For many Millenials – commonly known as Generation Y – owning a car is becoming less of a priority, according to a recent article published on AOL Autos.
While many believe that the younger generation’s 82 million members are
simply “anti-driving,” the reality is that to them, cars are less of a
necessity and more of a luxury. The article cites the Great Recession as
a culprit – more young people are postponing adulthood and moving back
home to work menial jobs instead of landing careers right out of
college.
Teens also display a lack of desire to drive. A study conducted by the
University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute shows that
the percentage of 16-year-olds with a driver’s license has dropped from
46 percent in 1983 to 31 percent in 2008.
“Now the cell phone is the gateway purchase into adulthood,” said Sheryl Connelly, a futurist for Ford.
But for Gen Ys who are looking to get behind the wheel, they’re
primarily concerned with three vehicle characteristics: compact size,
sporty style and compatibility with technology. For example, both the
Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus have recently received stylish makeovers
and now include smartphone integration.
“[Millenials] have a very sophisticated eye, but they also want to know,
‘What else is the car going to do for me?'” said Connelly. “They’re
really into the multifunction device; they don’t wear watches because
they think of a single-function device as kind of a waste. So the car
has to be more than just transportation: ‘What else is it doing for me
other than getting me from point A to point B?'”
To read the original article, click here.