Speeding Into 2018: Auto Industry Predictions

With 2018 quickly approaching, here are a few of our key predictions for auto industry growth in the coming year.

It’s hard to believe that 2018 is just around the corner. But as 2017 comes to a close, it’s important for auto manufacturers, sellers, and insurers to take a look back at 2017’s industry advancements, and where those may take us in the coming year.

Fortunately, we’ve already done the research for you. Here are some of the top trends poised to have a huge impact on the auto industry in 2018.

New technology will give the aging population extended mobility.

For past generations, remaining on the road while technology sped up around them was a scary prospect. Now, new technology—like autonomous cars—will give aging drivers more freedom and safety than those before. ‘Ultimately, the baby boomer car would drive itself,’ said Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds, in a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune. ‘It’s about mobility and to give this generation increased freedom. It’s really fantastic, something generations before never thought possible. When we talk to boomers, they’re really excited to see what’s to come and will be useful to them.’

In-vehicle infotainment systems will become commonplace.

While you’re likely still connecting your smartphone each time you get in the car, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI)—systems that deliver information and entertainment content—will soon be introduced to the mainstream. With integrated IVI, vehicles will deliver more personalized information for controlling music, navigation, and web browsing. It’ll also allow for increased connectivity capabilities, with even air conditioning and power windows available via voice command, moving the in-vehicle experience toward a hands-free future.

Predictive analytics will decrease service needs.

As consumers become more comfortable sharing driving data, auto industry providers will be able to tap into these findings to predict potential issues, letting drivers attend to repairs before they become a problem. This will make service providers even more valuable to consumers, as what used to be a weeklong repair process would become a single-day service tune-up…if caught early on.

As auto technology continues its advance, 2018 is sure to bring still more impactful changes for both consumers and industry providers. From IVI to proactive service analytics, these advances will make the future of personal transportation more accessible and enjoyable.

Want to learn more about recent auto industry enhancements? Check out our recent deep dive into auto telematics!.