Is there a light at the end of this dark tunnel in the U.S. automotive market? A new study by R.L. Polk has found that a majority of Americans are planning on buying a new car within the next two years.

The online study of approximately 1,400 U.S. car owners found that about 55 percent of customers are likely to go car shopping within two years. The study also found differences by region with the highest rate at 62 percent in the Plains states and the lowest in the Great Lakes region at 51 percent. The low rate is most likely due to the area’s high rate of unemployment, which is at or above the national average, and local economy uncertainty.

The Polk study also had encouraging news for Chrysler, Ford, and GM; Half of U.S. consumers said they were very or extremely likely to buy a domestic vehicle in order to help the economy.

Consumer Reports research from earlier in the year revealed the reasons behind more than half of drivers delaying their next new car purchase, lead by the current vehicle being in good shape, new vehicles being too expensive, and concern for the economy. 

We hope the R.L. Polk portends of an industry, and national economic, turnaround.

How about you? When will you buy your next model and why then?

–Liza Barth