Meanwhile, Carlos Tarves, CEO of automaker Stellantis, has said the chip shortages will continue to plague his industry next year. 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.
Software-defined Vehicles (SDV): Market Set to Reach USD 3.3T by 2034
The number of connected cars worldwide will likely reach 400 million by 2025 up from 237 million in 2021. The startup also offers META, a compact shuttle for urban mobility; and SPACE for passenger transportation. These vehicles use a re-assembly factory model, which allows upgrades and updates to extend their lifecycle. Moreover, lightweight and bio-based materials are used to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency, which aligns with sustainability goals. These pods use AI and machine learning algorithms for real-time perception and adaptive decision-making. The startup’s technology allows these pods to adapt across industries, enhancing efficiency and safety in transporting people and goods.
Transportation
The rise of online car buying and digital retail experiences is forcing dealerships and OEMs to innovate. Demand for customizable, software-updatable vehicles is growing, as is interest in electric and hybrid powertrains. Automakers must balance traditional desires for performance and style with new expectations for tech integration and environmental responsibility. The inherent flexibility of electric powertrains is enabling automakers to reimagine vehicle design, resulting in lighter, more efficient vehicles. Improved range, faster charging times and enhanced performance are making EVs not just environmentally conscious choices, but compelling alternatives for everyday use.
Tesla’s EV battery production and global gigafactory network
Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) is the essential resource for automotive manufacturing professionals and suppliers globally. We invite you to revisit these top stories, share your perspectives, and stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of the trends shaping the automotive world. As net-zero targets become the norm, the reliance on renewable energy is only set to grow. Exciting developments in energy storage and green hydrogen technologies promise to redefine production processes further. The answer lies in education, infrastructure, and trust-building—slow but steady wins the race.
Q) What are the predictions for the automotive industry?
Moreover, the startup offers fleet-grade protection through continuous monitoring and predictive alerts. Its intelligent asset tracking defends vehicles against spoofing, ransomware, and remote control attempts. 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. AI and predictive analytics enhance demand forecasting, risk detection, and sourcing optimization.
- Rapid technological and environmental innovations have forced incumbents to adapt to new challenges.
- This move highlights the industry’s broader trend of building resilient supply chains to safeguard against geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
- Technology in automotive industry forges ahead—the latest technological advancements are more and more extensively used by the domain.
- Automakers will continue to incorporate these systems into even more affordable models, making safety technologies more accessible to a broader range of consumers.
- Human-machine interfaces (HMIs), including voice-based and haptic feedback systems, are expanding control over various car functions.
- Maximising the ROI to investors and stakeholders while remaining competitive will be priorities of the industry.
OEMs are juggling more regulations with fluctuating demands and ongoing chip shortages
For instance, Audi and BMW vehicles exchanged sensor data, including camera feeds, during 5G-V2X Direct demonstrations in Berlin. This data alerted drivers to pedestrians and cyclists before they became visible. Dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) based on IEEE 802.11p facilitates direct vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. For instance, Volkswagen integrated DSRC-based V2X technology into its Golf 8 and its ID electric series in Europe. Moreover, it enables companies to customize their fleet by choosing preferred brands, models, and service options, ranging from premium to ultra-luxury vehicles. Moreover, blockchain and digital contracts enhance security and automate billing.
🚗 Subscription Models and Car-Sharing Services
- This approach enhances flexibility across its global operations, ensuring a rapid response to shifting market demands.
- Analysts project the automotive cybersecurity market to increase from USD 5.24 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 18.88 billion by 2034, advancing at a CAGR of 15.3%.
- Moreover, it ensures perception in challenging conditions such as night, rain, fog, and snow.
- Partnerships between telecom providers and automakers, like Targa Telematics’ collaboration with Renault, are enhancing connectivity solutions, particularly for fleet management.
- It also manufactures direct current (DC) fast chargers with capacities of up to 240 kW.
- The startup’s Ethernet products support precise timing synchronization with the 802.1AS Precision Time Protocol (gPTP) to ensure reliable communication for time-sensitive applications.
- As 2024 comes to a close, the automotive manufacturing industry continues to accelerate its transformation.
Solid-state batteries increase energy density, shorten charging times, and give EVs longer ranges and greater convenience. For example, Toyota plans a commercial rollout by 2027 to bring solid-state battery EVs into mass production. Moreover, automakers reduce tailpipe emissions, cities improve air quality, and governments reduce fossil fuel dependence.
- Car companies plan to integrate powertrain components in the next five to ten years by combining onboard chargers with batteries.
- Tesla already employs single inverter housings across its models, offering efficient integration of power electronics.
- A Deloitte UK study found that 52% of all consumers show no interest in car subscription models; interest is higher among younger people (age 18-34).
- Key players like Bosch, Continental AG, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG are investing in technological advancements.
- 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.
- In 2025, many automakers will focus on creating vehicles that are easier to disassemble, repair, and recycle at the end of their lifecycle.
- The segment’s sales will rise in the first six months of fiscal 2025, while the industry’s revenue will increase at the same pace to $33.8 billion.
- Statevolt’s decision to build its gigafactory in the UAE rather than Europe has been a talking point this year.
EV technology is the catalyst for transformation—it’s forcing OEMs to rethink vehicle architecture, supply chains, and customer engagement. Battery improvements reduce costs and increase range, making EVs more accessible. EVs also enable new business models like vehicle-to-grid services and battery leasing. This tech shift is also accelerating the move toward software-defined vehicles and connected ecosystems. Moreover, high-performance computing platforms supply the processing power needed to run these systems in real time. NVIDIA’s DRIVE Thor, for instance, offers up to 2000 TOPS of AI inference performance.
Q) What is the trend of automotive industry in India?
Swedish startup Radar Reticence designs radar sensors that advance sensor fusion capabilities in the automotive industry. Its technology applies signal processing algorithms to eliminate interference and ensure radar units operate reliably within the same environment. Also, MotionSafe protects the auto industry by securing vehicle data, supporting supply chains, and ensuring a safe transition to connected mobility. South African startup Motomatix applies AI and custom software solutions to strengthen supply chain resilience in the automotive repair sector. Supply chain resilience and nearshoring strengthen operational stability, while vehicle cybersecurity ensures trust in connected ecosystems.
💻 Trend 2: The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) – Cars as Computers
Governments worldwide are imposing stricter emissions standards and incentivizing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). This pushes automakers to invest heavily in electric drivetrains, recycled materials, and circular economy practices. Consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly options, influencing market offerings.
Connected cars are vehicles that use wireless means to connect to the Internet of Things. They offer a safe, comfortable, and convenient multimedia experience with on-demand features that allow users to browse the web while in their vehicle. They provide various features such as remote diagnostics, vehicle health reports, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots, turn-by-turn directions, and warnings of car health issues. The technology has already processed over a billion customer requests and is set to grow in 2025 with predictive intelligence and maintenance technology. Conversely, in Europe, regulations are scaling up in preparation for the EU ban on new ICE vehicles by 2035. Chinese EV automakers’ expansion into new markets, including Europe, other Asian countries, and Latin America as previously mentioned, could see a completely new global EV landscape.
Aadhya Navik designs Ride Safety Software
The final trend, and one which has been subject to a lot of attention (and hype), is driverless transportation. Its electronic control unit (ECU) platform combines AUTOSAR software modules with customizable hardware. It manages functions such as steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, engine control, and ADAS. At the same time, governments and companies view subscriptions as a pathway to scale EV adoption without heavy upfront investments.
Its technology transports ultra-high-bandwidth video and data from sensors to processors with ultra-low latency. For this, it uses advanced system-on-chips (SoCs) that integrate mixed-signal analog and digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. This includes driver monitoring systems, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance systems.
- System downtime caused by these attacks reached $1.99 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in 2021.
- One of the most in-demand connectivity solutions is in-vehicle infotainment—the systems that provide both information and entertainment for enhanced driving experience.
- Whilst the U.S. may be bucking it, there is certainly a global trend towards a more sustainability-forward manufacturing scene.
- In 2025, electrification and software integration will have an essential impact on the automotive industry.
- Along with battery-powered electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are another alternative to internal combustion engines.
- The convergence of AI-driven production systems, the scaling of EV capabilities, and the adoption of sustainable practices will reshape the competitive landscape.
MotionSafe enables AI-powered Automotive Cybersecurity
According to Statista’s report, global sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach an astounding US$786.2 billion by the end of 2024. As cities become more congested, shared mobility solutions are becoming increasingly popular. In 2025, we expect to see more automated and electric shared vehicles providing affordable, on-demand transportation. Self-driving vehicles rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to process real-time data from cameras, sensors, and radars. The goal is to enable cars to make decisions and navigate without human intervention. In 2025, automakers will continue improving AI systems’ reliability, reducing the likelihood of accidents, and enabling safer autonomous driving experiences.
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Get in touch to easily and exhaustively scout relevant technologies & startups that matter to you. Operating from Germany and the US, EcoG is a startup offering an IoT-based operating system and platform for EV charging. The startup provides manufacturers with unlocking the power of license plate lookup tools that make the development and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure simple, fast, and scalable. It also allows operators to integrate services and microservices in the chargers to make the charging process profitable. In addition, the solution works with any EV charger and enables new features to be shipped throughout the network.
What is the scope of emerging auto trends?
These over-the-air updates are becoming essential for ensuring vehicle reliability, safety and security, and are opening new revenue streams for manufacturers. Moreover, its software platform manages real-time energy flows and integrates with solar systems to optimize renewable energy usage. It also enables customers to schedule and monitor charging activity for improved efficiency. In Europe, the new General Safety Regulation II (from July 2024) and related standards embed connectivity, advanced sensors, and cybersecurity requirements into safety compliance frameworks.
The Tree Map below illustrates the top 10 automotive trends that will impact companies in 2024. Emerging companies are working to build the first fully autonomous vehicle for city roads, which in turn accelerates the advancements in-vehicle connectivity and IoT. It incorporates an intuitive infotainment system for efficient power management while minimizing driver distractions. The control system includes safeguards like automatic overheating prevention, battery depletion protection, and real-time torque and speed calibration for optimal performance on challenging terrains.
Automakers like Toyota and QuantumScape are heavily investing in this technology, and we can expect breakthroughs in battery chemistry and design in the coming years. The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies is revolutionizing automotive manufacturing. IoT, AI, and digital twins are becoming essential tools for improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and optimizing production processes. The push toward electrification is reshaping the automotive manufacturing landscape. By 2025, we will see increased investments in EV production as automakers cater to evolving consumer demands and regulatory pressures.
Printing: Revolution in Automotive Manufacturing
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). New vehicle inventory levels till December 2022 were 52% below December 2019 but 56% above January 2022. On the other hand, personal vehicles are on the rise due to improving urban road infrastructure, and the popularity of pre-owned cars among young people is also driving the market growth. North American and European automakers offer consumers the option to buy vehicles online without visiting dealerships. With a computer or smartphone, buyers can choose desired features, secure financing, and even take virtual walk-around and test drives. In 2025, more dealerships are expected to offer online sales, vehicle inspection, and home delivery.
Cars have become even more connected
By addressing issues proactively, manufacturers and service providers can further reduce breakdowns, enhance vehicle reliability, and improve overall customer satisfaction. A simple yet impactful example would be the replacement of vehicle manuals with voice-activated AI assistants. The AI system answers the driver’s query by cross-referencing data from the car’s diagnostics. It instantly generates a detailed explanation of the issue along with potential solutions.
Ascent Labs builds Risk Management Platform
This data-driven research provides innovation intelligence that helps you improve strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies in the automotive industry. In the Automotive Innovation Map below, you get a comprehensive overview of the innovation trends & startups that impact your company. Vietnamese startup Phenikaa-X creates autonomous electric vehicles with AI and multi-sensor technology for safe transportation. Its system uses functional modules, combining LiDAR, radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors to perceive surroundings, analyze traffic, and navigate efficiently. A 5G connection transmits data to a remote control station, which allows operators to monitor and intervene when needed. As the industry advances, 2025 will be a defining year in the automotive manufacturing sector.
The Auto Industry Trends & Startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation & startup scouting process. Automotive drivers now expect vehicles to behave like smartphones, gaining features through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Regulations also support adoption, as safety and emissions standards require continuous updates and smarter architectures. Indian startup SWYTCHD manages vehicle subscription services that focus on electric two-wheelers and cars. This enables an all-inclusive model that replaces ownership with monthly flexibility.