Social-symbolic and affective aspects of car ownership and use

People buy and drive cars for many reasons. Instrumental factors such as cost and speed are important, but social-symbolic factors such as status and affective aspects such as driving pleasure and control also play a significant role in understanding car ownership and use. The (perceived) value of cars as symbols of personality or status influence car purchases and car use as well as social interactions. High-status cars (expensive, luxury and technologically advanced) can affect a driver’s attractiveness as well as levels of aggressive driving both by the car owner and others. Through car use, experience and symbolic factors people can become strongly attached to their cars, which affects response to travel demand management strategies