This year is going to be a huge year for many reasons, and the automobile world is no exception. The industry has undergone some exciting developments in recent years with the arrival of self-driving cars, and the advancements in technology aren’t slowing down at all. This is good news for us gearheads and technology enthusiasts alike.
We asked the people of www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk and they painted us a picture of the top car trends to look forward to this year. So buckle up and take a look on what you can expect coming to you, it promises to be an exciting ride!
1. Cars Getting Smaller and Lighter
Many people vow to lose weight in the new year, and cars are no exception. The BMW 3 Series has dropped 80 kg, and the new model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee decided to do the same thing with losing 8 kg by adopting a lighter composite tailgate. Lesser weight means less fuel spent, so we are all winners here.
2. AI Interfaces
If the inclusion of smart technology inside a car wasn’t exciting enough, automakers are likely to begin introducing vehicles that feature AI interfaces. Software will be worked into the car via the infotainment system as a sort of virtual personal assistant that will be able to respond to vocal commands, give the driver and passengers real time info, and guide drivers by working in tandem with a smart tech system.
The system will be reminiscent of a smartphone, offering apps as well as personal diary management. It is expected that the number of networked cars will rise by about 30% in the coming years and one in five cars will be connected to the internet by the year 2020. Data exchanged in connected vehicles will allow the auto industry to gather more accurate info about the way the cars are being driven, which can lead to accurately priced insurance premiums.
3. More Electricity
Electric cars are becoming more popular by the day. They were received well upon their first introduction and this is expected to continue this year. More money is being invested into hybrid infrastructures and charge stations. The demand for these cars has increased and is will continue to do so as companies like Dyson invest in electrical car manufacturing. Dyson has announced plans to set up a factory in Singapore for electric cars, and the site is expected to be completed next year.
In the United States, California will push electric vehicle deployment the fastest of all. The Golden State accounts for half of the market for electric vehicles in USA, due to state policies which are only getting more strict. Governor Jerry Brown signed an executive order-B-48-18 as a means of boosting state electrification.
The state’s goals are to put 5 million EVs on the road by 2030 and have 25,000 EV chargers built and installed by 2025. Even the luxury brands are getting in on this trend. Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling luxury car of 2018 in the USA, and Jaguar i-Pace is competing with Tesla Model S in hopes of overtaking it on the electric car market. Never mind that it looks just as cool as the Model S, if not cooler!
4. Fewer Sedans
Sedan sales in the USA have dropped to about 30% of the market, whereas five years ago they shared the market with cars, trucks and SUVs. Americans like to go big, opting for large cars everywhere they go and especially when traveling. Chrysler is down to producing just one sedan, its 300 model, and Ford has very few to speak of nowadays.
The Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, and Taurus are all leaving the company lineup. Only the Mustang, a sports car, shall remain. Jim Hackett, CEO, indicated that this decision was simply to keep the company profitable.
General Motors is going the same route, with production stopping on the Chevy Cruze, Cadillac XTS, and Buick LaCrosse. Another surprising move is the dropping of the Chevy Volt, a plugin hybrid. It is indeed a sign of the changing times and desires of consumers to see production halt on these cars.
5. Tech Based Shopping
Apps to buy a car? Um, maybe that’s great for pizza, but a car? Believe it. Online services and apps are making it easier for consumers to get their hands on what they want while they stay comfortably at home. Check out services like Carvana, Roadster, Fair and AutoGravity to name a few.
These offer consumers the ability to do all the shopping, paperwork and financing without ever having to step foot into a dealership. In a world where Amazon brings us everything we want in two days or less, it’s what the industry needs to keep up with demand.
Conclusion
In closing, keep an eye out for these trends to come your way this year. Which one are you most looking forward to? Whether it’s the eco-friendly nature of an electric car or the luxury of a Jaguar or Tesla, you’ve certainly got plenty to look forward to and a little to miss, especially with the departure of some sedans.
