Automotive Industry Trends In 2022

 

2022 Chevrolet BoltE. Chevrolet Pressroom. Valley Chevy Dealers

The automotive industry is undergoing rapid technological changes. The industry is swiftly transforming from producing traditional vehicles to creating powerful technologies that revolutionize how people use their vehicles. Technologies like self-driving cars and next-level vehicle connectivity will change our lives and perspective on driving. 

As innovations in the automotive industry continue fast, there are dozens of predictions. We can correctly expect breakthroughs soon that will change the game for the automotive industry. 

At Valley Chevy, we dived deep into research to bring you the latest automotive trends in 2022. This article reveals the latest industry transformations and their impacts on drivers, commuters, and automakers this year. Let us dive into the biggest automotive trends in 2022. 

Autonomous Self-Driving Cars

The self-driving vehicle technology is one of the biggest automotive industry trends in 2022. While no fully autonomous cars are commercially available for purchase, the technology is currently undergoing rigorous testing. 

Right now, cars almost becoming driverless can control steering, braking, and acceleration while still needing drivers to remain engaged. With rigorous testing and major car brands interested in autonomous self-driving technology, the industry should expect entirely driverless cars soon. 

Driverless cars leverage robust technologies like GPS, complex scanners, powerful vision processing tools, and sensors. Nearly all big brands in the automotive industry have publicly announced their plans to embrace full self-driving technology. 

According to General Motors CEO (Mary Barra), the automaker might offer self-driving cars to the public later this decade. Other automakers looking to transition to self-driving vehicles include: 

  • Mercedes Benz
  • Audi
  • Tesla

Tesla is so far the closest company to putting fully autonomous cars on the road. According to Tesla's website, all new Tesla vehicles already have the hardware necessary in the future for full self-driving functionality. Once the full self-driving features become available, the automaker will upgrade the software technologies in their new models. 

If autonomous self-driving vehicles become commercially available, automakers that will not keep up with the trend will be left behind. After all, the full self-driving features will handle the most burdensome parts of driving. 

A driver will get into a car, speak or type a location into the vehicle's interface, and sit back and relax as the vehicle takes them to their desired location. After reaching the destination, the driver will step out, and the car automatically looks for a suitable spot to park itself. 

That will be a dream come true for most vehicle owners if driverless cars become commercially available. Meanwhile, visit your nearest Valley Chevy dealership in Phoenix, AZ, to test drive a new Chevrolet. 

Connected Cars

Advanced vehicle connectivity is one of the most popular automotive trends in 2022. Connected cars can think for themselves and enable vehicles to "talk" to one another. 

For example, connected vehicles on the highway can use radio signals to talk with each other such that every car knows where other vehicles are. As a result, this technology can reduce or prevent crashes from happening. 

Vehicle connectivity is trending because it is the backbone of some of the biggest trending technologies in the automotive industry. Advanced driver-assist systems and self-driving innovations hugely depend on connectivity to function seamlessly. 

Major vehicle brands are investing in connectivity to bring a next-generation network of vehicles. For example, General Motors (GM) plans to equip their 2024 model year cars with 5G connectivity. 

Connectivity allows automakers to gather and analyze crucial vehicle data, including:

  • Engine performance
  • Diagnostic codes
  • Maintenance needs

Then, automakers can use these data for predictive modeling, which can help prevent or fix issues early. As a result, this information (thanks to connectivity) allows automakers to streamline manufacturing processes, reduce warranty costs, and best serve customers' needs. 

Online Car Purchasing

Car buying has for many years been a stressful process for many Americans. For this reason, companies and dealers are finding new ways to make the buying process less painful for buyers by enabling online shopping.

According to recent statistics, online buying is so common in the United States that about three-quarters of consumers shop for items online. Moreover, the number of online shoppers in the country is set to skyrocket even further. 

That explains why buying a car online is one of the automotive trends in 2022. The web has simplified acquiring information about vehicles people are interested in, which drives this trend in the automotive industry. For example, it is easy to find a car dealer in Phoenix, AZ, on the internet. 

Test Drive a New Chevy in Phoenix, AZ Today

If you are looking for a new, used, or certified Chevrolet vehicle in Phoenix, AZ, Valley Chevy has you covered. Visit your nearest dealership in the area that will present you with the greatest and most recent Chevrolet cars, SUVs, and trucks.

 

Image by Chevrolet Pressroom