Online gamers make up a large auto-owning demographic, with 73 percent of gamers' households owning two or more vehicles, according to a Ziff Davis Game Group study of automotive trends among the gaming demographic (specifically, users of its 1UP Network), writes MarketingCharts.

Among the survey highlights:

• Among the 73 percent of auto-owning gamer households, 61 percent own a four-door Sedan, 31 percent own an SUV, 17 percent own a two-door Sedan.
• The majority of gamers own American-made cars (24 percent Ford, 18 percent Chevrolet).
• However, 79 percent are planning to buy an import for their next car (41 percent Toyota, 41 percent Honda, 25 percent Nissan).
• 58 percent plan on purchasing a new vehicle within the next 12 months.
• Environmentally friendly automobiles are on the horizon for the gaming population as they plan their next car purchase: 36 percent intend to buy a hybrid.
• Gamers want vehicles that are technologically advanced, with an overwhelming 82 percent looking forward to new technologies' being featured in future vehicles.
• Gamers would consider paying extra for…
  • MP3 plug-in (72 percent)
  • GPS (61 percent)
  • Surround Sound (59 percent)
• Gamers are active information seekers and influencers, with many researching vehicles online before they buy and giving advice to other potential buyers about brands of vehicles.