GEAB 148

In a period of uncertainty and with the morose predictions that have constantly plagued it over the last ten years, the European car industry has undoubtedly taken advantage of the covid crisis to take a more wholesome route. In spite of a severe indictment, what with the saturation of urban spaces, environmental problems, unacceptable dangers and unbearable costs (leading, in particular, to disinterest from younger generations), we don’t anticipate the built-in obsolescence of the private car. By 2030, European manufacturers will actually have all the weapons they need to win the race for the driverless car, a race their Chinese competitor is already diving into headlong. In Europe, we anticipate that transportation will be different from what Asia is already promising today. In our countries with their long car history, it will be part of a sort of modernity that is concerned with the environment and safety. But future transportation will also be able to preserve the unique relationship that European consumers have with their vehicles and car brands. In an unprecedented public/private scheme, the car is reinventing its role just as much as car manufacturers are reinventing their relationship with their customers.

This article is a loose overview from our usual research and an interview with the Innovations and Future-Thinking Director at Renault, Didier Delcourt. The analyses and anticipations that emerge from it are the sole responsibility of the GEAB.