Automakers and the automotive supplier community have traditionally excelled in designing and engineering vehicles and their mechanical components. However, over the last decade and a half, the automotive industry has become inextricably linked to the tech world, as many of the latest innovations are outside the traditional realm of powertrains, chassis, and design. An automaker’s success today is heavily dependent on the ability to bring tech innovations to market in ways that are relevant to today’s new vehicle consumer.

The automotive industry is entering a time of significant change due to the enactment of tariffs that will affect vehicle pricing and production, sales volumes, and more. A new survey finds that consumers are in fact concerned about the effect of implemented tariffs on the cost of living and the economy, and many intend to make some changes to their future big purchase plans. The survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. residents ages 18 and older specifically sheds light into the impact of tariffs on vehicle purchase plans, revealing that 75% of respondents who said they plan to purchase a vehicle within the next year will change those plans in some way, whether it be choosing a cheaper vehicle or waiting until things are more stable, if vehicle prices rise.

‘AutoPacific’s Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS) measures consumer demand for 163 features, including 13 ADAS features such as Emergency Evasive Steering Assist and Unresponsive Driver Stop Assist. When looking at consumer demand for these features over the past few years, AutoPacific has noticed that demand has become quite stagnant, which begs the questions, why and what can automakers do to increase this demand?

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas was, as always, a spectacle of amazing new technological developments that boggle the mind. Of course, the AutoPacific team was on site to cover the latest automotive technology developments. There were clear themes that dominated automotive at CES, and best of all, AutoPacific’s studies, data, and services provide strong and actionable insights on all of these themes.

According to data from AutoPacific’s recent EV Consumer Insights Study, political identity is still factor in electric vehicle (EV) ownership, but it may be becoming less of a factor for future EV acceptance. Our study of over 12,000 EV owners, acceptors and rejectors was conducted in June 2024 and investigates consumer sentiment regarding EVs, from ownership reasons to rejection reasons, including the role of cost, charging, the environment, and politics. EVs continue to appeal to a larger and more mainstream.

More than half of replacement tire buyers know what brand they plan to purchase before they go to the tire retailer, according to AutoPacific’s recently completed U.S. Replacement Tire Buyer Study. Up 9%pts from 47% in 2019 to 56% in 2024, the study also reveals an increase in time from the start of shopping to actual purchase, indicating consumers are doing more research prior to taking that final step. The study was conducted in July 2024 and consists of nearly 7,000 vehicle owners who reside in the U.S. and replaced one or more tires within the previous 12 months from one of 25 surveyed brands.

The bigger, the better when it comes to in-vehicle screens for new vehicles – at least that’s the direction many automakers are heading. In the recently released 2024 Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS) conducted by noted automotive market research and consulting firm AutoPacific, consumer demand for in-vehicle screens was measured – from a simple passenger side infotainment screen to full width infotainment displays with passenger-specific functionality, windshield base displays and having the ability to use the screen to purchase products, technologies and vehicle upgrades.

AutoPacific’s 2024 edition of its respected Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS) has been released, and the study shows comfort and convenience features at the top of new vehicle shoppers’ wish lists. The annual nationwide study contains responses from over 14,900 licensed drivers in the U.S. who intend to acquire a new vehicle within the next three years. Respondents were asked a range of questions from what brands they will consider for their next new vehicle to what type of vehicle and powertrain they intend to acquire and most importantly, what features they want to have in that vehicle.

There are currently no Chinese vehicle brands for sale in the U.S., but what if there were? In a recent survey issued by AutoPacific, nearly half of respondents said they are familiar with Chinese vehicle brands and about 35% of respondents said they would consider (definitely or maybe) purchasing a new vehicle from a Chinese brand. The results are part of our bi-monthly Fuel Price Impact Survey, issued to a proprietary panel of vehicle owners in the U.S. The survey yielded responses from nearly 800 respondents aged 18-80 who were asked a unique set of questions about Chinese-brand vehicles and privacy concerns. 

Over half of new vehicle intenders who aren’t already intending to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) say they would consider purchasing one in the near future, according to AutoPacific’s most recent EV Consumer Insights Study. The finding is part of a large study designed to help the automotive industry navigate through the vast consumer sentiment regarding EVs. We know widespread adoption of EVs in the U.S. is a huge challenge. One of our goals with this study, and much of our syndicated study work, is to focus on the future and to understand the potential for turning EV rejectors into acceptors.”

The ways auto insurance premiums are determined are evolving quickly. Even consumers with driving records clear of accidents and citations may be shocked as their policy rates rise significantly this year. As recent news reports have brought to the public eye, many automakers are partaking in a revenue-generating practice that’s escalating concerns about privacy: the monitoring and sharing of one’s driving behavior with their customers’ insurance companies, in some cases without the customer opting in. Aggressive acceleration, panic braking, and turbulent steering are all actions for which data can be recorded and shipped off to insurance companies to decide on a consequence. But what if this practice could be executed to benefit, not penalize the consumer?

With automakers prioritizing connectivity and exploring new ways to generate revenue after the point of sale, consumers are becoming more interested in the ability to purchase items or services directly from a vehicle’s center infotainment screen. This feature isn’t necessarily “new.” Over the past decade, automakers have tried testing the waters with in-vehicle marketplaces but to the reception of little actual interest among consumers. However, recent breakthroughs in screen sizes and intuitive software with over-the-air updates, and a booming e-commerce scene have prompted automakers to give this feature another go. AutoPacific research has seen demand for the ability to purchase products, technologies, and vehicle upgrades directly from a center infotainment screen grow by 8% pts YoY. We predict that figure to continue to rise.

Current public charging stations for electric vehicles are far from meeting consumer wants and expectations. According to data from AutoPacific’s recent EV Consumer Insights Study, future EV consumers have a long list of charging station attributes that are important to them. From easy-to-see and read charging speed and pricing signage to offering additional basic vehicle care services like windshield cleaner, air pumps for filling tires, and vacuums, future EV consumers would like a public charging experience that more closely mirrors traditional gasoline fueling stations.

AutoPacific’s recent trip to CES 2024, perhaps the largest and most significant showcase for breakthrough technologies in the world, shed light on the future for several features included in the market research and consulting firm’s annual Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). Our annual survey of over 11,700 new vehicle intenders measures demand for 138 vehicle features and technologies, many of which are soon-to-be, or very newly available on select vehicles sold in the U.S.