The technological age of this day has brought about changes in all fields of life, from medicine to technology and from computing to robotics. The automotive industry is no exception. With the introduction of blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), this industry has seen a lot of shifts and advancements over the last decade.

The digitalization of technology is what has affected the automotive industry the most. Although the automotive industry seems mostly mechanical in nature, digitalization has disrupted and revolutionized it to a great extent. In fact, several companies in the automotive sector are of the view that this digitalization trend has made the processes more ‘agile’ and ‘innovative’.

The trends shaping the automotive industry are quite similar to the ones shaping other industries, such as innovation, digitalization, and technological advancements. However, one thing that has led to these trends is the horde of problems affecting the automotive sector such as the need for faster and more efficient transport, rising oil prices, and travel restrictions.

Let’s take a look at some of the trends to watch out for in the coming years in the automotive industry.

A Shift in Technology and Consumer Demand

Just as technology has now taken over everything, it has affected the automotive industry as well. With the rise of connected devices, innovative and agile processes, B2B collaboration, and a user-centric approach, technology is expected to affect this industry in the near future as well.

Not long ago, the automotive industry was more about aerodynamics, greater comfort, and powerful engines. But with the introduction of IoT and AI technology, innovation has taken over, combined with shifting consumer demands. With this shift in demands comes the need to conserve more. This is why the automotive industry is now offering solutions related to greener cars, driving assistance, more energy-efficient engines, public transport, autonomous driving, and smarter infrastructure in order to fill the growing needs of the consumer.

A Consumer-Centric Approach

With the shifts in technology comes the need to satisfy consumer demands. This is why one of the trends likely to affect the automotive industry is the adoption of the consumer-centric approach. Many automotive companies are now changing their production and marketing strategies through digitalization as well as the latest consumer feedback. This shift is likely to occur owing to the problems of traffic and pollution, which is common, especially in big cities.

A change in Sales and Marketing Strategy

As a consumer-centric approach takes hold, companies in the automotive industry are likely to undertake a complete revamp of their marketing and sales strategies. Where previously the sales and marketing of vehicles were only made through physical promotion channels, the digital world has shifted that promotion by a great deal into the virtual world. This may be partly because the conventional methods were failing to attract the customers of today.

For instance, FIAT’s CIO states how automotive trends are emerging from the IT sectors in recent times. These automotive trends are due to the fact that the IT department is fueling growth through innovation in production as well as advertisement, by digitalizing its showrooms. With changes like these in the innovation culture of the firms, the approach to marketing and sales of the automotive industry has changed and is likely to keep changing in the future. That’s where automotive localization services can be of great assistance!

Agility in Innovation

The IT department of an automotive company is an integral part of the whole company ecosystem as it sets the approaches to take in the production, design, and promotion of automotive vehicles. Coupled with an innovative culture and a consumer-centric approach, this IT department can pave the way for a successful globalization strategy for a company. In addition, an ‘agile mindset’ works wonders for the innovative culture in the firm, helping the company to experiment and grow beyond the conventional and old methods. This is a trend that must be observed by automotive companies for the future as agility in innovation is the key driver of staying competitive in the global automotive market.

A Growth in Partnership

Every unique problem demands a unique solution. This holds true for the automotive industry as well. With the rise in competition, the partnership is the absolute buzzword for this industry. Partnerships between start-ups, major companies, and local governments can aid in the adoption of a more customer-centric approach as well as innovation. This points out the need to have a collaborative strategy to solve complex problems.

For instance, as the future unfolds, autonomous cars are likely to replace the cars of today when a person will be both a passenger and a driver at the same time. The need of the hour at that time would be the availability of displays and entertainment inside the car (also termed as infotainment) as well as safety features. These both things require high data communication which is only possible through partnerships and collaborations amongst the different stakeholders involved in the automotive industry. Additionally, a collaboration strategy with the central and local governments will pave the way for overcoming future challenges for the companies in the automotive sector.

The Age of Connectivity

Another buzzword that is likely to change the future of the automotive industry is connectivity. In order to create a safe autonomous experience, lots of high-speed connections should be established in future cars. These speedy connections include displays of 3K-4K videos in real-time as well as internet connections. In addition to that, connectivity should be established between EVs and digitalization measures which are the leading drivers of innovation in this industry. This connectivity can also be used to collect data for public transport, parking, traffic, and environmental issues in urban areas.

The Rise of Autonomous and Electrical Vehicles

The new age of technology is likely to bring a lot of changes in the way cars are designed and there is no doubt that the future belongs to autonomous and electrical vehicles. Some companies are of the view that consumer of the future wants green cars which don’t need fossil fuels in order to operate. As the new age demands a focus on the climate crisis, it is imperative that a green solution should be established for the automotive industry in addition to a new ecosystem that is driven by AI technology. Moreover, AI and trade can trigger these changes in the future much faster than in the past.

The Last Word

With the advent of technology, the future of the automotive industry is likely to see some huge changes. This is the reason why companies should keep abreast of all the changes that are forecasted for the future. With the right technology, partnership, and collaboration, these companies can hope to achieve a holistic globalization strategy that will only propel them into a successful global position in the highly competitive market.

Read Also: Mechanical / Automotive Translation