Love me, love my car
While many are pragmatic about cars, seeing them as a means to an end, the survey also showed that, for many, the love affair with the car remains passionate.

Forty-three percent of Egyptians say they cannot live without their car; 11% of United Arab Emirates (UAE) respondents say that - above anything else - their vehicle makes them feel good; and 27% of Indians and Malaysians are jealous of friends with better cars.

Ajay Bangia, Associate Director of Synovate Motoresearch in Malaysia points out that vehicles can act as strong indicators of social status and success.

"Everyone wants a shiny new car to announce to the world - but especially to their neighbours and friends - that they have arrived."

Indeed, an overall 27% of respondents agree they would love a car that turns heads with standout agreement from the UAE (61%), India (50%), China (40%) and Egypt (36%).

Synovate Director of Motoresearch covering Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Achilleas Militiadous, says that the expat-heavy city of Dubai is full of people after an eye-catching vehicle.

"Quite a few expats can afford a car that they would not be able to buy back home and of course, despite the downturn, the UAE still has more than its share of the super-wealthy who can afford very luxurious vehicles.

"But this phenomenon is not confined to those who can afford cars. Sometimes people pay more for their car than they do their accommodation."

Still, 36% of all respondents see their vehicles as something that simply gets them from one place to another, something that Englehart believes is linked to a loss of connection with car brands.

"There is a lack of emotional connection among many drivers now that has come along due to cookie cutter designs in the name of cost cutting. Long term, that loss of emotion will have a big impact on people's relationships with car brands.

"Car makers have to get the balance right. A car can still be very cool while offering practicality and a lower price. Success in the auto business comes from understanding people well enough to meet their emotional needs as well as practical ones."

About the Synovate global 'Dream versus green' cars survey
Numbers of people surveyed