Taking a look at mobile trends, the 2015 Automotive Buyer Influence study from AutoTrader.com shows that 42 percent of recent car buyers used multiple devices to shop for cars last year.

Mobile usage is expanding at a rapid rate as only 24 percent of car shoppers used multiple devices in 2013.

AutoTrader explained the mobile device usage growth is being led by used-car buyers, who showed the largest increases in using smartphone and tablets for car shopping last year.

“The power and proliferation of mobile devices in the U.S. is undeniable, and consumers are rapidly turning to these devices as they shop for cars,” said Jared Rowe, president of AutoTrader.com. “The importance for all automotive advertisers to have a robust cross-platform presence cannot be underscored enough if they want to reach and influence consumers as they shop for cars.”

Smartphone usage for car buying, in particular, is on the rise. Last year, 39 percent of car shoppers reports using smartphone, compared to a mere 19 percent in 2013.

And these shoppers aren’t putting their phones down when they enter a physical in store. In fact, 65 percent of shoppers used the device while visiting a dealership.

For tablets, the numbers are slightly lower; 35 percent reported using a tablet in the 2015 study, compared to 19 percent in 2013.

And it seems these new more convenient devices are pulling shoppers away from their desktops and laptops.

In 2013, 91 percent of car buyers who used the Internet to shop for cars reported using a desktop/laptop, compared to 82 percent in the 2015 study.

“Mobile will continue to be an important element in the future of car shopping, as it enables buyers to get the information they need whenever and wherever they need it,” added Rowe. “But rather than just thinking with a mobile mindset, automotive advertisers need to ensure that they are developing specific experiences across the spectrum of devices consumers use to shop for cars so they can deliver the right information at the right time.”