Top automotive market research companies in 2025: An industry expert’s guide

The automotive industry is experiencing one of its most transformative periods, probably since the first car hit the streets.

From the surge in electric vehicles, to the long awaited self-driving ones, and the evolving consumer expectations around mobility, automotive businesses need to know exactly what the market wants to stay competitive, or they’ll lose the race. They need deep, actionable insights backed by solid research. And they need it now.

At Attest we see firsthand how quality research can make the difference between a successful product launch and a costly misstep.

Whether you’re an established automaker pivoting toward electrification or a dealership adapting to changing consumer behaviors, choosing the right research partner helps you get into gear for the challenges ahead. We’ve listed some of the best players in automotive industry market research to find the one that aligns with your needs.

TL;DR: Leading automotive industry research partners

Company name	Automotive market research services
Attest	Consumer insights, market research, custom research, creative testing, concept testing, multi-market research, new product development
Drive Research	Customer satisfaction, brand perception studies, mystery shopping, data analytics
Escalent	EV adoption studies, mobility innovation, consumer research, trend analysis
JATO	Global automotive data, pricing analysis, vehicle specifications, competitor analysis
SIS International	Competitive intelligence, market entry strategies, consumer behavior analysis
ESR Research	Product development research, market trend analysis, consumer behavior studies
Swift Research	Car clinics, consumer feedback, product evaluation studies
Savanta	Brand health tracking, segmentation, customer satisfaction research
Kadence International	Brand tracking, go-to-market strategies, consumer behavior analysis
Adience	B2B market segmentation, customer journey, market opportunity assessments

10 Automotive market research companies reviewed

To help you make the best decision, here’s a detailed look at the leading automotive market research companies that can support your business.

1. Attest

Attest is a standout in the automotive industry market research landscape, offering the best tools to get real-time consumer insights in-house.

Automotive businesses can benefit from Attest’s easy-to-use platform that allows for in-depth market research and insights on consumer preferences, brand loyalty and emerging trends in the automotive industry like electric vehicles and autonomous technology.

Attest also provides in-depth research on new product development and concept testing, ensuring companies make data-driven decisions when bringing new products to market.

Services:

• Real-time consumer insights and market insights
• Custom research solutions tailored to automotive needs
• Predictive analytics and trend forecasting
• Creative testing and concept testing for product innovation
• Multi-market research and competitor analysis

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers seeking in-depth customer satisfaction insights
• Companies focused on product innovation and understanding market trends
• Businesses aiming to launch new products or improve customer experience

Founded: 2015

2. Drive Research

Drive Research (what’s in a name) specializes in delivering data-driven insights tailored to businesses in the automotive industry. From customer satisfaction surveys to mystery shopping and brand perception studies, Drive Research is ideal for companies looking to gain a better understanding of their customers and enhance brand loyalty.

Their expertise in data analytics helps automotive companies fine-tune their marketing strategies and customer experience.

Services:

• Customer satisfaction surveys for dealerships and manufacturers
• Brand perception studies to monitor consumer opinion
• Mystery shopping to assess customer experiences at dealerships
• Focus groups and data analytics for in-depth consumer feedback

Best for:

• Car dealerships and small automotive businesses seeking to improve customer experiences
• Companies looking to enhance brand perception and loyalty

Founded: 2016

3. Escalent (Automotive and Mobility)

Escalent is recognized for its market research work in the automotive industry and mobility sectors, particularly in EV adoption studies and mobility innovation research.

Escalent’s industry-leading market research helps automotive companies stay ahead of market trends and develop products that cater to modern consumer behavior. They offer customized solutions that can drive innovation, whether through trend analysis or in-depth studies on emerging mobility solutions.

Services:

• Consumer behavior research to track mobility trends and preferences
• Research on mobility innovation and emerging technologies
• Insights on the market for electric vehicles
• Trend analysis for automotive market forecasting

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers exploring the potential of electric vehicles
• Companies focused on leading the way in mobility innovation

Founded: 1975

4. JATO

JATO is a global leader in providing real-time automotive data and market insights, including pricing analysis, vehicle specifications, and market competition analysis.

With a strong international presence, JATO’s data-driven solutions enable automotive manufacturers to make strategic decisions regarding pricing strategies, vehicle performance, and competitor analysis. Their data helps companies optimize both local and global automotive strategies.

Services:

• Real-time automotive data on vehicle pricing and specifications
• Market competition analysis to stay ahead of competitors
• Detailed reports on automotive trends and vehicle performance

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers needing precise data on global vehicle trends
• Companies requiring detailed pricing strategies and competitor analysis

Founded: 1984

5. SIS International Research

SIS International Research is a global leader in providing detailed market research for the automotive industry. Specializing in consumer behavior analysis, competitive intelligence, and market entry strategies, SIS offers both quantitative and qualitative research to help automotive businesses understand market dynamics and consumer preferences.

Their services help manufacturers and other automotive companies enter new markets and gain deep insights into customer behavior.

Services:

• Consumer behavior analysis to uncover trends and preferences
• Competitive intelligence for staying ahead of the competition
• Market entry strategies for businesses expanding into new regions
• Custom research solutions tailored to automotive needs

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers looking to expand globally
• Companies needing data-driven insights into consumer behavior and competitive landscapes

Founded: 1984

6. ESR Research

ESR Research focuses exclusively on automotive market research, delivering customized methodologies that cover everything from consumer behavior studies to market trend analysis.

The company is particularly strong in supporting product development research, helping automotive brands fine-tune their innovations and better understand how new technologies, like electric vehicles (EVs), are shaping the market.

Services:

• Consumer behavior studies for deeper insights into automotive buyer preferences
• Market trend analysis to stay ahead of industry changes and technology adoption
• Product development research to refine and enhance offerings

Best for:

• Automotive companies looking to innovate with product testing
• Businesses seeking insights into the rapidly evolving EV and autonomous driving sectors

Number of Employees: 11-50
Founded: 1989 (formerly known as Estudio Silvia Roca)

7. Swift Research

Not Suzuki, not Taylor, but still Swift. Based in the UK, Swift Research has over 20 years of experience in automotive market research. Known for their expertise in running car clinics and gathering consumer feedback, they help automotive companies understand how their products perform in real-world scenarios.

Swift’s product evaluation studies provide valuable feedback that can guide manufacturers through product modifications or new developments.

Services:

• Car clinics to test and refine new vehicle concepts
• Product evaluation studies for understanding vehicle performance in the market
• Consumer feedback for improving in-car experiences

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers in need of in-depth car clinics and testing
• Companies looking to enhance vehicle performance through consumer feedback

Founded: 1985

8. Savanta

Savanta provides comprehensive market research services for the automotive sector, focusing on brand performance, customer satisfaction, and market segmentation.

By helping automotive businesses track their brand’s health and customer perceptions, Savanta enables companies to make data-driven decisions that enhance both customer loyalty and product performance in a highly competitive marketplace.

Services:

• Brand health tracking to monitor brand perception and loyalty
• Customer satisfaction research for improving customer experiences
• Market segmentation to identify key target demographics and customer personas

Best for:

• Automotive brands looking to optimize brand strategy and customer loyalty
• Companies needing to refine their market segmentation and branding strategies

Founded: 2019

9. Kadence International

Kadence International is a solid partner for automotive businesses seeking strategic insights. The company specializes in go-to-market strategies, brand tracking, and consumer behavior analysis.

Kadence is particularly strong in helping brands looking to expand into new markets and offers data-driven market entry strategies that allow for well-informed business development.

Services:

• Go-to-market strategies to help with market expansion
• Brand tracking to monitor brand equity and performance
• Consumer behavior research for better target customer insights

Best for:

• Automotive manufacturers entering new regions and markets
• Companies seeking strategic innovation and market development insights

Founded: 1991

10. Adience

Adience focuses on B2B automotive market research, delivering highly actionable insights on the customer journey and decision-making processes within the automotive supply chain.

By specializing in B2B market segmentation and product development research, Adience helps automotive manufacturers and suppliers optimize their business strategies for both existing and potential markets.

Services:

• B2B market segmentation for better targeting and customer analysis
• Customer journey insights to improve client relations and decision-making processes
• Market opportunity assessments for strategic growth in the automotive B2B sector

Best for:

• B2B automotive companies seeking to enhance customer journey mapping
• Automotive suppliers focused on market opportunities and segmenting new customer bases

Founded: 2020

Making the right choice from your business’s perspective

Every business has different market research needs, depending on their goals, resources and timelines. In-house gives you more control over your data and deadlines, but it’s always important to consider these key factors to see which automotive market research company is the best fit:

1. Research methodology fit: Does their approach align with your decision-making process?
2. Industry expertise: How deep is their automotive-specific knowledge?
3. Geographic coverage: Can they provide insights in all your markets of interest?
4. Data integration: How easily can their insights integrate with your existing systems?
5. Innovation focus: Are they keeping pace with industry changes relevant to your business

Choose Attest for your automotive market research needs

Investing in professional automotive market research is essential for any business looking to remain competitive, or even get ahead. By partnering with Attest, you’ll gain invaluable insights into your target audience, as well as emerging market trends that can guide your product innovation and business development. Attest offers real-time data, consumer insights, and support from dedicated experts that enable you to make informed decisions based on the latest market dynamics.

FAQs about market research for the automotive industry