NVIDIA’s DRIVE Thor, for instance, offers up to 2000 TOPS of AI inference performance. It enables sensor fusion and control for advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving. Luxury car brands are experiencing growth due to increased tangible luxury offerings and rising disposable incomes. The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, like electric luxury vehicles, also drives market growth. The adoption of pre-owned luxury cars is increasing due to easy access to financing and lower entry prices. Manufacturers are investing in innovative mobility technologies, such as personal voice assistance, autonomous driving, and AI and ML, creating a positive market outlook.
Inside the architecture: How software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms are built
LiDAR sensors enable precise 3D mapping, crucial for vehicle navigation and obstacle detection. AI algorithms process vast data from sensors and cameras, enhancing decision-making for safe, efficient driving. French startup Airnity provides a cellular connectivity platform for the automotive industry to enhance connected car operations. THINKey operates through a secure architecture using enclaves in the phone, vehicle, and cloud, adhering to the car connectivity consortium’s digital key standard. Additionally, the startup offers infotainment solutions with plug-and-play SDKs and certification-ready apps for phone mirroring and multimedia features.
Used car industry trends
However, it’s estimated that there will be 33 million autonomous vehicles on the road by 2040. Virtual car shopping is the new norm and will remain a significant car industry trend for years. The booming e-commerce industry is essential to the global online car buying demand. This is further fueled by increasing awareness of convenience and supported by rising digital literacy, internet accessibility, urbanization, and disposable income levels.
Qumasoft automates Automotive Cybersecurity Management
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.
- Toyota intends to power its battery plant in North Carolina with renewable energy by 2025.
- Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are advancing transportation by minimizing the need for human drivers and enhancing last-mile delivery efficiency.
- Finally, its V2AP (V2X Integration Platform) is a server-side software to amplify V2X services to elevate road safety and efficiency.
- Moreover, blockchain and digital contracts enhance security and automate billing.
- Honda will be showing its Series 0 platform that will be used for its SAE Level 4 driverless car in 2026.
- This platform uses secured safety assurance and risk-mitigation principles to detect and address failures in assisted and self-driving systems.
- North America is commanding a 43% share as new-age OEMs focus on BEVs and software-driven architectures.
- IoT creates more opportunities for manufacturers to market to consumers even after they’ve made a purchase.
Electric Mobility
- The startup’s vehicle management system provides insights into speed, running vitals, and health information.
- Car dealerships are no exception, as recent auto trends reveal that customers prefer to experience a car or dealership before purchasing.
- Autonomous tech will likely be bundled with subscription services, reshaping mobility economics.
- Autonomous vehicles are reshaping mobility, from AI‑powered perception to intelligent infrastructure and generative simulation.
- Right now, there are only about 73,215 public EV charging stations across the US.
- Miniaturization trends in automotive electronics enable the integration of multiple sensors into compact systems to improve vehicle performance while reducing costs.
With zero emissions, low noise, and a range of up to 400 km, FALAK offers a sustainable urban mobility solution. The startup emphasizes comfort with electric doors, extended safety features, and panoramic views from all seats. Advances in solid-state batteries promise higher energy density and faster charging times, while the expansion of ultra-fast chargers addresses key barriers to EV adoption. With the growing popularity of bidirectional charging (V2G) technology, EVs now contribute energy to the grid to improve stability. By focusing on digital transformation, the company aims to integrate predictive analytics and process automation, creating production systems that are adaptable and resilient. These examples point to AI enabling real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance, while improving quality control and minimising downtime, marking the technology ‘a no-brainer’ for production in 2025.
Automotive Industry Trends 2025: Shifting Gears Toward Innovation
Shared mobility reduces individual car ownership, especially in urban areas, impacting vehicle sales volumes but increasing demand for fleet vehicles and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms. It encourages OEMs to develop subscription models, short-term rentals, and multi-modal transport integration. Shared mobility also influences vehicle design toward durability, modularity, and connectivity. Autonomous driving is a key innovation driver but remains in a development and regulatory phase.
Shortage of chips will complicate the automotive industry
With EV makers in China engaging in a price war due to declining demand, Chinese brands with strong hybrid presently are gaining popularity. A few hybrid models are priced below their EV and ICE counterparts, attracting Chinese consumers to hybrids, especially plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and extended-range hybrid (EREV) models. Further, its Craidlr ATX-G gateways are integral to the surface temperature & vibration monitoring solution, catering to diverse automotive testing needs. These gateways, combined with advanced transducers, facilitate real-time data collection. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 4800+ exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals high startup activity in the US, Europe, and India.
Artificial Intelligence in the Automotive Industry
- The startup also offers Leap EasyTrack, a vehicle tracking solution that allows for quick and easy self-installation, making it simple to transfer between vehicles without downtime.
- The automotive industry is one of the most severely affected by supply chain disruptions.
- It produces alternating current (AC) wallboxes for residential charging up to 22 kW and AC column stations for companies and municipalities.
- Connected vehicles are entering a software-defined era where 5G, AI, and V2X convert cars into real-time data nodes that communicate smoothly with infrastructure, other vehicles, and the cloud.
- Improved range, faster charging times and enhanced performance are making EVs not just environmentally conscious choices, but compelling alternatives for everyday use.
- Startups are developing big data solutions to help manufacturers and related industries streamline operations and maximize profits.
The U.S. and China trade war has also influenced the search for alternative sourcing options. Labor costs are another factor in the rise of local sourcing, with countries such as Taiwan, Cambodia, and Laos providing a lower-cost labor alternative to China. Given the opportunity to significantly disrupt private transport and shape the future of the automotive industry, companies are expected to continue investing in autonomous vehicles in 2025. At the same time, a limited EV infrastructure and uneven policy application dampen the pace of meaningful progress throughout the region.
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 and Mexico. Additionally, the startup offers features such as platooning algorithms for safe and efficient vehicle grouping.
🔮 Preparing for Tomorrow: Strategies for Industry Players and Consumers
Autonomous tech will likely be bundled with subscription services, reshaping mobility economics. From electric vehicles zipping past gas guzzlers to cars that update themselves like your smartphone, the industry is in the middle of a revolution. Did you know that EVs are projected to make up nearly 20% of global vehicle sales in 2026? That’s no longer a distant future — it’s happening now, and it’s transforming everything from manufacturing floors to your driveway. Connectivity is one of the key trends in automotive industry, and 5G is what takes it to a more advanced level.
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In this world where we are shifting to EVs, individuals usually prefer to shift to smaller vehicles which are much more affordable and environmentally friendly. They are much more convenient to use in these congested cities and parking these vehicles is much easier. Younger generations, especially Genz or millennials prefer these vehicles as they are much more attractive.
The startup’s platform, Aqueduct, is easy to install, has 4 charging modules with up to 22kW, provides monthly reports, and uses a Typ2 charging cable. The solution recognizes the power requirements of every car and automatically controls the charging speed for each vehicle. Swedish startup Volta Trucks makes Volta Zero, an electric truck for urban deliveries. This vehicle’s design prioritizes driver safety and comfort, featuring a central driving position and panoramic vision for enhanced visibility. The Volta Zero addresses sustainability by enabling zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner city environments.
It also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates with larger data payloads and faster speeds, improving software reliability and feature rollout. For consumers, 5G means richer infotainment, seamless smartphone integration, and enhanced navigation services. The automotive ecosystem will become more interconnected, paving the way for smart cities and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS). The transition to electric vehicles has moved beyond early adoption and is now something of a global imperative.
It also uses regenerative braking to capture and store energy in the car’s battery. The APH-01 incorporates flax fiber in its body shell, which reduces weight, increases impact resistance, and improves vibration damping. In addition to enhancing energy efficiency, regenerative braking systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recovering energy during braking to support global efforts to meet stricter emission norms. Keyvault raised USD 1 million in January 2025 to introduce smartphone-enabled car keys in the US, following the trend of incorporating smart device features into automobiles. Mercedes-Benz is also using generative AI to include conversational assistants for improving user experiences and redefining in-car interactions. The number of connected cars worldwide will likely reach 400 million by 2025 up from 237 million in 2021.
- The need for high-performance processors is also growing as a result of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which rely on semiconductors for ongoing updates and subscription-based services.
- The global automotive parts market has been steadily growing for the past twenty years.
- Meanwhile, tech companies such as Uber and Lyft continue to expand their digital-first transportation solutions, creating a more competitive and diverse mobility landscape.
- By addressing issues proactively, manufacturers and service providers can further reduce breakdowns, enhance vehicle reliability, and improve overall customer satisfaction.
- The AI in Automotive industry in 2026 is evolving as AI, autonomous technologies, and software-defined vehicles reshape global mobility systems.
- By 2030, automotive industry trends 2030 will witness a significant shift towards electric and autonomous vehicles, driving sustainable growth in the car market.
German OEMs already have a full roadmap from L2 to L3, with Mercedes Benz commercializing their DrivePilot system, and BMW is likely to follow soon. Emerging companies are developing advanced sensing technologies to collect extensive vehicle data and enable vehicles to better understand their surroundings. Blockchain technology is increasingly being utilized in the automotive industry for various applications. It enables secure data sharing for connected and shared mobility solutions, including ride-hailing, urban transportation, and delivery services.
Nearshoring is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in North America, where manufacturers are shifting operations closer to key markets to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce logistical costs. In the UK, auto production surpassed one million units in 2023, marking a significant recovery. However, with the cessation of certain models, there are concerns about a potential production dip in 2024. New EV launches slated for 2025 are expected to reinvigorate the market, underscoring the importance of product innovation in sustaining growth. Artificial Intelligence and Smart Factory technologies are no longer aspirational but integral to modern automotive manufacturing. Stellantis, for instance, has demonstrated how AI can transform production efficiency.
In 2025, used passenger car registrations are forecast to hit 179 million globally and are predicted to grow by 1.4% year-on-year. The cost of new cars remains at an all-time high, and with higher interest rates, consumers are likely either to wait for rates to decrease or to turn to the used car market. 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. In 2025, Uber and GM Cruise will partner, allowing users of the Uber ride-hailing platform to book fully self-driving vehicles from the app in selected US cities.
Q) How Will Adapting to Evolving Tech Landscape Help Automakers?
EVs drive the shift to greener mobility and it is aided by advancements in semiconductors for smarter and efficient vehicles. OEMs are investing billions in EV platforms, battery R&D, and charging infrastructure partnerships. Legacy brands like Ford, GM, machine learning in VIN decoding systems and Volkswagen are launching dedicated EV lines, while startups like Rivian and Lucid push luxury and performance boundaries.
Along with battery-powered electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are another alternative to internal combustion engines. By 2035, approximately 16% of all new LV (light vehicle) sales in the US are predicted to consist of advanced automated vehicles (L3, L4, and L5). Fewer new vehicle purchases mean consumers hold onto their vehicles longer, reducing the available used inventory and increasing prices. Additionally, interest rates for used vehicle loans are higher than those for new cars. It is anticipated that used-vehicle sales will not return to pre-pandemic levels of around 40 million units per year until 2025, similar to new-vehicle sales.
- Autonomous driving demonstrates scalable deployment across passenger and freight use cases, and subscription models give consumers flexible access to vehicles.
- Apex.OS runs on automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and offers robust, reliable, and secure APIs to develop autonomous mobility solutions.
- Partnerships between telecom providers and automakers, like Targa Telematics’ collaboration with Renault, are enhancing connectivity solutions, particularly for fleet management.
- The future trends in the automobile industry suggest that 2025 can be the milestone year for connected cars.
- Changing consumer preferences, cost efficiency, technological progress, and sustainability targets drive this innovation.
Automotive semiconductors and sensor fusion enhance safety, efficiency, and intelligence. This approach ensures our reports provide reliable, actionable insights into the automobile innovation ecosystem while highlighting startups driving technological advancements in the industry. This process enables us to identify the most impactful and innovative trends in the automobile industry. The latest technology in automobile industry have revolutionized the way vehicles are designed, manufactured, and sold, and the vehicles themselves have become much more than a means of transport. A recent survey reveals automotive companies have product development and launch cycles shorter than 18 months.
- Autonomous driving technologies like AD and ADAS are only possible to implement with the adoption of AI.
- Explore the most important trade fairs and conferences to boost your business success.
- The automotive industry was perhaps the saving grace of the European semiconductor industry in 2023, but reality has hit hard in 2024.
- Additionally, smart virtual assistants are emerging as a key HMI feature, aiding drivers and passengers in interacting with vehicles and external services.
- As incentives and projects pile up and resources remain limited, delivering everything on time,…
- Recent developments highlight how manufacturers are leveraging advanced technologies and evolving their strategies to meet these challenges.
Several leading OEMs have already announced plans to adopt the chipset for their automotive solutions, including BYD, Nuro, XPENG, Volvo and Zeekr. Contact us today to make critical data-driven decisions, prompting accelerated business expansion and breakthrough performance. With customers becoming more demanding, rules and regulations are becoming stricter, and competition is stronger and faster.
Methodology: How We Created the Automobile Trend Report
Also, EV charging infrastructure requires strong cybersecurity, as attackers target charging stations for data theft or service disruption. The startup also operates PartSmart, a real-time parts ordering platform that connects insurers, workshops, fleet owners, and suppliers. The platform enables visibility across the entire claims cycle and supports both OEM and aftermarket sourcing.
Leading companies such as Volkswagen, General Motors, and Volvo have committed to producing zero-emission vehicles and achieving carbon-neutral operations by mid-century. In line with this, automakers focus on sustainability in their manufacturing processes, energy sourcing, and material selection. The SDVs market is set to reach 7.6 million units in 2025 from 6.2 million units in 2024. North America is commanding a 43% share as new-age OEMs focus on BEVs and software-driven architectures. Major technology providers are also solidifying their roles in key areas such as ADAS, electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures, and cloud computing solutions. This will further usher the industry into a new era of smarter, more connected, and more efficient vehicles.