Factors Influencing Car Buyers Purchase Decision During COVID-19 in Malaysia

Consumer behaviours are largely regulated by multiple factors from need recognition to search for products that would satisfy their requirements. The study in context to car purchase behaviour among the Malaysian consumer highlights increased car buying trends among the Malaysian consumers during the pandemic. Social distancing along with prohibiting the usage of public transport has increased difficulties of consumers thereby resulting in an increased tendency to opt for personal cars. Products features such as fuel consumption, reliability, comfort and performance that provide value and upgraded functionality plays a big role in purchase decision-making. Derived from the the product features leads to brand trust and inspired the decision to buy from the same brand. Affordable and acceptable ownership costs and the consequence purchase power plays important factors in influencing car purchase decision. Higher income people favouring more expensive cars and the subsequent high ownership costs. At the same time, social needs during the pandemic situation has prohibited individuals from close contacts and gatherings that further requires the consumers to purchase cars. COVID-19 pandemic that was known to be airborne and transmittable diseases had truly fundamental impact on purchase decision especially for car buyers. The research examine the correlation of consumer behaviour towards purchase decision specifically in Malaysian context. This research can be used as guidance to map the consumer behavior while providing future and practical insights for carmakers towards reviving car industry that being one of the hardest hit by the pandemic.