Indicators that point to schisms in the automotive world
A CLEAR DICHOTOMY BETWEEN WESTERN AND EMERGING COUNTRIES
Regarding the Car Use Now indicator, traditional car use is holding up rather well in Western nations. Italy, Poland, France, Portugal, Spain and the United States post indicators that are above or equal to the average. In last place in the ranking, China scores almost half as low as Italy, which comes top (3.3 vs. 6.2). It is worth noting the lowly positions in the ranking of Germany and the United Kingdom, despite their longstanding automotive traditions.
A completely different picture appears if we look at the indicators relating to the current or potential adoption of new automobility solutions, with the emerging countries leading the way. By posting the highest scores for the Car Use New and Car Use Next indicators, China confirms its status as a laboratory for the future of motoring (2.9 and 3.5). It is also no surprise, as we have consistently seen throughout the survey, that Turkey, Brazil and South Africa are not too far behind, with very similar scores.
Less predictable is the fact that the United States is the next country in the ranking behind this quartet. Although they live in a country of wide open spaces and mobility par excellence, Americans demonstrate their ability to adapt to this changing product and adjust their way of life accordingly, without necessarily being willing to give it up. It is interesting to see France, Italy, Belgium and Germany still flying the flag for the old continent’s traditional motoring values.
These countries are rooted to the bottom of the rankings in terms of these two indicators, pointing to a certain reluctance to accept change.
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