Energy
The State of Automotive & Mobility Report: Q1 2022
Report summary
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the automotive industry is still navigating the challenge of replenishing supply while also tailoring future transportation to consumer desires and changing climate demands. And as the Russia-Ukraine crisis unfolds, the path to recovery has become rockier.
Key Takeaways
- Vehicle buying trickles online: Faced with low selection, high prices and lingering comfort concerns at dealerships, some consumers are dipping into auto e-commerce.
- Electric vehicles are abuzz: Manufacturers’ enthusiasm for EVs might outpace that of consumers for now, but rising gas prices could further inspire uptake as EV technology becomes cheaper and easier to use.
- Vehicle servicing is getting back on track but faces disruption: Vehicle service providers struggled to keep up with an influx of demand as consumers looked to wring extra miles out of their vehicles. Those who provide timely service in an efficient, tech-savvy way will win over more consumers in the future.
- Autonomous vehicles have a long road ahead: While many consumers like the idea of autonomous vehicles, they need much more convincing on safety and trust around this future mode of transportation.
- Public transportation is rebounding: As pandemic fears dissipate, people are returning to public and shared modes of transportation. If gas and vehicle prices remain high, this sector could experience even more growth.
Methodology
This report uses survey research conducted fromDecember 2021 toMarch 2022 among roughly 2,200 U.S. adults per month, as well as “Return toNormal” trend data that leverages weekly surveys of 2,200 U.S. adults. It also draws from an international survey conducted in March 2022 among roughly 12,000 adults in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United Kingdom. The interviews were conducted online, and the data was weighted to approximate respective populations of adults based on gender, educational attainment, race and region. Top-line results from all surveys have a margin of error of up to +/-3 percentage points.
About the author
Lisa Whalen previously worked at Morning Consult as an automotive and mobility analyst.
