The results of the survey of car owners discussed in this paper suggest that although car
ownership is not very widespread in Hong Kong, once people acquire a car, they perceive it to be
a necessary part of their lifestyle. The level of necessity attached to the car, however, is less than in
the UK. The main reasons for the initial car purchase are to carry things and to save time, but
then it is used for the majority of trips for all activity purposes (irrespective of the need to carry
things). The survey could not determine whether car ownership actually stimulated increased
mileage or trip making, but given the mileage driven in cars, it seems likely. Mileage also increased
with length of ownership, again reinforcing this notion.