- Continental
- Mobility
- inas
- Continental Mobility Study
- Philipp von Hirschheydt
Young People See Cars As Status Symbol Finds Continental Study
- by MT Bureau
- October 30, 2024
German tier 1 supplier Continental recently commissioned a representative mobility study in August 2024 to understand the perception about young people on mobility needs.
For the Mobility Study 2024, infas was commissioned by Continental in August 2024 to survey a total of around 5,000 people aged 18 and over in Germany, China, France, Japan and the USA about their mobility habits and attitudes to a variety of mobility issues. In each country, the respective sample is representative of the population; for China, it is representative of the urban population. The aim of the Continental Mobility Study, now in its eighth edition since 2011, is to provide an international comparison of people’s attitudes toward current and future developments in mobility and their personal usage habits. The range of topics covered in this year’s study included automated driving, user experience, AI in cars, sustainable mobility concepts, mobility in urban areas, the affordability of mobility and attitudes toward government regulation in the mobility sector.
The key findings found that overall, 84 percent of car owners in Germany, regardless of age, believe that it is important to own a car. For almost 90 percent, having a car is essential for shopping and running other errands. The majority of young people in Germany are particularly enthusiastic about technological advances in cars. They look forward to the benefits self-driving cars will offer in terms of being able to read, play video games or work (51 percent of 25 to 34-year-olds). In addition to autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of digital voice assistants is very popular with this group. There is a similar level of approval in the four other countries surveyed in the study.
Philipp von Hirschheydt, Executive Board member responsible for the Automotive group sector, Continental, said, “The findings show that the response to new technologies such as automated driving, large displays and AI in cars varies greatly between generations and also between countries. That’s why we aim to provide customised solutions – market-specific, tailor-made and modular.”
The findings of the study also reveal the current status of the trend toward lower-emission mobility worldwide. Particularly striking is that acceptance of fully electric cars remains low.
In Germany, only 3 percent of all car owners have an electric vehicle. However, just over a third of respondents who do not yet own an electric vehicle believe their next car will be fully electric (39 percent, compared with 34 percent in 2022). By contrast, hybrid drives are highly popular across all countries. In Germany (48 percent) and the USA (47 percent), nearly half of respondents who do not own an electric car can imagine their next vehicle being a hybrid with a combustion engine and an electric motor.
In China, that figure rises to almost nine out of 10 respondents (86 percent). This means that hybrid cars could increasingly bridge the gap to e-mobility and give it a renewed boost. With a share of 68 percent, younger people in Germany aged between 25 and 34 are particularly interested in electric cars – also compared with their international peers.
Vehicle as a status symbol
On the one hand, younger people up to the age of 34 in Germany do not feel that attached to cars. For them, more than for older respondents, it is one of many means of transportation available. On the other hand, generation Y and Z drivers born in the 1990s and later have a clear emotional connection to their cars: for more than half of 18 to 34-year-olds (54 percent) in Germany, cars are regarded as a status symbol – twice the share among respondents aged 45 and over. People aged between 18 and 34, particularly those living in large cities, see cars as a prestige item (67 percent). In small towns and rural areas, the approval rate is around 49 percent. This view of the car is accompanied by growing expectations. Of the 25 to 34-year-olds surveyed, for example, 51 percent believe that cars of the future should not only be a safe means of transportation, but also a place to relax and work.
Tech attracts young people
The study also found that younger people in Germany also had a positive attitude toward highly automated and autonomous driving, with around two-thirds (65 percent) of 18 to 34-year-olds seeing this as a useful development. Among older respondents aged 55 and over, 39 percent share this view. Around two-thirds of younger people up to the age of 34 also believe that state-of-the-art technologies should be mandatory in newly registered cars in order to make traffic even safer – a viewpoint that signals approval of the EU directive requiring certain advanced driver assistance systems in new cars, which has been in force since July 2024.
Another future technology that is particularly popular with younger people is AI assistants in cars. Almost three-quarters of respondents (74 percent) between the ages of 18 and 34 would welcome an AI voice as a service that, like a virtual travel companion, provides useful information about sights and restaurants along the route, finds the nearest gas or charging station, searches for free parking spaces or even compiles personal messages.
“Younger people in particular have changing expectations of cars. These are closely linked to pioneering technologies such as automated driving, which deliver new user experiences. At Continental, we’re already equipping cars with AI. Together with our partner Google Cloud, we have developed a virtual companion for drivers. We are particularly proud to be one of the first automotive suppliers worldwide to integrate Google Cloud applications directly into our vehicle computers,” added Hirschheydt.
Autonomous & AI
The comparison between countries reveals a widespread openness to highly automated and autonomous driving in Asia across all age groups. In China, nine out of 10 respondents (90 percent) view the relevant technologies as a useful development, while in Japan, almost three-quarters (72 percent) share this sentiment. In France (60 percent) and the USA (56 percent), more than half of those surveyed have a positive attitude. In Germany, around one in two respondents (49 percent) feel the same. An AI-powered virtual travel companion is particularly popular in China, where nine out of 10 respondents (91 percent) say they would like to have such a service. In the USA (66 percent) and Japan (63 percent), around two-thirds express this wish, while in France (58 percent) and Germany (57 percent) more than half would be happy to have the technology.
There is broad agreement across all countries on the ideal size of a car display for infotainment content. Most people prefer larger displays, with 90 percent of respondents in China favouring this option.
In Germany (81 percent), France (79 percent) and the USA (80 percent), eight out of 10 respondents would like their navigation, vehicle data and music to be shown on large screens.
In Japan, the figure is more than two-thirds (69 percent). However, preferences differ significantly when it comes to technological details. While the majority of respondents in Japan (79 percent) and more than half in Germany (57 percent) prefer a simpler display on car screens, a slight majority in the USA (58 percent) favour more colours. By contrast, many features are popular in China (69 percent). In Japan (70 percent), the majority prefer a more straightforward digital design, while in Germany, around half feel the same way (55 percent).
There are also differences between countries when it comes to the question of whether a display should be controlled by voice or manually: voice control is particularly popular in Japan (67 percent), more than half are in favour of it in China (59 percent), while the number is significantly lower in Germany (43 percent). In the USA, just over half (55 percent) also prefer to operate a display manually.
Hybrid
The study shows that hybrid drivers in Germany have an above-average interest in all-electric mobility – a strong indication that hybrid cars can play a key role as a bridging technology for the transition to fully electric drives.
For example, 43 percent of respondents who currently use a vehicle with a combined combustion engine and electric motor say that their next car will definitely be an all-electric vehicle. Those who drive a gasoline or diesel vehicle are significantly less open to such a switch (12 and 19 percent respectively). In addition, a clear majority (58 percent) of hybrid drivers would be willing to buy an electric car without a government subsidy.
The data suggests that hybrid vehicles are boosting people’s confidence in e-mobility and may help reduce any reservations about fully electric vehicles. One group with significant future potential for this development is the 48 percent of respondents who do not drive an electric or hybrid car and for whom an all-electric car is not currently an option, but who are considering a hybrid as their next car.
Varying degree in e-cars
The shift to electric mobility is under pressure in Germany, where sales of all-electric cars are faltering. According to the latest figures of the Continental study, electric cars represent a significant share (10 percent) of the overall passenger-car fleet in China, while only 3 percent of respondents in Germany drive an all-electric car and 91 percent a car with a combustion engine (China: 80 percent). There is potential for higher sales of electric cars in Germany, particularly among those aged 18 to 34. In this age group, around two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents believe it is certain or likely that their next car will be fully electric – a trend that gradually diminishes in older generations.
A look at age-dependent attitudes toward electric mobility reveals that, like many other technological developments, e-mobility is more appealing to younger drivers than older ones. They are more willing to forgo subsidies: 50 percent of 25 to 34-year-olds would consider buying an electric car without government assistance. However, the willingness to fully finance an electric vehicle decreases significantly among those aged 45 and older.
EVs and subsidy
The study found that two-thirds of respondents in Germany link the purchase of an electric car to a government subsidy is an expression of their concerns about being unable to finance an electric car on their own. In Germany, 71 percent of respondents worry that mobility will no longer be affordable due to rising energy prices. In the 2022 Mobility Study, 73 percent of people in Germany expressed their concerns about the affordability of mobility.
What’s more, 65 percent of respondents fear that they will not be able to afford an electric car in the near future and 56 percent are worried that driving could soon become too expensive for them. As a result, a clear majority (80 percent) expect policymakers to create the framework conditions to ensure that driving remains affordable. At the same time, they believe driving should be made more sustainable in the most cost-neutral way possible. Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of respondents think that the cost of environmentally friendly cars needs to fall. Regulatory interventions such as a speed limit of 130 kmph on highways are met with acceptance (62 percent), provided they do not lead to price increases. Younger respondents are less price-sensitive. They are much more prepared to pay a premium for environmentally friendly cars, especially if they are completely carbon-neutral in production and operation (40 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds compared with 13 percent of 45 to 54-year-olds).
Sustainable tyres
Sustainability is an important concern for people with cars is also demonstrated by their attitude to tyres. According to the study, almost eight out of 10 drivers in Germany (84 percent) who also value tyre recycling consider it important that their tyres contain an increasing share of environmentally friendly materials. When purchasing tyres, younger people (61 percent of 25 to 34-year-olds) are more concerned than older people about what happens to the tyres at the end of their service life.
Furthermore, 44 percent of car owners in Germany would be willing to pay a premium for tyres made from a higher share of renewable and sustainable materials. Here again, this willingness is most pronounced among 25 to 34-year-olds (65 percent).
- Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Maruti Suzuki India
- Suzuki E Vitara
- Toshihiro Suzuki
- LFP
- Suzuki Motor Gujarat
- Auto Expo
- Bharat Mobility Show
- Japan Mobility Show
Suzuki E Vitara Unveiled, Made In India EV To Be Globally Sold In 2025
- by MT Bureau
- November 04, 2024
Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation has unveiled its first mass-production battery electric vehicle (BEV) model, the e Vitara, in Milan, Italy.
Interestingly, the e Vitara will be produced at Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant in India. The EV will be sold globally including Europe, India and Japan starting next year. For the unversed, the e Vitara was first showcased as a concept model christened ‘eVX’ at Auto Expo in January 2023 and Japan Mobility Show in October 2023.
The e Vitara comes with an eAxle that integrated the motor and inverter. The OEM has gone with lithium iron-phosphate battery chemistry.
The EV features an electric 4WD system, which the company calls ‘Allgrip-e’ that allows for off-road capability. The e Vitara is based on the company’s newly developed platform ‘Heartect-e’.
The e Vitara also comes with a Trail mode that the OEM claims enables smooth escape from rough terrain by applying brakes to spinning tyres and distributing drive torque to the opposite tyre (LSD function).
Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “The e Vitara is our first BEV, developed through repeated trial and error to create an easy-to-use BEV for our customers. In order to realise a carbon-neutral society, we will provide a variety of options, including BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and CNG vehicles, tailored to specific regions. Introduction of the e Vitara represents a significant milestone in achieving carbon neutrality. Following the launch of the e Vitara, we will continue to expand our BEV line-up and propose mobility solutions tailored to the needs of specific countries and regions.”
Once launched, the e Vitara will compete against the Tata Curvv, MG ZS EV and Mahindra’s upcoming BE 05 and Hyundai Creta EV.
- Hyundai Motor India
- Hyundai Verna
- Global NCAP
Hyundai Motor India Launches Updated Verna Sedan At INR 1.1 Million
- by MT Bureau
- November 04, 2024
Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has launched the updated Verna sedan at prices starting INR 1.1 million (ex-showroom).
The Verna now gets a new sporty rear spoiler and a new amazon grey monotone colour.
The 5-star Global NCAP safety-rated Hyundai Verna comes with 33 safety features including 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts, ESC, VSM & HAC and Isofix across all trims as standard.
In addition, it also gets Hyundai Smart Sense – Level 2 ADAS technology, which uses automated sensing technology with radars (Front & Rear), sensors and camera (Front) to detect obstacles on the road and initiating corrective action and warnings.
On the inside, the Hyundai Verna cabin gets integrated infotainment & digital cluster front ventilated & heated seats, 64 colour ambient lighting and Bose sound system.
The Hyundai Verna can be had in eight colour options including the new amazon grey and two dual-tone color options.
- Spinny
- used car
- automatic
- petrol
- diesel
- Niraj Singh
Spinny Reports 40% Growth In Car Deliveries During Festive Season
- by MT Bureau
- November 04, 2024
Spinny, one of India’s leading used car platform, reported a 40 percent growth in vehicle deliveries in October.
The platform states that key cities like Bengaluru, National Capital Region (NCR), Hyderabad, and Pune experienced significant demand surges, with customer preferences shifting towards automatic cars, SUVs, and financing options, reflecting the festive buying sentiment.
During the festivities, Spinny states it saw significant growth, delivering over 500 cars a day during Navratri, Dhanteras, Diwali weekend, and Festival of Spinny special price days.
In addition, the demand for vehicles with automatic transmission saw a 57 percent growth, mirroring the trend of convenience-first choices. Platform’s exchange program also saw a 39 percent increase as more buyers traded in old vehicles for newer models. In terms of demand, petrol variants remained the top choice, with a 50 percent rise in demand, while SUVs and sedans saw impressive growth of 49 percent and 46 percent, respectively. Additionally, women buyers now constitute over 20 percent of the total customer base in October, marking a substantial increase over the previous year.
Niraj Singh, CEO and Founder, Spinny, said, “As Dhantersas and Diwali marks a time of renewal, I am delighted to see more customers beginning their festive journeys with the Spinny platform and showing tremendous trust in our brand. The surge in demand reflects the joy of new purchases with a focus on more informed and convenient buying experiences, aligning perfectly with our promise of trust and transparency.”
- Maruti Suzuki India
- Maruti Suzuki
- sales
- export
- Toyota Motor Corporation
Maruti Suzuki India Reports Highest Monthly Wholesales At 206,434 Units In October 2024
- by MT Bureau
- November 01, 2024
Maruti Suzuki India, one of the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported its best-ever monthly wholesales in October 2024 with 206,434 units, up 4 percent YoY, as compared to 199,217 units for the same period last year.
The company reported domestic wholesales of 159,591 passenger vehicles, down 5 percent YoY, as compared to 168,047 units last year. The LCV sales were down 9 percent at 3,539 units.
On the other hand, the company’s sales to other OEMs (Toyota Motor Corporation) almost doubled at 10,136 units, as compared to 5,325 units, clocking a 90 percent YoY growth.
The exports too saw a smart uptick of 51 percent at 33,168 units, as compared to 21,951 units last year.
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