Automotive speed used only to apply to fast sports cars but, as Hans Klis reports, the digital age and the exponential rate of innovation are forcing the industry to up its pace in production.
Automakers and suppliers are putting the hammer down by speeding up production cycles to keep connected cars current but also to stay ahead of the consumer electronics curve as well as their auto industry competitors.
In recent years, many younger consumers have become more focused on the latest digital technologies and online media rather than the latest car models. Taking into account that every other month faster and better mobile devices become available and new disruptive digital services pop up to replace traditional ones, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. To appeal to this new consumer class of so-called digital natives the auto industry is making huge strides in the field of the connected car.
Last year Spanish telecommunications provider Telefonica projected that by 2020 almost all cars will have in-vehicle connectivity. Companies including Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are investing record amounts into research and development of innovative services such as car-sharing, picture navigation and connectivity-enabled eco–conscious driving (see also PSA seven-year connected car deal with IBM).
Lees ‘The need for speed‘ verder bij TU-Automotive.
