NASHVILLE, Tenn. -

While noticing a surge in interest for retiring Volvo, BMW models, Dataium reported a softening in its monthly Automotive Shopper Intensity (ASI) Index for September.

Analysts pegged the ASI Index drop-off at 9.87 percent compared to the previous month.

Dataium predicted the new-model retail SAAR for October would come in at 12.9 million units. The company also projected November’s new-model retail SAAR to be 12.4 million units, a 3.9-percent decrease from October.

The company indicated automotive shopping intensity declined across all segments for the second consecutive month.

Shopping intensity for the sedan segment fell 30 percent. The truck segment decreased 27 percent. The compact and SUV segments declined 18 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Analysts also pointed out that strategic shifts in vehicle production and marketing impacted shopping intensity in September.

Dataium mentioned Volvo’s retirement of its C70 and C30 models drove shopping intensity towards the C70 and the similar, more luxurious S80 models online, as shoppers researched ways to find remaining inventory.

The company noted that BMW is similarly retiring its M3 model line as the OEM focuses its efforts on the i3, and the brand experienced an increase in shopping intensity towards the 3-Series, 5-Series and 7-Series.

Analysts went on to state Volkswagen announced its Tiguan SUV had its best year-to-date sales month in September, and the VW Jetta experienced an increase in shopping intensity for the month as well, indicating that record VW sales could continue into next month.

Dataium’s latest report indicated the Honda CRV’s lasting popularity with shoppers helped it attract a fair share of shopping intensity, despite the release of the competing redesigned 2014 Ford Escape.

The company also noted the Dodge Ram 1500 experienced an increase in shopping intensity, with the upcoming arrival of fuel-efficient EcoDiesel models at dealerships driving online demand for the popular pickup.

“With the government shutdown affecting everything from manufacturer supply coming through customs to consumer confidence at the checkout counter, shoppers have started to adjust their browsing behaviors in preparation for the holidays,” Dataium president Jason Ezell said.

“Auto manufacturers are reacting to a cooling market by ramping up their marketing efforts. Manufacturers are focusing their promotions on cutting-edge technology and attractive new features in order to overcome declining shopping intensity,” Ezell continued.

Dataium provides data and research on auto shopper/buyer behavior nationally, and by specific makes, models, vehicle segments, and markets. Ezell insisted the index has proven to be very accurate in predicting future trends, consumer intent and desire, and promotional media impact on consumer behavior.

The national ASI report is available for download at www.dataium.com/library. Dataium reports and dashboards are available on a subscription basis or may be customized to access real-time in-market behavior, sales forecasting, advertising effectiveness, inventory alignment, digital marketing performance, and website design proficiency.

To request complete access to Dataium’s ASI predictive modeling tool on future consumer demand by make, model, trim level, segment, region, and market, contact Dataium at www.dataium.com/contact.

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