Automotive trends to watch in 2018

It’s 2018, and, pathbreaking trends in the automotive industry will be setting up the stage for a lot more innovation and investments from stakeholders in the industry. If you are part of the automotive industry, the following top 10 trends will define your business strategy for 2018:

 

1. Crossover vehicles- Versatility meets practicality, and wins the buyer’s approval
For a generation that expects the comfort of an SUV with fuel and operational cost-effectiveness, crossover vehicles have become a big hit. A mix between regular Sedans and SUVs, crossover vehicles have emerged as one of the most practical ways to commute without compromising on comfort and style. Expect big investments and experimentation, alongside the discovery of newer markets for the sturdy and fun crossover vehicles.

2. Car sharing– Less stress on city traffic and the environment
Industry experts have found that, over the past couple of years, emotional attachment to cars has decreased significantly. This explains why car sharing has become very popular, even in emerging economies in the APAC and the EMEA regions. The fact that by 2030, one out of every ten cars sold is estimated to be a shared vehicle, reflects the growing awareness to ‘go green’ and reduce carbon footprints.

Market analysts at technavio.strikingly.com predict that the concept of car sharing will also undergo bigtime customization in 2018. Ride sharing major, Uber, is already allowing passengers to use an auxiliary cable for music, and in some cases even offering snacks and drinks to enhance the passenger’s core riding experience.

IoT and connected devices have now made their way into the automotive industry. It is expected that connected cars will step out of developmental obscurity and become an important personal item to be connected to the internet. While the technology in itself isn’t new, the adoption rate of connected vehicles will rise steadily over the next five years.

4. Baby boomers and multi-terrain vehicles
It’s true that millennials rule almost every market segment, but when it comes to the automotive industry, baby boomers lead the way. As a majority of this generation move closer to retirement, being able to travel on their own is a critical requirement.

Multi-terrain vehicles provide the much-needed comfort and ease of operation in difficult terrains. Their five-door utility, heated leather seats, high-end audio systems, and frugal fuel consumption are all incredibly appealing to baby boomers. This explains the spike in sales of multi-terrain vehicles over the past few years, and the trend is expected to continue into 2018.

5. Cloud powered automotive industry
One major automotive industry trend is the use of cloud technology. Industry 4.0 has transformed every aspect of automobile production, from design and operation to the servicing of physical systems. Cloud also enables scaling of different processes and services, thereby reducing costs and eliminating any scope for waste. Thus, 2018 will see the automotive industry take more determined steps to integrate their engineering and design activities with the cloud.

One example is automotive telematics, a flourishing market that takes advantage of cloud technology. Below are some key insights about this market from our industry experts.