From electrified powertrains and smarter vehicle
technology to muscle cars, customization and classic-car
culture, today's automotive world is changing faster than
ever.
Cars have always reflected the technology, culture and
priorities of their time. Horsepower wars gave way to
fuel economy. Carburetors gave way to fuel injection.
Analog dashboards became digital displays. Today,
another major shift is underway.
Drivers now have more choices than ever: gasoline,
hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
At the same time, software, connectivity and
driver-assistance systems are becoming just as important
to new-car development as engines, transmissions and
suspension.
But one thing hasn't changed: people still want vehicles
that fit their lives, their budgets and their
personalities.
The Big Picture
Four Trends Shaping Cars Right Now
Powertrains
More Ways to Power a Car
The market is no longer simply gasoline versus
electric. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids give drivers
additional choices while traditional gasoline
vehicles remain important across many segments.
Technology
The Car Is Becoming a Computer
More vehicle functions are controlled by software.
Infotainment, navigation, battery management,
drive modes and some performance features can
increasingly be changed or improved through software.
Safety
Driver Assistance Keeps Expanding
Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring,
lane assistance, adaptive cruise control and
sophisticated camera systems are becoming familiar
parts of modern driving.
Car Culture
Enthusiast Cars Still Matter
Technology may change rapidly, but enthusiasm for
muscle cars, classics, off-road machines,
performance builds and personalized vehicles
remains strong.
Gas • Hybrid • Electric
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Powertrain
Automotive headlines sometimes make it sound as though one
type of vehicle is about to replace every other type.
Real-world drivers are more complicated than that.
A commuter with home charging may have very different needs
from someone who tows a trailer, drives long rural
distances, restores an older vehicle or simply wants an
affordable used car.
Gasoline
Familiar, widely supported and still important for
millions of drivers and enthusiasts.
Hybrid
Combines an internal-combustion engine with electric
assistance to improve efficiency.
Electric
Offers quiet operation, instant torque and a growing
range of choices as battery technology develops.
Connected Cars
Software Is Changing What a Car Can Do
For generations, buying a car meant its major features were
essentially fixed the day it left the factory. That idea is
changing.
Modern vehicles increasingly use computers and connected
software to control entertainment, climate systems, battery
management and driver-assistance technology.
Over-the-Air Updates
Software fixes and feature improvements can sometimes
be delivered remotely.
Smarter Infotainment
Navigation, voice control, phone integration and
connected services continue to improve.
Driver Assistance
Cameras, radar and software increasingly work
together to help drivers detect hazards.
Digital Ownership
Apps can provide vehicle status, charging
information, remote start and maintenance reminders.
Style Still Matters
Drivers Still Want Cars With Personality
Technology gets much of the attention, but design still
sells cars. Wheels, stance, body shape, lighting, interior
materials and color continue to influence how drivers feel
about a vehicle.
Customization remains part of that story too. Some owners
want a completely original restoration. Others want modern
brakes, suspension, wheels, lighting or electronics wrapped
in classic styling.
Classic Cars Aren't Going Anywhere
New technology doesn't erase old car culture. In many
ways, it makes classic automobiles even more
interesting.
Analog gauges, mechanical controls, distinctive engine
sounds and recognizable body designs remind us how much
the automobile has changed.
The newest car may have more technology — but the
car that makes you turn around for one more look
still wins a special place in the garage.
