As the automotive industry continues to grow, experts are predicting that the importance of owning a car is being replaced by the importance of what car customers are driving.
In an increasingly consumerist society, motorists seem to be placing more emphasis on ‘usership’ than ownership. Some industry analysts have even gone so far as to predict that one day motorists will expect the car to do the driving for them, leaving them free to make video calls to friends and family and browse the internet.
According to Mathieu Meyer, who is KPMG’s global head of automotive, there are a number of technological barriers than car manufacturers must overcome to be truly successful in the future market.
One such obstacle is to refine the technology used to make electric cars to ensure that they are more lightweight, with view to these cars one day being replaced by models that are able to run on gases such as hydrogen.
Cars that are able to cope with a rapidly expanding urban environment will also be in high demand, as the size of the UK’s major cities continues to grow.
Cars are also expected to rely more heavily on electricity, both as a fuel source when combined with combustion engines, and as a way of powering features such as brakes and steering systems.
Motor industry experts have also highlighted the importance of being able to connect to the internet on the move as crucial, with manufacturers who are able to embrace this technology setting themselves up for success.
With car owners used being able to instantly access the internet at home and work, this expectant nature looks set to extend into the car.
The ability to access online music, as well as up to date traffic information will be a useful tool for manufacturers in selling units in the future.