Boomers Want to Stay Connected to the Cars They Buy

cashreflectionhyundaiIDC conducted a new connected car survey that shows people’s opinions about connected cars with a surprise.  Baby Boomers aka Boomers like to have connections in cars for phone conversations and applications.

  • Almost 50% of consumers consider it vital to have access to a phone in the vehicle
  • About 40% consider it vital to access apps such as navigation and music while in the vehicle.
  • 25% of all consumers consider it vital to utilize the phone for business when in the vehicle, almost half of the Boomer population (consumers between the ages of 45 and 65) consider it vital to access the phone in the vehicle for business and applications.
  • People don’t want to have to pay for connected services, but would pay a nominal fee.
  • 75% prefer access in-vehicle services through their existing mobile device, maintaining their “digital identity”.
  • Most consumers (two-thirds) would prefer their existing mobile service provider for emergency and other in-vehicle services, when they have a choice.
  • 35%of consumers believe connected and emergency services should be included free with the vehicle, but 50% of consumers find $24-60 per year a reasonable price range to pay for the services.
  • People think it’s important to access the phone in the vehicle but also want to maintain their “digital identity” by connecting their current device

Yes, Boomers have a strong connected identity beyond personal use.  IDC claims that it is a significant finding because Boomers continue to have the majority of “buying power” today for large investments such as homes and vehicles.

However, IDC Manufacturing Insights asserts that an insufficient amount of consumer research has been performed by auto makers to focus on what people want.

Auto makers efforts made thus far may suffer from low adoption.

Other study findings include:

to the vehicl, noted  IDC Manufacturing Insights’ Connected Vehicle Strategies research. ”

Future cars will most likely have in-head “infotainment” systems, with hands-free communication and apps for services, information,  music and navigation.

However, despite the need for and consumer interest in connected vehicle functionality, IDC Manufacturing Insights predicts adoption, via new vehicle model purchases, will continue to be slow.