Dogs Drive Car Buying Decisions

North Americans' insatiable appetite to shower their beloved pets with accessories at home is now transitioning into the automobile. LeaseTrader.com, the nation’s most popular online car lease swap marketplace, reports a 67 percent increase in the number of customers who shop for a vehicle with pet needs in mind – an increase from 24 percent three years earlier.

But pet lovers today need to satisfy their desire for pet friendly features along with economic realities. Increasingly, LeaseTrader.com customers are trading large SUV leases in favor of smaller, more budget- conscious vehicles still considered pet-friendly. Since the beginning of 2008, LeaseTrader.com has seen this trend double and expects to see continued growth in this area.

“Hatchbacks and station wagons are filling the needs of pet owners looking for a little extra sportiness and space to fit the family pet,” says Gina Spadafori, Executive Editor of petconnection.com and dogcars.com. “The ability of the car industry to identify the needs of this growing subculture shows a new-found commitment to innovation and customer demand.”