Cell Phones Impress Teens More Than Cars
The best way to impress friends if you’re a 16- to 29-year-old is to own a new car.
At least, that was the way to do it 2000. Now the way for youth to impress their peers is with their cell phone.
CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore., a company that specializes in why consumers buy the vehicles they do, found that in 2000, 35% of all 16- to 29-year-olds said a new car impressed their friends, but now 32% say a cell phone is much more impressive. The new car has fallen to only a 20% popularity rate.
If your cell phone is a new iPhone, your popularity rating skyrockets to 70% among youth.
The CNW survey means carmakers seeking the coveted youth market are now competing against non-transportation items for sales.
In its 2007 survey, CNW found cell phones the most popular possession among youth, followed by electronic games at 27%, iPods at 26%, footwear at 24% and computers at 23%, with cars at the 20% mark.
"For $600 to $700 — if you can find one — the iPhone will make the owner the envy of friends, relatives and co-workers," CNW said.
Carmakers such as youth-oriented Scion can learn a lesson. The fees to support wireless services for an iPhone can eat up an amount equal to about half a monthly payment on a small car.
"In the highly sensitive, fashion-oriented youth market, the most bang for the envy buck is usually something that can be worn, keyboarded or heard," said CNW general manager Art Spinella.
Previous
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!
What is this world coming to?
Friends see your new phone much more ofter than your new ride.
Because you can bring your new phone indoors, but not your car.
When they get tired of bumming rides from friends the phone won't be as important any more.
My thought is that cars are on the downside of popularity in general now-- what with global warming concerns and the emissions that cars produce-- I think the perception is there that cars are not as fun and functional as they used to be considered. In addition, teens of all ages can own and use a cell phones, not cars, based on age restrictions. Cell phones also have become very fun and functional for kids of all ages (for better or worse!), and have subsequently gained in popularity. Sometimes smaller really is better...
Mike,
Interesting thought from your comment. Now you have to be older to drive. Many states are now 17 to get a license. So perhaps those in the study that are 16 aren't as excited about cars since they can't drive them freely. Still...
It's utterly right that more kids and young people have more access to cell phones than to cars either due to age restrictions or lack of finances. But can a cell phone give you the same impressions as you get from a fast drive with cool wind ruddling your hair? I think it will neve go. Maybe we should just think of new models of cars the same entertaining and secure as phones?
Yeah! Cell Phones Impress Teens More Than Cars, Teens was more aware to Cell Phones, maybe because it is easy to buy rather than cars.
-seff-