Here’s one travel trend most people have yet to hear about: automotive tourism.
That involves buying an auto or vehicle online and then traveling to another region — for possible sightseeing — to pick it up.
"Like other areas of the economy, the Internet continues to change the way people shop for vehicles," said Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com. He added:
"Many customers enjoy a significant cost savings because there’s no down payment and they customize the lease terms by shopping for the right lease anywhere in the country. Even with the cost of a plane ticket they come home with large savings."
How common is it?
Roughly 38 percent of all lease transactions now take place between two people not in the same region – sometimes as far away as New York and California. This is up from 31 percent just five years ago, according to LeaseTrader.
Of these transactions, 54 percent now travel to the region where the car is located and drive the vehicle back. This compares to just 12 percent five years ago.
The most common place for such transactions in the US is Daytona Beach, Florida. Dallas is second.
"We all know more people turn to the Internet each day to shop for all kinds of items. And while it’s easy to understand someone purchasing a book or a consumer electronics gadget, it’s not often that someone would think of buying or leasing a car over the Internet,” he said. Closed vehicle dealerships are also helping spur the trend, he said.
LeaseTrader.com is called the “most recognized name in car leasing.” The Miami-based company matches car shoppers with individuals looking to escape their auto lease.
By David Wilkening
