The automotive industry is rife with problems. From aggressive sales tactics to the overall cost of operation, there are many issues the industry must solve.
One by one, they’re going down the list of common complaints to find viable solutions for each one. The major auto giants have listened to consumer feedback and have come up with ways to solve their biggest complaints.
Here are some automotive industry trends that are rolling out the solutions to some of the industry’s most significant issues.
Automotive Industry Trends
Technology is king. Consumers expect their vehicles to be as smart as their phones. The future of automotive is tech-savvy, and it should come standard on every car.
While we may not be there just yet, auto manufacturers are adding more features with each rollout.
Connectivity matters and consumers want it quick and with as little effort as possible.
Many cars already come equipped standard with the ability to sync to your Bluetooth enabled phone. Many are converting to keyless entry, push-button start technology, and most recently, some vehicles have begun rolling out their autonomous driving features.
Autonomous Driving
It was only a matter of time before the machines took over. Okay, so that’s a gross exenteration, but autonomous driving is no longer a concept made exclusively for the movies.
With so much traffic on the road, there’s now a greater need for this type of advanced technology. Many car designers have started experimenting with fully self-driving vehicles.
Others are slowly dipping their toes into the deep end. Rolling out their vehicles with automated features such as parking assist and emergency braking assist these auto manufacturers are steadily jumping on the automation bandwagon.
A car that drives itself, without the guidance of a human, is already being tested on roadways. Soon we would have cars on the road that have passengers but no human drivers.
Vehicle Safety
When vehicles were first on the road, vehicle safety consisted of the driver throwing their arm across the seat to keep you from going through the windshield. Now, the pendulum has swung the other way.
Drivers want to know that when they get behind the wheel of a car, they are going to make it to their destination. Consumers will pay more for features that guarantee this, which is why advanced safety features are another automotive industry trend.
When it comes to vehicle safety, there are active and passive systems.
Active systems not only warn you of impending danger but put steps into place to help your vehicle avoid said danger. These features are often electronic and controlled by a computer placed inside of the car.
Passive systems may be included, but they do not work until an accident. For example, seat belts and air-bags are examples of a passive system.
The goal of every auto manufacturer is to keep their consumers safe so the race is on to see who can create the world’s most reliable vehicle.
Environmental Concerns
Everyone is talking about the environment and with good reason. Over the decades, the automotive industry has received much of the blame when it comes to vehicles’ harsh impact on our climate.
But that’s now changing.
Sustainability is on the tips of everyone’s tongue in the design labs, and finding better ways to use sustainable (yet sturdy) materials in auto manufacturing is now a must for every auto manufacturer.
Electric vehicles are number one when it comes to how the auto industry is helping the environment. People still need a way to get around, and some distances are just too far to walk.
The invention of the electric car was a lifesaver for all those involved.
There are three types of technology that are used to power electric vehicles:
- Electric
- Hybrid Electric
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric
In 2018 over 2 million electric cars were sold, which proves that electric cars are an auto industry trend that is on the rise.
Social media has worked wonders for the public image of electric cars, and dealerships would be wise to jump on this trend. Auto dealer lead generation is a great way to find those who have an interest in electric vehicles.
The more of these that we have on the road, the better it is for all of us.
Shared Mobility
In highly congested cities where parking is scarce, and traffic is hectic, automotive companies are toying with the idea of shared mobility.
This concept is where the cost and operation of a vehicle are shared among a group of people.
What we will see are third party companies purchasing fleets of vehicles and renting them out to licensed drivers in highly dense metropolitan areas. This idea has its merits yet sounds like a scheduling nightmare that still needs to be worked out before it’s rolled out to the general public.
Currently, companies such as Uber and Lyft dominate the market when it comes to rideshare services. Cities such as New York, Chicago, Miami, and other areas with a high population is where this service is most widely used.
Automotive Biometrics
This feature could fall under safety; however, it’s so clever that it deserves its section. Vehicle biometric systems are currently in their initial phase of development; however, what is planned for them is worth writing home about.
With the ability to monitor the health of the driver, a vehicle may soon be able to determine if the driver is suffering from fatigue.
With heart rate monitoring in the steering column and possible iris detection, this could work well in conjunction with many other safety features.
Again, since this is still in the initial development phase, we won’t be seeing this as a standard feature on cars any time soon. But it gives us something to look forward to for the future.
Keeping Drivers Happy
There are many wonderful auto industry trends on the horizon. Many features that we have to look forward to, and many that will change how we view transportation.
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