How Automobile Brands in India Are Driving Leads Through YouTube & Google Ads

Car buying in India has shifted gears—from dealership-driven decisions to YouTube reviews and Google search comparisons. Over 90% of car buyers now do digital research before even stepping into a showroom. This has made performance marketing a non-negotiable for automobile brands looking to drive test drives, inquiries, and bookings.

What Works on Google:

• Search Ads: Bidding on high-intent keywords like “best SUV under 15 lakhs” or “mileage comparison Tata vs Hyundai” allows brands to target buyers who are already close to a decision.

• YouTube Pre-Roll Ads: Run 6-second bumper ads or skippable in-stream formats during car review videos, DIY maintenance content, or even on entertainment channels watched by prospective car buyers.

• Local Dealer Campaigns: Geo-targeting tools allow national brands to run “book test drive” ads specific to city-wise dealerships, complete with direction maps and contact CTAs.

• Display Ads with Retargeting: For users who visit your website but drop off before booking a test drive, smart retargeting brings them back with EMI calculators, exchange offers, or limited-time discounts.

At Scale Sense, we help automobile clients build full-funnel ad strategies—from first impressions on YouTube to retargeted reminders and form fills via Google Ads. In the age of digital-first buyers, the car commercial is now on mobile, not just TV.