This article originally appeared on AutoVision News. It has been republished with permission.

A new study from Volvo Car USA and The Harris Poll finds that Americans gravitated more toward their vehicles in 2020. Two separate surveys of over 4,000 adults determined that our cars have become a source of entertainment, escape, and solitude during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also gauged how participants felt about purchasing a new vehicle and making other major life decisions over the last year.

?As a brand with a deep-rooted legacy in safety, it was critical for us to uncover how Americans are rethinking their approach to safe behavior, both on-and-off the road,? said Jim Nichols, Senior Product and Technology Communications Manager, Volvo Car USA. ?These findings confirm that safety is more important than ever to Americans in the wake of the pandemic.?
What The Survey Uncovered

Our vehicles are more than just basic transportation, and the Volvo and Harris Poll survey reinforces that idea in flying colors. As the pandemic continues, the notion that our cars play a significant role in our lives is almost undeniable. More now than ever, our vehicles serve as ?personal bubbles? that keep us safe and sane. In the survey, 78 percent said their vehicle has ?been a lifeline? for them during this time. Another 63 percent, including most millennials (three out of four), said they regularly take a drive to relieve stress. Over 70 percent believe the...