It is fair to say that the automotive industry is one of the quickest-changing industries out there. Every year something significant seems to have changed in the world of cars, and behind the scenes, marketers and manufacturers are constantly trying to innovate. What are some of the biggest changes we’re seeing in the industry, and the way cars are manufactured and sold?
A Focus on Electric
People know that the future of vehicles is not going to involve anywhere near as much fossil fuel, and a shift to electric and hybrid vehicles means that a lot of companies are focusing their marketing efforts on showing just how economically sound their cars are.
There are a number of approaches they can take in this respect, either showing just how good their cars are in terms of the miles per gallon rating, how they impact the environment, or just how whisper quiet the electric car technology is.
We don’t expect this trend to go away any time soon, and while electric cars are still relatively new, more and more automotive companies are committed to electric models.
A Story Behind The Car
Have you noticed how vehicle marketing is trying to sell you a story? An image of your life with the vehicle. This has always been the case to an extent, but instead of a focus on the speed of the car, the focus of marketing seems to be “adventure” as well as environmental benefits.
It is not enough for a car to just be reliable in the advertising campaign. It has to tie in with the perfect image of life you have created.
More Customization
People are constantly looking for more options to customize, and to feel that they have had an input in the configuration of their vehicle. This can range from a new set of custom wheels to interiors, or even what the multimedia system of the vehicle is like. You will notice more customization options than ever cropping up when you look into the prospect of purchasing your new car, and you can give it a feeling of being truly unique.
A Focus on Safety
We all know that cars can pose a risk, and people put a huge focus on safety as a selling point for vehicles. While all cars have to offer a certain level of safety features and functions, this is becoming more of a selling point, and you are likely to see brands make a big deal out of being voted “safest car” or including new safety features. A lot of these features rely on cameras and technology that didn’t exist in recent years.
Connectivity and Technology
In the age of the smart device, most people are looking for a vehicle that can support this. Your car can do so much more than just get you from A to B now. Did you know that Tesla cars include a Karaoke feature? This can be seen as something to keep you entertained, but it is actually quite a clever marketing gimmick. It gets people talking.
Newer cars are expected to be able to connect to your phone, but some can even bypass this, with the option to install apps directly onto a tablet or “stereo” that is now able to link to your phone, and even send messages. A focus on this sort of technology in marketing campaigns is becoming more and more common. It was the stuff of science fiction only 20 years ago, so it is easy to see why the marketing of vehicles is so keen to focus on these incredible new advancements.