Approximately 30% of all new car sales in the U.S. this year have been leases. That number has been steadily rising since the recovery from the financial crisis in 2009. The reason for this increase is primarily economic. Shoppers want to keep their payments lower by only financing a portion of the purchase price, and the lease deals being offered by the auto manufacturers have been very attractive. Almost too good to pass up.
While financial reasons seem to have been the primary driver for leasing in the past, technology & safety upgrades make this option enticing regardless of the economic climate. For the same reason people upgrade their cell phones when the next version comes out, people are flocking to leasing as the solution to maximizing technology and safety benefits at a relatively low cost. The pace at which new technology is being added to new cars is faster than it has ever been.
The most important of these technologies are safety related and can significantly reduce the odds of accidents and injury. Many new cars rolling off factory lines are offering things like:
- Lane drift warnings for distracted or drowsy drivers
- Blind spot notifications for those tricky lane changes
- Automatic braking for unexpected road obstructions or traffic stoppages
- Hands free systems for communication and in-car entertainment
- Crash detection systems that alert emergency crews of accidents
- Backup cameras for safe reverse driving (soon a requirement for ALL new cars)
- Connected car devices that alert drivers of maintenance and repair issues and provide tips for more efficient driving
- Smart windshields that sense moisture and automatically turn on your wipers or have built-in projectors that display your speed and give turn-by-turn directions
Other features provide the convenience of your living room or even a spa:
- In-car wifi for mobile connectivity
- Large video screens for passenger entertainment
- Pulsing massage seats for those painful backaches
- Zoned heating and cooling, including inside the seats, for individualized passenger comfort
Most cars that are 3 years or older don’t have these features, and you can only imagine how many features and technologies will be manufactured into new cars 3 years from now. So, if you aren’t already leasing, consider trading in your car payment for a lower monthly lease and enjoy all of the technology and safety upgrades that will be readily available.
Explore your lease options for continuous upgrades. Go to Roadster.com/leases.
