Talk to Sales: (401) 200-6026
The world of automotive technology has its foot on the gas pedal — can you keep up?
“That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced.” – Scientific American, January 2, 1909.
Scientific American wasn’t just wrong when it printed this prediction in the early 1900s — it was so, so, so incredibly wrong. Can you imagine what that writer would think today if he or she saw some of the current models on the market? With GPS technology, Bluetooth capabilities, and backup cameras, that writer may think they’re looking at a spaceship rather than an automobile.
Needless to say, vehicles have come a long way since their early days. And though, in some ways, it’s hard to imagine what they’ll think of next, we know from experience that automotive technology will continue to “wow” us time and time again as we move into the future.
Working in an auto dealership, it’s obviously essential that you’re in the know when it comes to the advanced technology features of each car, truck, and SUV on your lot. It’s critical during the sale process to have a thorough understanding of the technological benefits of every vehicle, especially since these advanced features can impress potential buyers and closing deals.
While you need to know the current state of automotive technology as part of your job, you also need to have an idea of where it’s going. You’ll be prepared for what’s to come, and soon you’ll develop a reputation for being a real industry insider.
The future of automotive technology and what you need to pay attention to
1. Driverless technology
Autonomous vehicles are getting a lot of buzz right now, so this is an important topic to stay on top of. Tesla seems to be leading the charge currently, and Autoweek says “The general consensus now is that the Model S can go full autonomous with a software update; it’s just waiting for infrastructure and laws to catch up.” Check out this video the company posted to see what it could be like to ride in a driverless vehicle.
Autopilot Full Self-Driving Hardware (Neighborhood Long) from Tesla Motors on Vimeo.
2. Car safety technology
Cars already have a ton of helpful safety features, but the future of car safety could be connected vehicle technology, allowing cars on the road to “talk” to each other. Your car would monitor your driving, and notify other drivers of any issues that would affect them.
3. Biometric vehicle access
Keyless entry and start were great developments in automotive technology, but the key of the future may just be in the palm of your hand — well, your finger to be exact. Taking a note from the smartphone world, we may soon be able to unlock and start our vehicles with only our fingerprints.
4. Driver override systems
Sometimes, the driver doesn’t know best. There are already cars that will stop if you don’t apply the brakes quickly enough, but driver override systems will take that a step further. For example, if you’ve got your gas pedal pressed to the floor, the car will override your choice if it feels the brakes need to be applied.
5. In-vehicle marketing
It’s hard to escape advertisements, and soon, they may follow you right into your car. Based on your location and other trackable factors, you may see personalized ads pop up on your car’s display.
6. Navigation technology
Projections onto windshields aren’t a brand new thing, but they could be commonplace shortly for navigation. Instead of glancing over at Waze on your mounted smartphone, signals to turn and other directions may be displayed directly on your windshield.
7. Health monitoring
Drivers face many different hazards on the road, but most don’t expect their health to get in the way of safety. The truth is that seizure, heart attack, stroke, or another medical emergency can happen at any time, even while someone is driving. With advancements in automotive technology, seatbelts or steering wheels may be able to actively monitor a driver’s vitals. When paired with driverless tech, the car could pull over and call 911 in the event of an emergency.
8. Child safety technology
Automakers will release some much-needed child safety features in the coming years. The technology will likely include mandatory rear cameras and reminders to check the backseat when a car is turned off.
9. Vehicle tracking
Insurance companies are always looking for more efficient ways to determine the risks associated with insuring individual drivers, and vehicle tracking could be the future of what decides your car insurance premium.
10. Remote vehicle shutdown
OnStar already uses this type of technology regularly in the event a car is stolen, or the driver lures police into a chase. In the near future, however, it will likely be found in every car and regularly utilized to turn off rogue vehicles.
Automotive technology is moving faster than ever before, so you can’t afford to ignore these advancements. As you study up on new makes and models, reading about auto tech should also be a priority to keep you two steps ahead of the competition.
Interested in an Affordable, Full-Featured Auto Dealer CRM?
Schedule an AutoRaptor Demo Now!
