MANSFIELD, Ohio — While many of us may feel like we live at work these days, the cars we use to get to and from work might come in a close second.
In fact, a Nielsen study conducted by Harris Poll found that Americans spend an average of 6.5 hours in their cars each week.
Unlike in years past, however, today’s consumers have more amenities than just air conditioning and heated seats to enhance their driving experience as they go about. In addition to going wearable, tech has gone drivable — and the connected car is rapidly transforming how people take to the roads.
In fact, it’s also having an impact on the way they feel and act when they’re behind the wheel. Connectivity comes in an array of varieties, ranging from vehicle-to-driver communication to Internet connectivity. And in most cases, connected drivers are happy drivers.
An overwhelming majority of connected drivers (approximately 9 in 10) are satisfied with their drivable tech. A recent survey covered six connected features, and about 90 percent of the respondents said they’re at least somewhat satisfied with each feature.
Tech is often viewed as something that appeals more to younger generations than older ones. When it comes to cars, however, parents are often just as much in favor of connectivity — if not more so — than their kids. They also responded more positively than non-parents with respect to both usage and attitude toward connected cars.
Connected parent drivers are substantially more likely to have all six connected car features than non-parents. They’re also much more likely to use their features for at least half of their rides — possibly because they say their connected car features make driving more fun.
Of the American drivers polled for the recent study, an underwhelming percentage currently own or lease connected cars. However, about 30 percent do drive cars that have at least one connected feature, the most common (18 percent) being “vehicle-to-driver communication.”
In the case of personal transportation, connected drivers are much more positive than negative about the tech features in their vehicles. There is, however, a minority of connected drivers that says the features are distracting, complicated and even stressful.
And about one in three say the connectivity isn’t a good value and perhaps more of a Despite the minority of naysayers, the overwhelming majority of connected drivers have expressed enthusiasm for their smart wheels.
As tech continues to infiltrate our lives, there’s little doubt that car connectivity will grow and continue to drive consumers into auto showrooms to see the latest and greatest innovation.
