Navigating Change: Technology megatrends in the connected-car age

[Whitepaper excerpt | April 2017]

Evolutionary and revolutionary technologies continue to affect the automotive industry. Connected cars have made a major impact, but an "always connected" environment is still forming, with existing uses and important new applications entering the market at every turn. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) compose just a fraction of the industry today but are destined to have a major effect in the next decade as battery prices decline and these vehicles become more competitive versus combustion engine vehicles. BEVs also have allowed start-up companies to enter the auto industry without mastering combustion engine technology, and more are on the way—especially in China or with Chinese investment.

Autonomous driving has evolved as tremendous technology advances have entered the market, both from large venture capital firms and veteran auto industry suppliers and manufacturers. Future deployment of driverless vehicle fleets will have a dramatic influence on the transportation industry, including mobility as a service and how this will impact personal mobility needs. Both start-ups and auto companies are preparing for these major changes and what they will mean for the industry.