Connection Drives Consideration

Connected vehicle technology is becoming the norm, especially for younger American drivers.

A new survey by Verra Mobility Corporation found that 72% of drivers expect their next vehicle to “function like a smartphone, with apps and services built in.”

The services that consumers valued most included:

• Their vehicle proactively offering trip suggestions such as locating parking, fuel or charging stations, and handling toll transactions
• Not having to connect a smartphone every time they get in the vehicle
• The vehicle automatically paying for tolls and parking

“The story of this year’s survey is that consumers have arrived at the connected vehicle category, and they’re bringing real expectations with them,” said Verra Mobility vice president of innovation Cathi Chinn.

And those expectations are driving their purchasing decisions. Fifty-one percent of survey respondents said connected features would influence their decision to buy a different make, model, or higher trim level.

But trust in the data sharing required for connected services is a major consideration for drivers. Fifty-four percent of respondents expressed at least some concern about vehicle data collection processes. And only 14% said they fully understand what data their vehicle collects.

Despite this concern, 54% of drivers said they already use at least one manufacturer-provided connected service. But that number varies based on age demographics. Sixty-seven percent of the youngest generation of buyers, aged 18-24, actively use at least one connected service. Meanwhile, only 44% of buyers aged 55-64 reported the same usage.

Generation Z also had the highest rate of respondents who said that connected features would influence their vehicle purchase and that the concept of an in-vehicle digital wallet is appealing.