New national report shows people are seeking trusted guidance, clear communication and low-pressure experiences as everyday choices become more complex

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), the quick, easy, trusted leader in preventive automotive maintenance, today released its inaugural State of American Decision Making Report, a new national report examining how Americans navigate everyday choices amid rising costs, busy schedules, and an increasingly complex information environment.

The report reveals a striking contradiction: while nearly two-thirds of Americans (64.4%) describe themselves as very confident decision-makers, four in 10 (40.3%) say they often or always feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions they face in a typical week, and 31.4% say they often or always second-guess themselves after making a decision.

From managing household budgets to maintaining a vehicle, the findings point to a broader consumer mindset: Americans are looking for choices that feel clear, trustworthy and worth it, especially when the stakes feel higher.

"This report underscores something we see every day: people want everyday decisions to feel easier, clearer and more worthwhile," said Laura Carpenter, Chief Customer Officer, Valvoline Inc. "Convenience is often what helps customers take action and trust is what helps them feel good about the decision they made. When customers understand what they need, know what to expect and feel they can trust the person helping them, the experience becomes easier and far less stressful. That is especially true in vehicle maintenance, where quick, easy service and trusted guidance work together to give customers confidence."

Among the report’s key findings:

• Americans feel confident, but many still feel overwhelmed: Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64.4%) say they feel very confident in their ability to make smart everyday decisions, yet 40.3% say they often or always feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions they face in a typical week.
• Trust reinforces the value of convenient vehicle maintenance: When choosing where to maintain their vehicle, convenience is often a common benefit, but 35% of Americans also prioritize the option they trust most, along with 17.4% who prioritize the lowest price and 12.6% who prioritize the fastest option.
• Consumers want low-pressure, transparent service: When making a wise choice for auto services, consumers do not want to be pressured (49.9%), and also value transparent pricing (47.8%) and things explained plainly (42.3%).
• Rising costs are making Americans more deliberate: Nearly half of Americans (47.1%) say they compare more options before choosing when costs go up, while 30.4% say they prioritize value over price alone.
• Relief is a powerful measure of a good decision: More than half of Americans (56.9%) say they feel relieved after making a decision they are happy with, and 47.4% say they feel relieved after getting their vehicle serviced.

The report shows Americans increasingly define a good decision as one that reduces stress, avoids regret and helps them move on with confidence.

The findings suggest that in an environment defined by more information, more options and more pressure, Americans are looking for convenience and also for choices that feel informed, trustworthy and sensible — and for brands that can make those choices easier.

The findings also align with Valvoline Instant Oil Change’s recent “The Ride Wrangler” campaign, which encourages drivers to “change wisely” by choosing service they can trust.

The full State of American Decision-Making Report is available at https://www.vioc.com/newsroom/state-of-american-decision-making/.

About Valvoline Inc.

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) delivers quick, easy, trusted service at more than 2,400 franchised and company-operated service centers across the United States and Canada. The Company completes more than 30 million services annually system-wide, from about 15-minute stay-in-your-car oil changes to a variety of manufacturer-recommended maintenance services such as wiper replacements and tire rotations. At Valvoline Inc., it all starts with our people, including the 13,000 team members who are working to drive the full potential of our core business, deliver sustainable network growth, and innovate to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the car parc. For more information, visit vioc.com.

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