Mobility Report
Heart of the Industry: How Automotive Passion is Fading in a Modern Market
Automotive sector is losing its core essence
TO THE EDITOR:
Each week, as I finish the most recent issue of Automotive News, my worries about the car industry grow. My anxiety stems from the industry's apparent loss of its core essence. Numerous attempts have been made to manage car companies using strategies from other, unrelated sectors, but these efforts have often failed. The reason is simple: cars are akin to pieces of art, appealing more to emotions than logic. Purchasing a car is often a decision driven by the heart rather than the mind.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, General Motors perfectly exemplified my theory during my most active years in the industry. The frequent turnover of CEOs, presidents, and vice presidents, many of whom lacked any experience in the automotive sector, was a clear indicator of the company's troubles. In my youth, the major car manufacturers in Detroit were led by executives who were deeply knowledgeable about cars and understood their customers.
In today's world, the landscape has certainly shifted. There are now only a handful of car enthusiasts in influential roles, and the customer base has evolved as well. A smaller number of buyers possess knowledge about cars, and even fewer are genuinely interested in them. Passionate car lovers have given way to individuals who primarily require a means of transportation. These people are often less excited about their cars than they are about their smartphones. Cars have been relegated to the status of mere household appliances. As a result, car dealerships may become obsolete, as many buyers fail to grasp their significance.
Kevin Donovan, the proprietor of KD Creations in Port St. Lucie, Florida, specializes in creating products with automotive themes.
SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU
Car manufacturers are advised to maintain their focus on electric vehicles
Submit your feedback
Got thoughts on this article? Share them by submitting a Letter to the Editor, and we might feature it in our print edition.
Subscribe to our complimentary newsletters:
Daily Digest (Monday to Friday)
Weekly Digest (every Monday)
Urgent News Updates (whenever necessary)
I want to get email updates about editorial content, exclusive deals, research, events, and webinars from Automotive News.
EMAIL ADDRESS
Kindly provide a valid email address.
Could you please provide your email address?
Kindly confirm the captcha.
Kindly choose at least one newsletter to sign up for.
Explore additional newsletter choices at autonews.com/newsletters. You have the option to unsubscribe at any moment using the links provided in these emails. For further details, please review our Privacy Policy.
Online Version
Subscribe now to receive the top stories from Automotive News directly in your email inbox at no cost. Select your preferred news and we'll send it to you.
Gain round-the-clock access to comprehensive and reliable coverage of the automotive sector, provided by an international team of journalists and editors who report on crucial industry news essential for your business.
Our purpose
To equip present and upcoming business leaders with the understanding, expertise, and networks essential for success in a swiftly evolving sector.
1155 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207-2997
You can reach them at 877-812-1584
Send us an
Automotive News Print Edition ISSN 0005-1551 | Online Edition ISSN 1557-7686
Discover more from Automobilnews News - The first AI News Portal world wide
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.