200th EditionMotorsLifestyle

Major Developments in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry has proven to be a boon when it comes to accessible and easier transportation. As with the advancement of technology, major developments are unearthed in this sector.

Talking about automobiles, their development started in 1672 with the invention of the first steam-powered vehicle. This led to the creation of the first steam-powered automobile capable of human transportation in 1769. 

First steam-powered automobile

Today, we have cars armed with state-of-the-art technology such as Artificial Intelligence, voice recognition, an automatic gear system, Bluetooth connections etc. Instead of needing fossil fuels to power the vehicle, more eco-friendly ways have popped up, namely the mass production of electric vehicles powered by batteries in recent times.

We are seeing a surge in developments to ease the process for customers when it comes to this particular sector. A few are developments would be:

Digitised vehicle purchasing

To drive home a more customer-centric and customer friendly approach, a digital transformation can be observed where every customer touchpoint is made available online for them to consider. With technologies such as VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality), the online shopping experience becomes more complete as the customer can comfortably take a look at all the parameters of the vehicle they seek to purchase.

Not only this, but companies like Tesla, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche are allowing their customers to customise the car they are purchasing according to their taste before they place the order.

Electric vehicles

World automobile makers will compete to dominate the market for new-generation electric cars by the end of this decade, driven by the environmental demand for zero carbon emissions.

More than 10 million electric cars were on the world’s roads in 2020 with battery-electric models driving the expansion. Notably, electric cars are gradually becoming more competitive in some countries on a total cost of ownership basis.

Scrappage policy

A policy that seeks to phase out old vehicles with the aim of reducing vehicular pollution and improving road safety and efficiency. This leads to the customers being more mindful of the car packages and plans they are now being offered, while for the companies it’s a golden opportunity to offer new incentives and make their offers more enticing.

Increased vehicle connectivity:

It’s 2030. You are driving to work, on a bright morning sipping on your coffee. The smart tint shields you from the sun’s glare. You are watching the news and catching up with your social media messages. All cars around you are autonomous and it is a smooth traffic-less drive.

Now, doesn’t that sound peaceful and hassle-free? This is a probable future given the increasing rate of vehicle connectivity.

The vehicle connectivity market is growing by releasing successful models with factory-fitted features that allow internet access and data sharing with external devices, a trend that users are flocking to because it provides more convenience and a more modern outlook.

While we have come a long way from needing carriages for transportation, the automotive industry doesn’t seem to be on the verge of dying anytime soon. Constant innovations are improving the efficiency of vehicles which now serve multiple usages besides plain transportation, offering comfort and relaxation too. With eco-friendly vehicles becoming more commonplace, recent developments spell a bright future for the automotive industry.

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