A positive attitude to motoring
THE JOY OF DRIVING
The practical aspects of cars in no way detract from the pleasure of driving them. Quite the opposite, in fact. 7 out of 10 young people confirm this point, while just 2 out of 10 view driving as a chore (Fig. 8). And this enjoyment has stood the test of time, since 8 out of 10 young people surveyed in 2011 had declared their fondness for driving. The Chinese and Turks are the most enthusiastic, in contrast to the Japanese, whose enjoyment is less apparent. Men, inhabitants of big cities, couples with children and EV drivers all seem to share this passion for motoring.
CARS ARE SEEING THEIR IMAGE IMPROVE
As we have just ascertained, cars are a source of pleasure, but they also enjoy a positive image overall. One of the most surprising findings of this survey is that, despite the received wisdom regarding cars and young people, 1 in 2 under-30s believe that the image they have of cars has improved over the last five years. Only 14% report that it has worsened. This is in stark contrast to the views expressed by seniors, more than half of whom have not changed their opinion (Fig. 9). Another finding that may seem surprising is that this image boost is more apparent in cities than in rural areas, no doubt due to the growing presence of electric and hybrid vehicles, not to mention traffic restrictions. Looking at the geographical breakdown, the Chinese and Turks once again express the most enthusiasm, while the French are among the most reserved on this point.
LIFE WITHOUT A CAR IS UNIMAGINABLE
So how about living without a car? Most young people struggle to see how they could. 6 in 10 don’t see it as a possibility. However, it should be noted that this proportion has fallen significantly since 2011. It is also slightly lower than the figure for seniors (Fig. 10).
The French and Americans are the most resistant to the idea. Paradoxically, the Chinese and Turks, but also the Poles, are somewhat less reticent.
Not surprisingly, the prospect of a car-free life is more appealing to urban dwellers than to those based in rural areas.
