AutoPacific’s recent COVID-19 survey results reveal the potential for an uptick in use of online vehicle sales services over the coming weeks and months.
by Deborah Grieb, Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights
39% of consumers who intended to purchase a new vehicle within the next year say their plans have been delayed due to COVID-19. According to results of an online study of U.S. vehicle owners, fielded by AutoPacific from April 9-April 20, 2020, the majority of delays range from 3-6 months (33%) and 7-12 months (25%), while 27% say they are just waiting for things to get back to normal.
Source: AutoPacific COVID-19 impact survey; 0-12 month purchase intenders
Source: AutoPacific COVID-19 impact survey; 0-12 month purchase intenders who plan to delay their purchase (n=52)
The economic threat appears larger to the car-buying population than the fear of contracting or transmitting the disease.
Over half of consumers state “economic uncertainty” as the top reason for this delay while 19% say “fear of going out” has caused the delay.
by Deborah Grieb, Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights
Increased use of cell phones for navigation services would lead many to believe factory-installed, or on-board, navigation is heading down the same path as cassette and CD players. In fact, the death of on-board navigation is far from reality.
According to AutoPacific’s Future Attribute Demand Study, 60% of new vehicle buyers want factory-installed navigation on their next vehicle. While down slightly from previous years, feature demand remains strong and ranks 3rd overall out of over 100 features surveyed.
AutoPacific Future Attribute Demand Study: 2016-2019
Despite lower demand from younger generations, interest in this feature remains strong at greater than 50% from even the youngest buyers. As demand increases with age, expect factory-installed navigation to have a presence for years to come.
AutoPacific 2019 Future Attribute Demand Study
Autonomy Secures the Long-Term Future of On-Board Navigation
Autonomous drive technology continues to generate buzz in the industry, and automakers and suppliers are racing to make it ready for prime time. Among the many components needed to make fully autonomous driving a reality is extremely accurate GPS map data. At current levels of technology, this map data must be on board the vehicle, rather than sourced from the driver’s phone. Future autonomous drive implementations that can autonomously get a vehicle from point A to point B will require on-board GPS maps to determine the best route and drive itself to the destination.
by Deborah Grieb, Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights
When asked if they “would prefer to own a vehicle that, on demand, can drive itself,” 28% of new vehicle buyers overall agree with the statement (top 2 box). Generation Z new vehicle owners are the most likely to agree (50%), followed by Generation Y (49%).
Source: AutoPacific 2019 New Vehicle Satisfaction Study
Connectivity versus Practicality
While younger generations may be more interested in autonomous vehicle technology now, their reasons likely stem from their lifelong immersion in technology and desire to remain connected, reduce commute fatigue, etc. Older generations, on the other hand, have a longer road to gaining comfort with autonomy, but ironically, may be the first to experience the benefits of full autonomy. AutoPacific believes it is likely that small geofenced areas, like retirement communities and hospital campuses, will be among the first places to launch fleets of autonomous vehicles, introducing seniors the benefits of a fully autonomous transmission before Gen Z and Gen Y.
by Deborah Grieb, Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights
In a February 2020 report from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the US is predicted to total 6,590 for 2019 - an increase of more than 50% over the past decade and accounting for 17% of all traffic deaths. While there are several factors at play, the number of nighttime pedestrian fatalities has increased by 67% over the last 10 years (compared to 16% daytime pedestrian fatalities).
Source: AutoPacific 2019 New Vehicle Satisfaction Study
Source: AutoPacific 2019 New Vehicle Satisfaction Study
A Night Vision System allows drivers to see what (or who) is down the road -- even on the darkest nights.
According to AutoPacific’s 2019 New Vehicle Satisfaction Study, 36% of new vehicle owners want more safety features than they currently have in their vehicle. When asked about specific safety features wanted on their next new vehicle, Night Vision System ranks 9th among the 28 features surveyed, with 33% overall demand.
Night Vision System demand is strongest from those intending to purchase an SUV, women and new car buyers over age 50.
by Ed Kim, President and Chief Analyst
In follow-up to last week’s AutoPacific Insights, which looked at consumer demand for EVs and sales per nameplate, we take a closer look at what’s left after Tesla takes the lion’s share of sales.
Source: AutoPacific Q120 Light Vehicle Sales Forecast
Tesla currently holds 77% of the BEV market with 3 nameplates. AutoPacific’s 2025 forecast has Tesla holding 40% of an increased market with 5 nameplates. More for everyone else, right? Sort of.
Of the 85 nameplates that make up the 2025 BEV market, only 13 of them are forecast for volumes greater than 10k units, not including Tesla. Remove those 13 from the equation, and you’re left with 32% of the market to split between 67 nameplates. Simple math tells us that’s 3,600 units per nameplate.
Source: AutoPacific Q120 Light Vehicle Sales Forecast
Tesla is by far the leader in BEV sales, and is expected to remain the leader for years to come. Look for new entries from several automakers, including Rivian, Ford, Volkswagen and Chevrolet, to sell greater than 10,000 units.
The next few years will be a very exciting time for EV fans as there will be a massive amount of choice entering the market.
48% of new vehicle buyers want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on their next new vehicle, making it the twelfth most demanded feature surveyed in AutoPacific’s 2019 Future Attribute Demand Study.
by Deborah Grieb, Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights
Both exciting and practical, interior/exterior welcome lighting automatically illuminates as the driver approaches the vehicle.
Slightly over 40% of respondents would consider welcome lighting for their vehicles. Luxury brands and their luxury cars and SUVs/XSUVs are naturals for this feature. Additionally, top-of-the-line trims of mainstream brands would find this as an enhancement to up-level packages.
Think only older age groups are interested in having a quieter interior? Think again. 82% of new vehicle buyers say interior quietness was important to them while shopping (top 2 box) and 32% would like a quieter interior than what they currently have.