Sensor fusion that combines information from various sources improves safety and autonomy by enabling accurate decision-making. Indian startup ThinkSeed develops middleware solutions that enhance smartphone connectivity to vehicles for secure access and infotainment. Its product, THINKey, transforms smartphones into digital keys that allow users to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles.
Inside the architecture: How software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms are built
Overlanding, a newer trend, combines off-roading with remote travel and camping, with products like mounted tents falling under this category. As per the traditional method, we used to visit the dealer and purchase vehicles from him, and the dealer used to make transactions with OEMs. However, as per the new Agency model, we will get to see that the people would directly be dealing with the OEMs and the dealer’s profit would be shared by OEMs. That will enhance in gaining the trust of society and the brand’s potential customers. Consumers thoroughly research their preferred car on their mobile phones, searching for the best offers and dealerships in their area. Therefore, websites must be easily readable and accessible on mobile devices, with clear calls to action.
Innovation Map outlines the Top 10 Auto Trends & 20 Promising Startups
After the pandemic, we developed a habit of shifting all requirements to online methods, and so do goes with the automobile industry. Our new generation which is called millennials or Genz researches everything online before the actual purchase. Consumer trends in the automotive industry reveal that short videos are more effective than text in converting leads into customers in the automotive industry.
🤖 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates and Personalized Driving Experiences
Further, Chipv creates power control chips equipped with triple RISC-V cores, extensive on-chip memory, and robust hardware security modules. In the US, the CHIPS and Science Act allocates USD 52.7 billion in funding and offers a 25% investment tax credit. It provides grants, loans, and incentives to expand domestic fabs, semiconductor R&D, and the broader supply chain.
Waymo’s Autonomous Cars: A Look at the Future of Transportation in Los Angeles
Many of those trends will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas. Honda will be showing its Series 0 platform that will be used for its SAE Level 4 driverless car in 2026. Recent auto trends show that customers prefer to experience a car or dealership before purchasing. Top car brands are embracing VR as part of their dealership photography strategies to further enhance the customer experience. Due to these advancements, the global automotive IoT market is anticipated to reach USD 56 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 19% during the period from 2021 to 2026.
🚗 The Road Ahead: A Brief History of Automotive Evolution
Curious how electric vehicle trends like solar integration, AI-powered systems, and modular design are innovating mobility? This report explores the top 10 electric vehicle trends shaping the industry in 2026. Discover how these shifts improve charging, safety, and sustainability and what they mean for your business.
Latest Trends in the Automotive Industry (2025-
- Key automotive industry trends include a significant rise in electric vehicle production, a growing market for pre-owned vehicles, and an uptick in digital car sales.
- Europe is projected to reach a 20.4% market share, while the US is likely to reach 11.2%.
- Further, high-speed automotive Ethernet, 5G networks, and V2X communication extend a car’s perception beyond its line of sight.
- The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) “Levels of Driving Automation” standard shows how stages of vehicle automation progress.
- Autonomous driving technology is one of the automotive industry’s most exciting and potentially disruptive developments.
- It does so to preserve their heritage design and deliver zero-emission performance.
- This tech shift is also accelerating the move toward software-defined vehicles and connected ecosystems.
- 2025 is predicted to be a big year for self-driving taxi services, as companies look to re-imagine the future of the automotive and taxi-hailing industry.
It also supports this process by integrating buybacks, residual value calculations, and automated stock analysis. The automotive industry is one of the most severely affected by supply chain disruptions. Currently, its greatest challenge is uncertainty and instability, which are expected to persist this year. Hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular—they combine electric power with the reliability of a combustion engine. Compared to EVs, they don’t require charging, but at the same time reduce carbon emissions.
Autonomous Driving: The Road to a Self-Driving Future
It is also integrated into fleet management dashboards and security operations centers (SOC). US-based startup MotionSafe provides AI-powered cybersecurity solutions that protect connected vehicles from data breaches and cyber threats. By securing these systems, cybersecurity prevents hijacking of steering or braking functions, protects sensitive driver data, and shields automakers from costly recalls and reputational harm. Motoreto strengthens supply chain resilience in the auto industry and drives nearshoring by aligning distribution, procurement, and sales with regional market needs. The startup enables dealerships, fleet managers, and manufacturers to manage inventory strategically.
Procon Analytics builds Automotive Finance
On the other side of the globe, in Asia, China has implemented a landmark energy policy, aptly named the ‘Energy Law’, as of January 2025. The law emphasises a cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels, placing a higher emphasis on sustainability and developing renewable energy infrastructures. This comes as China continues to make their presence known in the global EV scene, with ramped-up production and dominance in the international EV market.
Tree Map reveals the Impact of the Top 10 Auto Industry Trends
Moreover, Avvenire has a strategic agreement with Daymak International Inc., Canada’s leading LEV distributor. Daymak will assemble Avvenire’s vehicles and distribute them through its network of over 200 dealers in 25 countries. Further, as part of larger decarbonization efforts, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the contribution of EVs to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- This transformation has further streamlined the vehicle architecture, facilitating over-the-air software updates, more efficient management, and lowering overall complexity.
- For instance, Planet42 extends access to underbanked consumers in South Africa and Mexico.
- Likewise, projects USD billion in annual software and services revenue by 2030 from connected vehicles.
- The Automotive Trends & Startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation & startup scouting process.
- Voice search assistants help optimize interfaces for advertisements and voice search queries.
- Road safety, regulatory mandates, autonomous vehicle adoption, and smart city development drive this innovation.
- EVs typically use 2-3 times more semiconductor content than internal combustion engine models, and in powertrain-specific components, that multiplier is possibly higher.
The AI system answers the driver’s query by cross-referencing data from the car’s diagnostics. It instantly generates a detailed explanation of the issue along with potential solutions. These tools equip dealerships to handle inquiries efficiently, thus freeing time for other important tasks.
Vehicle Cybersecurity
Owing to these advancements, the global SDV market is set to reach USD 3.3 trillion by 2034, growing at 31.2% annually. Also, GPS and V2X connectivity improve fleet distribution and service reliability. Telematics and IoT sensors monitor vehicle condition and enable predictive maintenance. For instance, Planet42 extends access to underbanked consumers in South Africa VIN report as part of your negotiation file and Mexico. Additionally, the startup offers features such as platooning algorithms for safe and efficient vehicle grouping.
EVIE Autonomous produces Autonomous Shuttles
Also, advanced composites and recycled inputs reduce reliance on virgin resources. Sustainable manufacturing lowers emissions, which allows automakers to meet compliance requirements and reduce their environmental footprint. Cleaner production methods reduce operating costs and free resources for reinvestment in new technologies.
The Starkenn Brake Safe, a collision mitigation system features automatic emergency braking in critical scenarios. AI-powered semiconductors drive transformation in autonomous driving systems by enabling real-time communication with road infrastructure and enhancing safety features such as emergency braking systems. Tesla’s relentless drive to expand its global gigafactory network has been a defining feature of 2024. This article dives into the company’s ambitious production targets, including the development of Gigafactory Mexico and its innovative approaches to battery cell technology. By streamlining its supply chain through vertical integration, Tesla is raising the bar for EV production efficiency and sustainability.
- In addition to electrification, hydrogen fuel cell technology is gaining traction as a potential solution for zero-emission transportation.
- It instantly generates a detailed explanation of the issue along with potential solutions.
- These all-inclusive options reduce the financial burdens of ownership, especially for urban users.
- The number of autonomous trucks on the road was expected to increase from roughly 150 in 2020 to over 2000 in 2021.
- The continued global expansion of various players will require a strategic focus on supply chain efficiencies and may bring transformation and consolidation in the industry.
- For this in-depth research on the Top Automotive Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 6000+ global startups & scaleups.
- The startup also offers META, a compact shuttle for urban mobility; and SPACE for passenger transportation.
- Toyota continues to emphasize hybrids as a critical part of its electrification strategy.
- NVIDIA’s DRIVE Thor, for instance, offers up to 2000 TOPS of AI inference performance.
b. Regulatory and Legal Challenges
This is not just a European problem with Volkswagen and Stellantis, as Honda and Nissan merge, and Ford and General Motors struggle. Software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where software manages essential functions like steering, braking, and infotainment, will see rapid growth over the next few years. SDVs are more efficient and safer and can be updated with the latest technologies through software, keeping them up to date in a constantly evolving industry. The big data market in automotive is growing, with a projected market size of USD 5.92 billion in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 16.78% to reach USD 12.86 billion by 2029. Startups are developing big data solutions to help manufacturers and related industries streamline operations and maximize profits.
It’s estimated that to meet many of these net-zero emission goals, EVs will have to climb to at least half of all new car sales by 2050. Countries and states that have committed to phasing out the sale of internal combustion engines. By the end of that decade, it’s predicted that over 30% of the cars on the road will be EVs. The massive rotation in the global vehicle fleet is predicted to take place in the 2030s. Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects EVs to account for 10% of all new car sales by 2025 and 58% by 2040. After a disappointing 2019 in terms of EV sales, 2020 sales surpassed expectations, growing over 40% year-over-year.
It incorporates an intuitive infotainment system for efficient power management while minimizing driver distractions. The control system includes safeguards like automatic overheating prevention, battery depletion protection, and real-time torque and speed calibration for optimal performance on challenging terrains. The Asia-Pacific region currently controls the majority of the market due to the strong uptake of electric cars (EVs) in countries like China, India, and Japan.