Recently, American automotive research institution AutoPacific released a report on the future attributes and needs of automobiles in 2024. The report surveyed nearly 15,000 licensed drivers in the United States who plan to purchase a new car within the next three years, investigating their preferences and demands for pre-purchase new car brands, types, power systems, and vehicle-mounted features. In terms of vehicle-mounted features, the study examined 163 such features, including autonomous driving and safety technologies, infotainment technologies, connectivity features, and exterior styling kits.

▍Wireless charging is convenient and becoming more prevalent

The study found that comfort and convenience features are top priorities for new car buyers. The most desired feature for 2024 new car buyers is wireless charging in the front row. This feature allows passengers to charge their electronic devices without cables, reducing clutter and enhancing convenience, compatibility, safety, and the overall driving experience. 44% of survey respondents selected this feature as a requirement.

Apart from front-row wireless charging, new car buyers also expressed strong interest in rear-row charging capabilities, with 37% of respondents selecting this feature, ranking second on the list. The trend of eliminating cables has been prevalent in both home life and vehicle interior design. In the 2023 study, 48% of respondents desired front-row wireless charging (ranking second), while 40% wanted wireless charging pads for rear passengers (ranking fifth). This indicates a preference for a clean and cable-free interior environment.

Tied for second place on the list is heated/ventilated front seats. This feature topped the list in the 2021 study and ranked sixth in 2023. Additionally, the 110V household outlet feature, which allows owners to conveniently use various household appliances outdoors or during long trips, enhancing comfort and convenience, has appeared on the list for two consecutive years.

▍Driver profiles becoming increasingly 'essential'

The ability for vehicles to provide and save personalized settings is becoming increasingly important for car buyers. 35% of survey respondents selected the driver profile feature, which allows users to customize their vehicle settings based on their driving habits and preferences and save them in a specific driver profile.

Modern vehicles offer various methods to adjust and personalize driving habits, including seat and steering wheel adjustments, mirror settings, custom LED exterior lighting, suspension stiffness, and driving assistance systems and infotainment systems. This feature ranked sixth on the 2024 list and tenth in 2023.

This feature is particularly helpful for families with multiple drivers who share a vehicle. According to Robby DeGraff, Manager of Product and Consumer Insights at AutoPacific, creating a driver profile initially requires some setup, but once completed, the vehicle automatically adjusts seat, mirror, steering wheel, audio presets, and many other personal settings to the driver's preferences, essentially enabling a seamless driving experience.

▍Moderate interest in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Intelligence is one of the core driving forces for the future development of the automotive industry. Breakthroughs in autonomous driving technology and the implementation of more driving assistance features have transformed traditional driving methods and consumer perceptions of automobiles. However, the study found moderate interest in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. Features like Super Cruise or Autopilot did not make the top ten list and are not among the most desired by car buyers today.

Conversely, two simpler and more practical safety-enhanced driving assistance features made the top ten list. One is rain-sensing wipers, desired by 36% of new car buyers. These wipers sense rainwater and automatically adjust their wiping speed based on rainfall intensity, enhancing driving convenience and safety. Although this feature has been around for decades, it is still not standard in most non-luxury vehicles.

32% of respondents prefer rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking. According to Robby DeGraff, automakers are showcasing the effectiveness of this feature through various marketing efforts. Whether reversing in a busy parking lot or exiting a garage onto a main road, this feature is crucial for protecting occupants and pedestrians. AutoPacific predicts continued strong demand for this feature in the future.

First introduced in 2023 and ranking third that year, the unresponsive driver assistance feature automatically moves the vehicle to the side of the road and parks it if the driver becomes incapacitated. This feature is vital in emergencies like strokes, seizures, or loss of consciousness. In 2024, it was refined into two functions: parking on the lane and directing the car to the shoulder, receiving 45% of votes. AutoPacific expects this feature to become more prevalent in the coming years.

Typesetting: Zheng Li

Source: Autopacific

Image Source: Qiantu Images