The interstate system is comprised of I-10 as the mainline and I-19 connecting south to Nogales; SR 210 Barraza Aviation Parkway connects eastside regional areas; and larger arterial streets provide high volumes of daily traffic. This creates a need for vehicles to provide comfort and stability at high speeds while transitioning between long signalized intersections and shorter urban roads.

The primary means of transportation in Tucson, AZ, is driving, which census data confirm, showing that 69.3% of Tucson workers primarily drives alone to work with an average commute of roughly 22 to 24 minutes to their place of employment, based on Census and ACS-based local reporting. As such, when selling vehicles, emphasizing fuel efficiency, seat comfort, air conditioning performance, and low operating costs is a key marketing tool in the standard commuter listings market.

The prevailing local logic is a preference for SUVs, CUVs, trucks, and sedans, not for strictly specialized types of vehicle. Many of the factors that influence how people use their vehicles in this market justify the use of a more versatile body style across vehicle types. The available inventory also provides an opportunity to showcase how these vehicles can be marketed as an overall versatile mode of transportation through positioning techniques that include, but are not limited to, space, height, and overall functionality as more important than performance alone.

The data regarding traffic accidents in Tucson shows a demand for safety messaging. The city makes crash data available and addresses a higher risk of injury for pedestrians and others using the roadway in its community planning and public documents. Safety technologies can therefore be used as part of a sales strategy.

Established numbers for the City of Tucson’s daily used vehicle sales do not exist, so an estimation is used. By using U.S. retail used vehicle sales at a national level and estimating based on the population of the City of Tucson, the number of pre owned vehicles sold in Tucson is approximately 140 to 180 per day. This estimate supports a steady turnover rate in the City of Tucson used car market, with most vehicles being value oriented rather than high end inventory.

The ability to access services is a strength. The Tucson Auto Mall contains 18 dealerships in 1 location, and the metro chamber lists other vehicle service companies not affiliated with manufacturers. Buyers know that they have support for their vehicles whether they purchase a traditional vehicle or an electrified one, such as electric and hybrid vehicles.

The primary theme of mechanical issues is heat. Tucson weather has extreme highs in the summer, a summer monsoon season with heavy rains that lead to flooding across low lying areas, desert dust, and strong winds that blow from thunderstorm outflows. The most relevant points to vehicle sellers in these conditions include how well an air conditioning system works, the condition of the cooling system, the condition of the tires, the state of the paint and interior, and battery condition. In Tucson, rust is less common than damage caused by the sun and heat.

This area offers a really good market for people taking long distance road trips. Catalina Highway and Mount Lemmon are considered one of the best scenic drives in Southern Arizona. Tucson has easy access to Saguaro National Park, and it supports weekend getaways across Southern Arizona. That means the market is very appealing for convertibles, grand touring sedans, crossovers, trucks, and EVs that are dependable and offer range and interior space.

Although Tucson currently has EV-readiness requirements for new construction, utility-based rebates on EV chargers, and a specific type of state corridor funding from ADOT, EV readiness does not yet match other more mature coastal markets. When your customer is deciding on their next vehicle, convincing them that they will have zero friction on any long-distance trip with an EV is unrealistic, so instead, emphasize the benefits of using an EV for home charging, commuting, and the continued expansion of public charging station availability.

Tucson’s future shows a trend toward greater reliance on various transportation modes; thus, there is not a decrease in transportation pressure. The PAG long range plan and Move Tucson point to significant investment in improving corridors because of the increased number of people and freight moving through the area as the population grows. For these reasons, sellers can expect to see increasing demand for reasonably priced, practical, efficient, and comfortable vehicles.