Research shows that consumers want connected car technology, however, the car industry is struggling with issues associated with deployment.
In-vehicle technology/connected car tech was an important factor when buying a new vehicle within the past year for more 59% online U.S. consumers of driving age, according to research from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).CEA also found:
- 42% of those surveyed say they intend to purchase an in-vehicle technology device or accessory in the next 12 months while only 54% are satisfied with the technologies in their primary vehicles.
- Awareness of in-vehicle technologies is higher for OEM solutions versus aftermarket.
- 47% are interested in using apps designed for easier and safer use in-vehicle.
- Consumers favor devices that facilitate mobile use in the vehicle for increased safety and enjoyment, such as devices to connect smartphones and MP3 players to the vehicle, devices for hands-free use of smartphones and mounts to hold portable devices in a fixed, easily visible manner.
On the others side of the spectrum, Attendees at the Telematics Update’s Consumer Telematics Show this January found the biggest current challenges for the connected car to be:
- Software security (29% of respondents).
- Lack of monetization strategy (21%).
- Low customer awareness (14%).
- Dealership integration, human-machine interface (HMI) design and immature technology (each slightly over 7%).
53% of respondents said third-party Cloud servers posed the biggest threat and the rest pointed to the connected vehicle itself.
60% said ease of use was the most important factor and 29% singled out user experience as to important designing elements.
The overwhelming majority of respondents were of the opinion that the customers either don’t pay or that connected car services are included in the price of the vehicle.