Bernd Hitzemann, Research Director- Automotive, PRIME ResearchPRIME Research, the international research-based communications consulting firm released its “2017 Global Automotive Trends Report” in tandem with the World Car Awards (WCA) at the New York International Auto Show. The report, focused on emerging automotive trends, combines PRIME’s vast analysis of traditional and social automotive media coverage across 25 global markets with survey results from the 75 World Car Award jurors, comprised of the world’s leading automotive journalists. Taken together, journalists’ opinions and the content they generate provides a complete view of the opinions which both reflect and shape marketplace opinion.The following questions and answers represent the emerging trends for 2017 and beyond:Is an electric mobility future within reach?Despite diesel continuing to fuel car sales across the globe, battery electric vehicles are expected to close the gap by 2025. Range, charging infrastructure, faster charging and decreasing costs continue to lead the conversation. Within the report, PRIME highlights the key challenges for manufacturers in capitalising on the rising appetite for an electric future, and the brands currently seen as leaders within the industry. How can Connected Mobility change the automotive industry?The increasing influence of technology giants within the automotive industry is shaping how consumers purchase vehicles. It is expected that by 2020 data will play a major role within automotive business models, with the US and China set to lead the charge. How autonomous do we want our vehicles to be?Desirability of an autonomous future continues to gain momentum in 2017, with some brands close to finalizing a tangible example of a ‘level 5’ model. The Global Trends Report highlights which level of autonomous driving technology is most desirable within the industry, and which elements are seen as the biggest appeals and challenges.According to author Bernd Hitzemann, “The future belongs to electric mobility: Diesel engines currently have a global market share of 13.5% compared to just 1% for battery electrics but we expect diesels to be surpassed by battery electric vehicles in 2023.  To gain a leadership position, e-cars must overcome challenges related to driving range, charging infrastructure, quicker charging and decreasing costs.  Driven by changes underway in the United States and its current administration, stricter emissions standards and high oil prices have become and will remain less important in the drive towards e-mobility.”   

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[gravityform id="220" title="false" description="false"] [author]About the Author: Bernd Hitzemann leads PRIME’s automotive sector team in the firm’s office in Mainz, Germany. As a Director of Research, Bernd leads a team of analysts and consultants who provide actionable insights to many of the world’s best known automotive companies and brands.  For questions or comments, please contact Bernd via email at: hitzemann@prime-research.com [/author] [author]About PRIME Research:  PRIME Research, the global research-based communications consulting firm, marries talent with technology to help clients make better business and communications decisions.  The company employs approximately 500 analysts and consultants in eight research hubs in the Americas, Europe and Asia.  To learn more about PRIME, please visit our website at www.prime-research.com [/author]