that the vehicle they’re choosing has been manufactured using components from a sustainable supply chain.

Given the potential impact of this decision, it’s important to look at some key factors you should consider, including the sustainability implications of your choice.

Affordability

Naturally with something as fundamental as purchasing a vehicle, judging the affordability of a car goes far beyond the simple question of purchase price.

Running costs, insurance, replacement car parts, fuel costs and resale value are all factors that need to be taken into account, particularly when choosing between an electric or internal combustion engine vehicle.

Safety

This is probably the most obvious area to focus on, with car manufacturing subject to global safety standards and ratings made easily visible by ratings agencies such as the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), which is utilised globally.

Interestingly, the increasing push for global NCAP adoptions coincides with an increasingly holistic view of car safety, with emphasis on accident reduction systems and pedestrian protection in addition to driver and passenger safety.

Suitability

Two seats or four? SUV or MPV? It’s likely you’re looking to purchase a new car for a specific reason, so it’s essential to understand the features and specifications of the different models you’re considering.

For example, if you’re buying a vehicle for work purposes, your requirements, not to mention your insurance and operating costs, are likely to be very different than if you’re looking for something to make your morning commute a bit easier. Even something as seemingly straightforward as the colour of your vehicle can have an impact on factors such as resale value, so make sure you do your research.

Sustainability

This is an increasingly important factor for modern buyers, with the majority of potential buyers planning the purchase of an EV as their next car, and the majority of those being motivated by environmental concerns1. However, the issue is more complex than simply reducing emissions by choosing an electric vehicle.

Like the holistic approach to vehicle safety, there is increasing focus and understanding of sustainability as a requirement in vehicle manufacturing, as well as vehicle user-phase contribution.

By foregrounding sustainable manufacturing through the START platform and START Sustainability Label, we aim to empower future car buyers by enabling them to choose vehicles that are sustainably produced as well as sustainable to run.

Know someone who’s planning on buying a new car soon? Share this article to help them make the responsible choice.

If you’re in the automotive industry and want to learn more about how START can help your business, you can contact us here.

Read the previous blog on the evolution of the car. In the next one, we shed light on what you need to know about switching to an electric car.

References

1 Batra, G., Goel, A., Khatri, A. & Samant, M. 2022. EY Mobility Consumer Index 2022 Study. (Accessed: 29 September 2022).