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Automotive Trends of 2017

Automotive Trends of 2017

Washington Post- The CES technology conference in Las Vegas and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit has offered quite a bit of insight to where the automotive trends are heading and what they offer. Below are some trends we should lookout for in the years to come.
Although it may take a while, Autonomous Driving isn’t out of reach. At CES, Ford revealed the latest iteration of a self-driving vehicle that it hopes will be ready for the road come 2021. Google’s self-driving spinoff, Waymo, announced at the auto show here that it has built sensors for self-driving and will put minivans with the technology on the road this month. While this may be a gradual process, it doesn't mean that our cars today don't already offer some sort of driver-assistance technologies. Sensors are placed and activated when you drive too close to the line or if there’s a car in your blind spot. Adaptive cruise control technology automatically adjusts your speed based on the distance of the car in front of you. Rear-view cameras are joined by side-view and aerial-view cameras. Crossovers are more popular than ever, Americans bought 5.6 million of them last year alone. That’s the name given to vehicles built on a car frame with the design features and functionality commonly associated with sport-utility vehicles. For example the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Car buying comes down to lifestyle and versatility. Room for children, cargo space, and space are what a lot of buyers are looking for and can expect with crossovers. They are more fuel efficient than larger SUV’s and trucks, and who doesn’t care about how much they pay at the pump. Mazda displayed the all-new CX-5 and Ford the EcoSport were displayed at the L.A. Auto Show in November. Volkswagen, Subaru, and Ford have crossovers coming out in the near future. Automobiles increasingly come with Internet connections. The Department of Transportation proposed rules requiring that all new cars on the road must be able to “talk” to one another digitally starting in 2020. This is in the hope that traffic accidents and fatalities are reduced. Ford, Toyota, and other automakers came together and launched infotainment system that connects to Apple iOS and Google Android.
A lot of automakers are bringing back classics with a touch of new. Toyota and Ford came out with new versions. Ford plans to bring back a cult-favorite, the Bronco, in 2020. Automakers are producing more all-electric and hybrid vehicle models than ever, with even more slated to come down the pike. Buyers are few at this time, but there is hope that the electric/hybrid market will increase. Last year more American bought automobiles than ever, offering financial perks to close deals. Discounts on sticker prices and rebates, as well as longer payback terms and competitive interest rates, are some of the advantages. Another trend to look out for is millennials shaking up the auto industry. Automakers are starting to develop their own ride-hailing and sharing services because some young urbanites don’t want to own cars. Ford plans to expand its minibus ride-sharing program called Chariot.
Trends are ever changing and adapting to consumers needs and wants. It’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone in the auto industry. At www.williamsgroupauto.com, we hold a variety of vehicles with everything you need.

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