Santander US Finds Auto Demand on the Rise as Workers Commute More, Feel Confident in Their Own Finances
Santander US released a survey showing increased auto demand as middle-income Americans return to workplace commuting, with 42% reporting more frequent work drives. While 52% delayed vehicle purchases last year due to costs, 47% are considering buying in the coming year, up from 41% in mid-2023.
The survey reveals strong consumer confidence, with 77% of middle-income Americans feeling on track for financial prosperity - a new high. Key findings include: 74% rely on vehicles for work commuting, 44% have reliability concerns with current vehicles, and 34% plan to purchase within a year.
Despite inflation remaining the top financial concern for 77% of respondents, consumers show resilience with 48% managing higher prices better than last year. The survey also noted shifting housing perspectives, with only 29% viewing homeownership as essential for financial prosperity. Additionally, 46% of consumers have moved money to higher-interest savings accounts, up from 32% in Q2 2023.
Santander US ha pubblicato un sondaggio che mostra un aumento della domanda di auto, poiché gli americani a medio reddito tornano a pendolare per lavoro, con il 42% che riporta viaggi lavorativi più frequenti. Mentre il 52% ha ritardato gli acquisti di veicoli lo scorso anno a causa dei costi, il 47% sta considerando di acquistare nel prossimo anno, in aumento rispetto al 41% a metà del 2023.
Il sondaggio rivela una forte fiducia dei consumatori, con il 77% degli americani a medio reddito che si sente sulla buona strada per la prosperità finanziaria - un nuovo massimo. Risultati chiave includono: il 74% si affida ai veicoli per il pendolarismo lavorativo, il 44% ha preoccupazioni sulla affidabilità dei veicoli attuali e il 34% prevede di acquistare entro un anno.
Nonostante l'inflazione rimanga la principale preoccupazione finanziaria per il 77% degli intervistati, i consumatori mostrano resilienza, con il 48% che gestisce i prezzi più alti meglio rispetto all'anno scorso. Il sondaggio ha anche notato un cambiamento nelle prospettive abitative, con solo il 29% che considera la proprietà di una casa essenziale per la prosperità finanziaria. Inoltre, il 46% dei consumatori ha spostato denaro in conti di risparmio ad alto interesse, in aumento rispetto al 32% nel secondo trimestre del 2023.
Santander US publicó una encuesta que muestra un aumento en la demanda de autos, ya que los estadounidenses de ingresos medios regresan a los desplazamientos laborales, con un 42% reportando viajes de trabajo más frecuentes. Mientras que el 52% retrasó la compra de vehículos el año pasado debido a los costos, el 47% está considerando comprar en el próximo año, un aumento del 41% a mediados de 2023.
La encuesta revela una fuerte confianza del consumidor, con el 77% de los estadounidenses de ingresos medios sintiéndose en el camino hacia la prosperidad financiera, un nuevo máximo. Hallazgos clave incluyen: el 74% depende de vehículos para desplazarse al trabajo, el 44% tiene preocupaciones sobre la fiabilidad de los vehículos actuales y el 34% planea comprar en el transcurso de un año.
A pesar de que la inflación sigue siendo la principal preocupación financiera para el 77% de los encuestados, los consumidores muestran resiliencia, con el 48% manejando los precios más altos mejor que el año pasado. La encuesta también notó un cambio en las perspectivas de vivienda, con solo el 29% considerando que ser propietario de una vivienda es esencial para la prosperidad financiera. Además, el 46% de los consumidores ha trasladado dinero a cuentas de ahorro de mayor interés, un aumento del 32% en el segundo trimestre de 2023.
산탄데르 미국는 중산층 미국인들이 직장 출퇴근을 재개함에 따라 자동차 수요가 증가하고 있다는 설문 조사를 발표했으며, 42%가 더 빈번한 업무 이동을 보고했습니다. 지난해 52%는 비용 문제로 차량 구매를 미뤘지만, 47%는 내년에 구매를 고려하고 있으며, 이는 2023년 중반의 41%에서 증가한 수치입니다.
이번 조사에서는 77%의 중산층 미국인이 재정적 번영을 위해 순조롭게 나아가고 있다고 느끼고 있으며, 이는 새로운 최고치입니다. 주요 발견으로는 74%가 출퇴근을 위해 차량에 의존하고 있으며, 44%는 현재 차량에 대한 신뢰성 문제를 가지고 있고, 34%는 1년 이내에 구매할 계획이라고 응답했습니다.
77%의 응답자가 인플레이션을 주요 재정적 우려로 꼽고 있지만, 소비자들은 48%가 지난해보다 높은 가격을 더 잘 관리하고 있다는 점에서 회복력을 보여주고 있습니다. 조사에서는 주택 소유에 대한 시각도 변화하고 있으며, 단지 29%만이 주택 소유를 재정적 번영에 필수적이라고 보고했습니다. 또한, 46%의 소비자가 높은 이자율의 저축 계좌로 자금을 이동했으며, 이는 2023년 2분기 32%에서 증가한 수치입니다.
Santander US a publié une enquête montrant une augmentation de la demande automobile, alors que les Américains à revenu moyen retournent au travail, avec 42 % signalant des trajets professionnels plus fréquents. Bien que 52 % aient retardé l'achat de véhicules l'année dernière en raison des coûts, 47 % envisagent d'acheter au cours de l'année à venir, en hausse par rapport à 41 % à mi-2023.
L'enquête révèle une forte confiance des consommateurs, 77 % des Américains à revenu moyen se sentant sur la bonne voie pour une prospérité financière - un nouveau record. Résultats clés : 74 % s'appuient sur des véhicules pour se rendre au travail, 44 % ont des inquiétudes concernant la fiabilité de leurs véhicules actuels, et 34 % prévoient d'acheter dans l'année.
Bien que l'inflation reste la principale préoccupation financière pour 77 % des répondants, les consommateurs montrent de la résilience, 48 % gérant mieux les prix élevés que l'année dernière. L'enquête a également noté un changement de perspective sur le logement, avec seulement 29 % considérant la propriété comme essentielle à la prospérité financière. De plus, 46 % des consommateurs ont déplacé de l'argent vers des comptes d'épargne à taux d'intérêt plus élevé, contre 32 % au deuxième trimestre 2023.
Santander US hat eine Umfrage veröffentlicht, die einen Anstieg der Nachfrage nach Autos zeigt, da mittelständische Amerikaner wieder zur Arbeit pendeln, wobei 42% häufigere Arbeitsfahrten berichten. Während 52% im vergangenen Jahr aufgrund von Kosten den Fahrzeugkauf verzögert haben, ziehen 47% in Betracht, im kommenden Jahr zu kaufen, ein Anstieg von 41% Mitte 2023.
Die Umfrage zeigt ein starkes Verbrauchervertrauen, wobei 77% der mittelständischen Amerikaner das Gefühl haben, auf dem richtigen Weg zu finanzieller Prosperität zu sein - ein neuer Höchststand. Wichtige Ergebnisse umfassen: 74% verlassen sich auf Fahrzeuge für den Arbeitsweg, 44% haben Bedenken hinsichtlich der Zuverlässigkeit ihrer aktuellen Fahrzeuge, und 34% planen, innerhalb eines Jahres zu kaufen.
Trotz der Inflation, die für 77% der Befragten die größte finanzielle Sorge bleibt, zeigen die Verbraucher Resilienz, da 48% die höheren Preise besser bewältigen als im letzten Jahr. Die Umfrage stellte auch fest, dass sich die Perspektiven auf Wohneigentum ändern, wobei nur 29% das Eigenheim als wesentlich für finanzielle Prosperität betrachten. Zudem haben 46% der Verbraucher Geld auf hochverzinsliche Sparkonten verschoben, ein Anstieg von 32% im zweiten Quartal 2023.
- Increased auto demand with 47% considering vehicle purchase, up from 41% in mid-2023
- Record high consumer confidence at 77% feeling financially prosperous
- 78% report job security, with 76% current on bills
- Growth in high-yield savings adoption, up 14 percentage points from Q2 2023
- Strong digital banking adoption with 86% banking digitally at least half the time
- 52% delayed vehicle purchases due to cost concerns
- 77% consider inflation a major concern
- 69% of recent homebuyers struggling with costs
- 44% of auto owners concerned about vehicle reliability
- 56% anticipating recession in next 12 months, up 6 percentage points from Q4
Insights
Santander's latest consumer survey reveals several positive catalysts for its U.S. operations, particularly in auto lending where the company maintains a top-10 market position. The 47% of middle-income Americans now considering vehicle purchases (up from 41% in mid-2023) signals accelerating demand in this key business segment.
More compelling is the urgency factor - with 53% of potential buyers planning to purchase within the next three months due to pricing concerns. This creates an immediate pipeline opportunity for Santander's auto finance business. The reliability concerns among 44% of current vehicle owners further strengthens the replacement cycle thesis.
The survey's middle-income focus (
Cross-selling opportunities are evident in the 53% considering personal loans and increased interest in higher-yield savings products. The multifamily lending business should benefit from shifting housing perceptions, with 68% of multifamily residents citing greater financial flexibility - perfectly aligned with Santander's position as a top-10 multifamily lender.
The digital engagement metrics (86% banking digitally at least half the time) validate Santander's channel strategy and should drive improved efficiency ratios. These survey findings collectively enhance the growth outlook across multiple business lines while suggesting stable credit fundamentals.
This survey captures a significant inflection point in consumer sentiment with direct implications for financial services providers like Santander. The emerging transportation patterns - 42% reporting increased workplace commuting - mark a structural shift away from pandemic-era behaviors that depressed vehicle demand.
The data reveals a fascinating confidence paradox: consumers feel personally secure (78% job security, 76% current on bills) while still viewing inflation as their primary financial challenge. This cognitive dissonance explains why 77% report inflation concerns yet 48% believe they're managing it better than a year ago. Consumers have developed adaptive strategies rather than retreating financially.
The evolving housing narrative represents perhaps the most consequential finding. The dramatic decline in homeownership as a prosperity marker (only 29% view it as essential) signals a generational values shift. The stark contrast between recent homebuyers (69% making spending cuts) versus established owners (45%) demonstrates how current market conditions are reshaping fundamental financial aspirations.
Purchasing triggers have become increasingly pragmatic - reliability concerns (44%) and transportation necessity (74% relying on vehicles for work) are displacing aspiration as primary motivators. Meanwhile, digital financial management has become firmly mainstream with 69% ranking 24/7 account access as "very important."
These behavioral patterns suggest consumers are embracing flexibility and utility over traditional financial milestones - creating natural alignment with Santander's diversified lending model across auto, personal and multifamily segments.
- Pent-up auto demand ticks higher amid vehicle price uncertainty and more frequent commuting.
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77% believe they are on the right track to financial prosperity, a new survey high. - Concerns about inflation have leveled off but remain elevated.
- As home prices soar, renters see their housing situation as a more affordable alternative.
Vehicle access remains essential for middle-income Americans’ financial wellbeing, with nearly one-quarter (
The Q1 Santander US study, which builds upon previous research, looks at middle-income Americans’ current financial state and outlook for the next 12 months. It examines how economic conditions and other trends are impacting these households and the adjustments they are making in response, including their vehicle, banking and housing needs.
Consumers Remain Resilient Despite Sticky Inflation
Middle-income Americans’ optimism is buoyed by being current on their bills (
Homeownership Not Considered Essential
As home prices remain elevated, middle-income Americans are questioning the longstanding association between homeownership and financial prosperity. In fact, less than three in 10 (
The Role of Banks in Achieving Prosperity
Middle-income Americans are utilizing bank products and services—such as digital account access, personal lending products and deposit accounts that pay competitive rates—to improve their finances. Close to seven in 10 (
This research on financial prosperity, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Santander US, surveyed 2,266 Americans who are bank and/or financial services customers, ages 18-76. Survey participants are employed or looking for work, own/use at least one financial product and are the primary or shared decision-maker on household finances with household income in the “middle-income” range of
The full report and more information about the Santander US survey is available HERE.
About Santander US
Santander Holdings
Santander Bank, N.A. is a Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. © 2025 Santander Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Santander, Santander Bank, and the Flame Logo are trademarks of Banco Santander, S.A. or its subsidiaries in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402306666/en/
Media Contact:
Andrew Simonelli
andrew.simonelli@santander.us
Caroline Connolly
caroline.connolly@santander.us
Source: Santander Holdings
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