Is it about the car?

20 January 2014

The annual Detroit Motor Show is a key opportunity for US automakers to show their muscle, both literally and metaphorically. General Motors led with the new Corvette while Ford showed off its F-150 pick-up the latest incarnation of the best-selling car in the US market.

But actually, if you want to understand a bit more about the current direction of the global auto industry, you shouldnt bother with Detroit. The real action was a week earlier at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

This year auto exhibitors included Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes and Toyota.

It was CES where Ford chose to reveal the 2015 Mustang in the metal, along with SYNC AppLink which lets drivers talk to the car to control popular iPhone and Android apps.

This was also where Google announced it is working with Audi, Honda, GM and Hyundai to interface its Android operating system directly with onboard car systems and Audi revealed the interior of the next TT with a totally digital display and integrated tablet computer. Then there was the Bosch self-parking system, Hyundai working with Google Glass on pre-start functions (such as vehicle warm-up) and BMWs latest ConnectedDrive, which links your car journey to public transport and tells you if it would be faster to take the train.

I could go on, but you probably get the picture.

There is plenty of evidence that Generation Y is not terribly interested in cars. In the UK, the percentage of teenagers with provisional driving licences has fallen to 36%, but I guarantee theyve all got SmartPhones.

So, the manufacturers realise the future is not going to be about the car; and maybe it never was. When Prince wrote Little red Corvette, baby youre much too fast he wasnt talking about the car but then he probably didnt have a mobile phone in mind, either!

Rupert Saunders

Join our LinkedIn group and share your your views with us and other readers. If you’ve been forwarded this issue of Agenda by a colleague, why not sign up for your own free trial?

Why Subscribe?

As an auto retail executive you need insightful and unique industry intelligence to boost your business potential. Here’s a taste of what Auto Retail Network has to offer:

Get informed and boost your business potential
More than 1,200 fellow executives have joined us since launch
Independent, carefully crafted, unique content relevant to you and your business
Develop a greater awareness of market trends and opportunities
Access to a wide range of materials whenever, wherever and however you want it
Significant discounts on ARN events, reports and other publications

Subscribe now

Latest ARN Blog Post

Testimonials

I’ve found today really exciting. I’ve attended a number of conferences this year and I’ve been surprised by how well attended this was by some of the great players in the industry and by the quality of the speakers. I’d say it was definitely the best event I’ve attended this year.

Chris Penny, Chief of Staff, Vertu Motors plc

I found it very insightful. I’ve taken copious notes and there are lots of things we can take away and do.

Tracy Perryman, Managing Director, Denbury Diesels

I’ve been an Auto Retail Network subscriber since it was first launched. I find Auto Retail Bulletin particularly useful since it gives real, in-depth analysis into the issues facing this industry.

Ken Savage, commercial director, Perrys Group

This is the 3rd time I’ve attended the event & I thought today’s was the best one yet, the content was superb. It really gave us an insight into how we’ve got to take our business forward.

Ian Godbold, ICG Digital

I use Auto Retail Bulletin to keep fully up to speed with what is going on. The analysis is first class and I read it from cover to cover. It really helps my understanding of our industry and is not to be missed.

Robert Forrester, CEO Vertu PLC