Fifty-nine percent of customers in Canada have considered purchasing a make and model of car they drove as a rental. Chart via Enterprise Holdings.

Fifty-nine percent of customers in Canada have considered purchasing a make and model of car they drove as a rental. Chart via Enterprise Holdings.

Nearly 59% of Enterprise customers in Canada have considered purchasing a certain make or model after driving it as a rental car, according to Enterprise Holdings’ Canadian Automotive Survey. This number increases to 72% for customers aged 25-34.

The survey provided insight into customer behavior in the Canadian rental car market, according to Enterprise. Leger conducted the survey with 1,501 Canadian Enterprise Holdings customers online between Jan 30 and March 3, 2015.

Additionally, it showed a correlation between positive car rental experience and future vehicle purchase. Overall, 69% of customers reported that a positive experience renting a certain car changed their perception of that specific car make or model.

Surveyors acknowledged there are benefits to renting a car prior to purchasing one; it’s an opportunity to learn something new about the vehicle, according to Enterprise.

“Car rental is one of the best ways to introduce consumers — and prospective buyers — to different manufacturers and new car models,” said Paul Belfer, vice president of Canadian fleet acquisition for Enterprise Holdings. “Our manufacturing partners have long found our fleet as a great testing ground for new technology. Now, this survey shows Canadians view our vehicles in the same way, as an opportunity to drive a new make and model that may influence a future purchasing decision.”

Here are some other noteworthy findings from the survey:

  • Nearly half of Canadians rent cars mostly for personal use rather than business use (47% to 37%).
  • 42% of Canadian Enterprise customers experience new automobile technology in rental cars.
  • Canadian rental car customers are more likely to choose a compact car than American rental customers (16% to 10%).
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