Groundbreaking Car Trends To Expect By 2025

January 16, 2023

With 2018 off to a thundering start, many auto-enthusiasts are looking to the future of the car industry with excitement. There is a lot of development taking place in this stimulating automotive market where companies are investing in new concepts and trends to improve products and strike a chord with consumers. Comprised is a list of common trends which will become commonplace before the year 2025.

Autonomous Vehicles (Self-Driving)

This one may come as no surprise, self-driving cars have been an auto industry promise for years now, but it seems that consumer products may be available soon. Large companies such as Google’s Waymo and automotive leaders such as Tesla, GM, and Ford are all working on producing self-driving cars which will make commuting more comfortable, efficient, and safer. There are various levels of autonomy in these models ranging from safety assistance which allows the driver to give the car control over one system, to fully autonomous driving which provides complete control for the vehicle and removes all human input.

Self-driving cars will be an unavoidable and futuristic car feature which will be discussed next.

Connected Car Network

With the self-driving vehicle on the road, a connected car network will not be far behind. With cars capable of communicating with each other, the world will see a reduction in accidents, traffic and an increase in ride-sharing for vehicles while unused. Also, insurers will have greater access to driver behavior and statistics making it possible to calculate an appropriate insurance quote per driver more accurately. All of this sounds great, but there are a few complications; issues with privacy will most definitely come into play as a result of vehicle monitoring as well as drivers who wish to remain in control of their cars just due to preference.

With massive developments in vehicle technology, the following is a market-based trend to expect by 2025.

Emerging Markets

Emerging markets will play a large role in the auto industry moving forward compared to its current participation. While per capita incomes are rising in emerging markets such as India and China the demand for affordable vehicles will rise as well. Goldman Sachs reports that India’s market alone will place in the top three auto markets by 2025 with approximately seven-million-four-hundred-thousand units. Such a maturation will drastically affect the export market in developed nations as well as increase the use of carsharing platforms internationally. Cars will need to be developed and sold for less money while maintaining a robust standard of fuel efficiency.

Next on the docket is a truly unique visual experience that the automotive industry is looking towards.

Lighter Is Better

Cars in the future will continue to follow down the trend of lighter is better. By 2025, consumers will see a dramatic reduction of weight for commercial vehicles, made by decreasing material, designs meant to reduce drag and hopefully stronger material. Currently, the steel being used is significantly less expensive than alternatives such as carbon fiber. That being said, standard steel is a dense material that weighs down vehicles and makes for a less fuel efficient unit. However, the years to come will likely see a majority shift to different materials such as aluminum alloys (approximately six dollars per kilogram) or carbon fiber plastics (about forty dollars per kilogram). Currently, alternative materials are being used for high-end vehicles, but due to pollution and greenhouse gas concerns, consumers can expect to see more economy class models adapting to increase fuel efficiency, given that product prices are reasonable. The next slide presents a genuinely futuristic feature which will make car trips relaxing.

Cameras Replacing Mirrors

As vehicles advance, one trend which is likely to thrive will be the replacement of rear view, and side view mirrors with cameras and sensors. This is already a part of the current auto market, many models displaying reversing cameras and sensors monitoring blindspot traffic. However, as technology advances there will be a shift to full 360-degree vision to ensure ultimate vehicle coverage, eliminating blind spots and making the stress of backing up virtually absent. Such advancements create opportunities for standard car interior and exterior design to make significant shifts forward.

Next is the stunning new trend which will eliminate the gear shift stick.

Push Button Shifting

Gear shifts had maintained their general identity since 1932 when Richard Spikes received his patent for an automatic shift. However, thanks to the innovators at companies such as Acura and Honda, gear shifts are taking an entirely new look, following the successful push-to-start design. Removing the gear shift stick frees plenty of space in the center console and creates a slick, modern look. Gearshifting has been simplified to the push of a button which follows the trend in reducing unnecessary functions.

The next step may become a trend for cars in the next few years; the following slide may present an even more futuristic feature to replace buttons altogether.

Voice Interaction

Voice technology is currently a factor in new cars allowing operators to do simple things such as change the song, make outbound calls and messages, as well as GPS navigation. Thanks to popular products like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, the limits of voice-activated technology are being pushed each day. Future car companies may advance voice technology to stretch further than ever before with brand-specific systems meant to encourage total voice control over vehicles. Consumers can expect to voice control car temperatures, plan routes, schedule pickups for food and beverages and more potentials like raising and lowering windows.

Built-in technology and systems are advancing every day, but next up is a trend which will become more mainstream, post-purchase.

After-Sales

One more trend which consumers should expect to see prominent by 2025 will be the after-sales market. With developed nations car sales slowing and the developing countries increasing their share of market sales, consumers will be shifting towards after sales advancements. After-sales refer to the market for selling parts or services to improve or alter a product, like adding a spoiler to a car. Adding products or servicing a car is nothing new, but the extent by which this occurs should be expected to increase; products are becoming less expensive per unit and growing more accepted among car enthusiasts as well as general public.

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