Cars and Love go Hand in Hand

A new Jiffy Lube International / Harris Interactive survey revealed that 83% of Americans have experienced some sort of romantic moment in an automobile. Among the other findings was that nearly two in three (62%) Americans went on their first solo date and one in three (34%) Americans experienced their first romantic kiss in a car. At least one in three (36%) respondents also admitted to having an “intimate encounter” in an automobile; 14% of those surveyed said it was their first time.
“Pop culture often glorifies the role cars play in dating and romance, so we wanted to find out just how strong the love connection really is,” said Jiffy Lube senior vice president of marketing Anne Tawney. “Whether for privacy, atmosphere or transportation, cars indeed play an important function when it comes to romance.”
By the way, cars are also a fairly popular setting for the love-’em-and-leave-’em types. Nearly 30% of all respondents said they have broken up with someone in a car.
The survey also found that more than half (51%) of all Americans say they love their cars. Contrary to popular stereotypes, women tended to view their cars more fondly than men (56% vs. 46%).
When these respondents were asked how they either do or would express love for their cars, 63% cited regularly scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes. 22% said they would give their cars a good cleaning, the next highest response.
Jiffy Lube helped pioneer the fast oil change industry in 1979 and today serves 30 million customers each year. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Jiffy Lube International is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company.
The nationwide telephone survey of 1015 male and female adults (18+) was conducted January 9-12 by Harris Interactive, for Jiffy Lube International.