Skip to main content

Rise of smart cities spawns market for smart vehicle technology in the US

According to recent research by Frost & Sullivan, there is a palpable reorientation of purchasing habits among American citizens as the country continues its march toward urbanism. In the future, 85 percent of the country’s population is anticipated to live in urban areas, while North America could see the emergence of three mega cities, eleven mega regions, and seven smart cities by 2025. One of the biggest gainers of this massive-scale urbanisation is the automotive industry, particularly autonomous drivi
November 15, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
According to recent research by 2097 Frost & Sullivan, there is a palpable reorientation of purchasing habits among American citizens as the country continues its march toward urbanism. In the future, 85 percent of the country’s population is anticipated to live in urban areas, while North America could see the emergence of three mega cities, eleven mega regions, and seven smart cities by 2025. One of the biggest gainers of this massive-scale urbanisation is the automotive industry, particularly autonomous driving technologies, as there will be high demand for increased connectivity among vehicles and roadway infrastructure for better road safety. In addition, people over the age of 65 will account for 20 percent of the population and constitute one of the largest consumer groups with specific transportation needs.

The research, New Mega Trends in the US Automotive Sector, analyses ten emerging mega trends, taking into account new population patterns and purchasing habits. These mega trends will drive growth and innovation in the field of mobility in the United States, and this analysis provides insights into the business opportunities that arise from these trends.

Connectivity is set to trend in vehicular technology due to the escalating demand for seamless navigation, 6224 Telematics, and entertainment. In the US, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology is poised to take off in a big way between 2015 and 2020, and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology is expected to follow suit between 2020 and 2025.

Cities can potentially contribute approximately US$1.1 trillion to the US gross domestic product by catering to the demand for intelligent and smart City technologies, such as integrated door-to-door solutions, interoperable technology networks, and intelligent transport city solutions.

By 2020, the US is likely to have nearly 270 million internet users and be home to more than 50 per cent of consumer satellite broadband internet users globally. Unlike Europe, North American original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers are pursuing digitisation models through existing stores.

"It is forecast that by 2025, 20 percent of global retailing will be conducted through online channels," said Frost & Sullivan mega trends research Analyst Shwetha Surender. "By 2015, more than 50 per cent of global new car sales will be influenced by the Web, online promotions, online research, the virtual showroom experience, and online purchasing."

Therefore, the industry is making significant investments in updating store technology, staff training, and digitally integrating various aspects of the car retailing process. Although they are investing in in-store tools, such as tablets and kiosks, the spotlight is firmly on the utilisation and recalibration of off-store digital media such as websites, apps, and social media.

"The evolution of a bricks-and-clicks model is changing the way most industries retail," noted Surender. "However, it is most evident in the luxury market, where premium automotive OEMs are taking a more digital approach to car retailing."

Eventually, the United States is expected to lead in the smart transport market in North America and is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming the world's largest real-world tester of smart-vehicles.

Related Content

  • Automotive OEMs ‘prefer a hybrid approach to power C-ITS’
    May 25, 2017
    The growing demand for road safety and efficient mobility is driving the adoption of cooperative intelligent transportation solutions (C-ITS) and a key enabler of C-ITS is Vehicle-to-X (V2X) communication, says Frost & Sullivan. It supports the exchange of information between vehicles, infrastructure and other road users, such as pedestrians. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication is enabled using 802.11p (DSRC or ITS-G5) or cellular technology. 802.11p is a proven technology; however, it is not future proo
  • Web conference - impact of big data on the automotive industry
    December 3, 2013
    Frost & Sullivan is organising a web conference, entitled Impact of Big Data on the Automotive Industry, on Tuesday, 10 December 2013, at 3.00 pm GMT. Frost & Sullivan program manager, Niranjan Manohar and global practice director Automotive & Transportation, Sarwant Singh, will discuss emerging trends and opportunities for the big data automotive industry. Participants in this web conference will learn about key big data features and services, understand community, technological and other related chal
  • Smart mobility on the rise, says ABI Research
    May 10, 2016
    As extreme pollution and congestion in urban areas coupled with limited transportation options continues to challenge major cities across the globe, market intelligence firm ABI Research, predicts an imminent rise in smart electric mobility. Data analysis forecasts global electric vehicle revenue will hit US$58 billion in 2021, more than five times its market value in 2015. "The role of vehicle electrification in urban areas is part of a broader smart mobility model that includes shared vehicles, chargi
  • Key trends and forecasts for the North American and Latin American automotive navigation and telematics services
    July 19, 2012
    According to a new report from Frost & Sullivan, the North and Latin American automotive navigation markets are on the cusp of a shift to connected navigation systems that offer real-time traffic information and local searching options. Navigation systems, whether by original equipment (OE) fitment, aftermarket, or portable navigation device (PND), are feeling the heat of competition from smartphone-based navigation applications. Low-cost smartphone replication technologies are helping navigation markets br