Gen Y consumers (age from 19 to 31) in the US have a strong affinity for hybrid vehicles, according to Deloitte's latest survey, making them potentially the generation that leads us away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
A strong majority (59 percent) of Gen Y respondents surveyed prefer an 'electrified vehicle' over any other type of car or truck. Moreover, Gen Y consumers heavily favour hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles (57 percent) over pure battery electric vehicles (very low at just 2 percent), or vehicles with a traditional gasoline-only powertrain (37 percent).
Gen Y consumers also view hybrid technology as proven and reliable. Almost 6 in 10 Gen Y respondents prefer a hybrid over any other type of vehicle, while a mere 2 in 100 prefer a pure battery electric vehicle – demonstrating that Gen Y is familiar and comfortable with hybrid technology, but yet with battery-only technology.
Gen Y consumers also prefer automobiles that are an extension of their social-media and digital lifestyles. In-dash technology is the most important part of a vehicle's interior for a majority (59 percent) of Gen Y respondents, with almost three-quarters (73 percent) seeking touchscreen interfaces. Gen Y consumers also rank smartphone applications as highly desirable in a new automobile (72 percent).
Is this a trend I see before me....
