European Automotive Industry Report industry leaders demonstrate the power of proactive reputation management

LIVERPOOL, UK– 4^TH NOVEMBER, 2024 – Reputation, the global leader in reputation experience management, has released its European Automotive Industry Report 2024-25. Analysing a dataset of millions of consumer reviews across Europe, the report provides insight into the shifting dynamics of auto buyers, the impact of online reviews on purchasing decisions and the challenges dealerships and brands face in the era of AI-fuelled online searches.

From technological shifts to market fluctuations and regulatory changes, the automotive sector in Europe is rapidly evolving. The report also ranks European OEMs and dealerships based on their Reputation Scores, revealing how effectively they are managing their online presence to drive success in a challenging marketplace.

Key insights include:

• AI Overviews Shape Online Visibility: AI Overviews from Google are changing the way consumers interact with automotive websites to keep users on the search page longer, limiting dealership site visits. This shift emphasises the importance of dealerships maintaining a strong online review presence, as 56% of European customers consult reviews or social media for major purchases like vehicles.

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption Slows While Plug-In Hybrids Gain Traction: As of July 2024, EV sales globally grew only 6% year-over-year, while plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models saw more significant gains, reflecting consumer hesitations about fully electric options.

“As we approach the end of another transformative year for the automotive industry, it’s clear that the landscape is shifting rapidly – from technological advancements and fluctuating market dynamics to regulatory pressures,” said Joe Burton, CEO, Reputation. “This means that reputation management will be more important than ever. Whether it’s dealing with visibility challenges, the sluggish growth of the EV market or a slowing economic environment, businesses in the automotive sector must prioritise how they are perceived by consumers. Reputation management is no longer just about responding to reviews or managing social media – it’s about strategically positioning your brand to weather market changes and emerge stronger. Those who act now will be the ones who thrive.” 

European Automotive Ranking Preview: 

“The top ranked automotive brands across the UK, France and Germany all have seen success as a result of proactively managing their online reputation. They prioritise a strong online presence and ask for feedback from customers to better improve the overall customer experience,” adds Burton. “I extend a sincere congratulations to our industry leaders, true examples of best-in-class reputation performance management.” 

For more information and to view the full rankings list, download the European Automotive Reputation Report 2024-25.

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About Reputation

Reputation is the only platform that manages consumer feedback from acquisition to loyalty. Functioning as a business’ eyes and ears in the spaces where customers talk, post, review, and recommend, Reputation analyses vast amounts of public and private feedback data to uncover predictive insights for companies to act on and improve the customer experience. Backed by Marlin Equity Partners, Bessemer Ventures, and Kleiner Perkins, Reputation turns consumer feedback into fuel to grow businesses around the world. Visit reputation.com to learn more.