The auto industry is an important part of the U.S. economy and has been for a long time. In
fact, a research paper published by the Center for Automotive Research in 2010 reported
that 4.5 percent of all jobs in the U.S. exist because of the strong presence of the auto
industry. A plan is needed to encourage consumers to see the benefit of buying a new car
instead of holding onto their money in an unsure economy. The plan needs to include the
actual features offered in a car along with better marketing and financing of car purchases.
The long-term impact of a successful plan could impact thousands of people.
Consumers want different features now in their cars than they did 5, 10 or 20 years ago
and research shows they are willing to purchase a car with the features they want.
Researchers at J.D. Powers and Associates found that consumers now expect additional
safety features, according to an article published in Tech Journal, online publication that
reports on technology in the southeast United States.
This kind of research is helpful in developing a plan to increase sales of cars in the U.S. If
we are hopeful of increasing the number of successful sales, we must know what features
the consumer wants in his or her new car.
The Tech Journal article reports that consumers have turned their attention to a wide range
of technology. There is a high interest in technology that relates to fuel economy and
infotainment.
The number one feature for fuel economy according to the research is an indicator on the
dash called a “fuel economy indicator”. Researchers asked about car features without
asking the consumers about the cost of such a feature. Interest dropped by the consumers
after they knew they had to pay a certain amount but still the fuel economy indicator was
number one. This device tells the driver how many miles per gallon the car is getting at
any moment of the drive.
Researchers also found that the increased use of smartphones has changed the features
expected in a car. The article stated, “Vehicle owners have high expectations for their
smartphone to easily integrate with the system in their vehicle.”
One area for driving safety that is just beginning to get notice is semi-autonomous driving.
Autonomous would mean the car could drive by itself. With semi-autonomous features, the
car will begin braking when an obstacle is in the way even before the driver reacts. These
