Suppose you have been in a new vehicle lately. In that case, with all the technological advancements, you may feel like you’ve stepped into the 21st century’s version of Back to the Future. You’re not wrong to feel that. Over the past decade or two, vehicles have come a long way. Remember when Bluetooth was invented, and cassette players became obsolete? At that time, that was the pinnacle of vehicle technology, but, really, it was just the beginning. Are you one who embraces new technologies or one who is apprehensive of them, especially within the automotive industry? We’ve laid out some of the most newsworthy automotive trends you can be on the lookout for.
Forming of Partnerships
As automakers begin competing to have the latest technology, we will start to see tech companies and automakers joining forces. It is inevitable unless automakers invest massive amounts of money into their tech divisions or tech companies become part of the automotive sector and start producing their own vehicles. Neither of the latter seems like viable options if a tech or auto company wants to keep up with the growth rate happening and still have a fair market share.
Electric Vehicles
The concept of an electric car is not new; they’ve been around for a while. Nowhere near as long as the original Ford from the early 1900s, but the design isn’t the new kid on the block anymore. With that said, we can all expect to see newer, more exciting versions packed with even fancier operating systems continuing to be produced. As part of those new and innovative zero-emission vehicles, we’re going to start seeing the production of fuel cell electric vehicles amping up, where they offer a faster charge than even the most modern EVs, such as Tesla and can get up to five times the range. The only emissions that come from the tailpipe are water. With financial backing from China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the USA, you can bet your butt the money is there to make these engines and will be in high demand.
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)
Autonomous vehicles or self-driving vehicles will be changing driving habits around the world. There was once a time when we couldn’t fathom a car that drove itself. As scary as that may be for some people, it will be a reality. We aren’t talking 100 years from now; it’s just around the corner. AVs will reduce the need for human drivers, and the hope is that along with the reduction of human drivers, there will also be fewer motor vehicle accidents. The production of AVs comes with enhanced AI capabilities which will detect obstacles throughout the route. Although these vehicles haven’t hit the market (yet), they will be here before we know it. If you’re a techy person and think you might need a new car in the not-so-distant future, you might want to hold off until you can get your hands on an AV.
Connected Cars
These days, it’s all about connectivity, and the future of vehicles supports it. Cars will soon be able to be connected to the internet wirelessly and communicate with other systems. As part of this continued advancement in vehicle technology, soon, we will see fancy vehicle tracking systems in every new car. Vehicle tracking built into a vehicle will help lower insurance costs because of not having to “write off” vehicles that were stolen. With technology like this, you can remotely slow down your car, stop it, shut it off, and prevent it from starting again. This isn’t a new technology we are waiting for; it’s already here: BMW ConnectedDrive, Genesis Connected Services, Hyundai Bluelink®, and other top auto brands have their own versions.
Extinction of Traditional Dealerships
Okay, extinction might be a little harsh; sorry, traditional dealerships. Unfortunately, it’s already begun. You can say it’s because of the pandemic, or you can think it was already in motion before, but the reality is that the way people buy cars is changing. Don’t think this is only happening with vehicle purchasing; most retail offerings have completely moved online or offer an online option. Obviously, we are all about convenience and our whole approach to buying cars is with your convenience in mind, which is why you can buy your car online or in-store at FFUN Cars. Why? We know people, and people don’t like hassle. Over the next few years, we will continue to see car sales decline through traditional dealerships, while vehicle sales will rise through online platforms, so leave your pajamas on; you can buy your car while in them.
Shared Mobility
The population is growing, bringing more vehicles to the road, and fuel prices have become nearly unbearable. Owning a car is costly and not always necessary, especially in large cities. Shared mobility (in simple terms) is where multiple people share a vehicle. You could think of it as an Uber service where you are the driver - sort of. They say sharing is caring, but we say sharing is affordable and convenient. Forget paying for vehicle maintenance, parking, and insurance; those costs are pulled from the per-usage fees you pay. How much of an industry trend is this, though? Will we see a dramatic decrease in vehicles on the road? Maybe, maybe not, but you can be sure several people will be taking advantage of it. If you live in a big city, the chances are there is already a shared mobility car service.
Smartphones Are Keys
You read that right, smartphones have started to replace car keys. In the future, we won’t need anything but a cell phone. You can already control the lights in your home and the thermostat with your cell phone, so why wouldn’t you control your vehicle, too? The benefit is that you can share your vehicle with whoever you decide and anytime you want, as long as you have your phone. Of the automakers that already offer this technology, i.e., BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Genesis, sorry Apple users, you have to wait; this technology is only available for Android users. There is no denying that technology is our future, and we’re here for it. Hence why we launched a new way of buying a car. You can browse vehicles online, purchase them, and have them delivered to your door. Or, if you prefer a more traditional way of buying a car, you can come to the dealership. Plus, we make it so you can avoid going to your bank by making it possible for you to get approved online and do your financing online. Yup, it’s all about you. Now, come on over and explore the many benefits of buying from FFUN Cars.
