America Is Turning Away From Cars.

[Ty]

I think I'm going to have pizza for lunch. But, what does THAT have to do with anything in this thread.

 

[Sailor Dog]

Crazy as a...

 

[Lil4X]

Several sources that keep their ear to the ground for a living are saying that if you look at high-schoolers today you'll find a considerably altered "wish list" from those of earlier generations. Kids (or more accurately, their parents) are not buying cars at the rate they used to. These kids are perfectly happy to own some old clunker (if they own a car at all) so long as they can have the latest technology. Many of this demographic are buying new smartphones every few months - just to have the bragging rights to the very latest. Gamers have to have the latest gaming consoles, and the newest games to feed them. Many own tablets, and a few even own conventional laptops - all expensive gear, but financed by that portion of disposable income that used to fund the purchase of a car at an early age.

The newest millennials and post-millennials on the scene don't all share the love of cars that most of us of a certain vintage did. While today's 40-somethings burned for a new car when they were 16, there are now generations that are willing to take public transit, get a ride from friends, or even ride a bicycle . . . so that they can afford to buy the latest back-pocket technology. For many, the automotive hobby is no longer attractive. The car has become an appliance, suitable only for getting one from here to there. It's a quantum shift in our value systems when we spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone, plus the access fees, just to keep up with our friends'. Where we used to play with 302 Mustangs and SS Cameros, today they get attention from their peers by owning the newest electronic toys.

 

[Eliodude]

Several sources that keep their ear to the ground for a living are saying that if you look at high-schoolers today you'll find a considerably altered "wish list" from those of earlier generations. Kids (or more accurately, their parents) are not buying cars at the rate they used to. These kids are perfectly happy to own some old clunker (if they own a car at all) so long as they can have the latest technology. Many of this demographic are buying new smartphones every few months - just to have the bragging rights to the very latest. Gamers have to have the latest gaming consoles, and the newest games to feed them. Many own tablets, and a few even own conventional laptops - all expensive gear, but financed by that portion of disposable income that used to fund the purchase of a car at an early age.

The newest millennials and post-millennials on the scene don't all share the love of cars that most of us of a certain vintage did. While today's 40-somethings burned for a new car when they were 16, there are now generations that are willing to take public transit, get a ride from friends, or even ride a bicycle . . . so that they can afford to buy the latest back-pocket technology. For many, the automotive hobby is no longer attractive. The car has become an appliance, suitable only for getting one from here to there. It's a quantum shift in our value systems when we spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone, plus the access fees, just to keep up with our friends'. Where we used to play with 302 Mustangs and SS Cameros, today they get attention from their peers by owning the newest electronic toys.

Your comments are spot-on, and mirror my son's attitude towards vehicle ownership.

My 27 year old son works in a high level position with Google, and can easily afford any type of Car/SUV, but has no interest in vehicle ownership.

He grew up in an environment that gave him access to interesting vehicles including antique and special interest automobiles, but lost his enthusiasm for automobiles once he moved out of our house to attend college. He left his high school car at home, and eventually we sold it.

Currently, he views personal vehicle ownership as a burden, a poor use of money, and claims it's simpler for his lifestyle to use Zipcar, Uber, and public transportation.

Actually, Uber is wonderful. Even though I have several vehicles, I now use Uber 3 or 4 times a week. It's more convenient than driving myself in heavy traffic, and than looking for scarce parking spaces in Houston.

Time's are changing for vehicle manufacturers, look up the term "Peak Auto".

 

[Hotscoots]

The company that I work for eliminated the Company car in lieu of a fixed monthly car allowance . Also , my company gas card is now an expense reimbursement paid by the mile . Some of my peers are freaking out . But , buying an affordable car that gets good mileage will translate to additional income over a 5 year period .

 

[Eliodude]

Where we used to play with 302 Mustangs and SS Cameros,

'68 Shelby Mustang KR500 fastback.

 

[Eliodude]

Peter Lynch or a Warren Buffet or a Jeff Gundlach. One cannot teach highly intellectual, intuitive or instinctive thinking

Actually, I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Gundlach (Founder of Double Line Capital).

But, it is definitely possible to inspire and teach high intellectual, intuitive, and instinctive thinking!

 

[Sailor Dog]

Several sources that keep their ear to the ground for a living are saying that if you look at high-schoolers today you'll find a considerably altered "wish list" from those of earlier generations. Kids (or more accurately, their parents) are not buying cars at the rate they used to. These kids are perfectly happy to own some old clunker (if they own a car at all) so long as they can have the latest technology. Many of this demographic are buying new smartphones every few months - just to have the bragging rights to the very latest. Gamers have to have the latest gaming consoles, and the newest games to feed them. Many own tablets, and a few even own conventional laptops - all expensive gear, but financed by that portion of disposable income that used to fund the purchase of a car at an early age.

The newest millennials and post-millennials on the scene don't all share the love of cars that most of us of a certain vintage did. While today's 40-somethings burned for a new car when they were 16, there are now generations that are willing to take public transit, get a ride from friends, or even ride a bicycle . . . so that they can afford to buy the latest back-pocket technology. For many, the automotive hobby is no longer attractive. The car has become an appliance, suitable only for getting one from here to there. It's a quantum shift in our value systems when we spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone, plus the access fees, just to keep up with our friends'. Where we used to play with 302 Mustangs and SS Cameros, today they get attention from their peers by owning the newest electronic toys.

Makes my point exactly, Elio is like Apple...or any smartphone, tablet or laptop... adaptable, upgradable...and a cheaper alternative to clunker or even worse a two year old Honda Civic. Change out old tech for new almost as easily as downloads of apps for the phone. Instead of my nephews risking their lives on clunkers and old motorcycles, they will have most if not all of the safety features (my wife says more... roll cage, harness seat belts, etc) of a new model compact. I'll feel safer in the Elio than my 2003 Echo...but then... I rather spend money on tech while pushing 60!

 

[Lil4X]

Makes my point exactly, Elio is like Apple...or any smartphone, tablet or laptop... adaptable, upgradable...and a cheaper alternative to clunker or even worse a two year old Honda Civic. Change out old tech for new almost as easily as downloads of apps for the phone. Instead of my nephews risking their lives on clunkers and old motorcycles, they will have most if not all of the safety features (my wife says more... roll cage, harness seat belts, etc) of a new model compact. I'll feel safer in the Elio than my 2003 Echo...but then... I rather spend money on tech while pushing 60!

Point well taken. Technology is advancing so rapidly that the "options", particularly the electronics in the car become obsolete within a few months of purchase. Really, why replace the whole car to gain a few new features in the telematics? With Android and iOS becoming the default automotive electronics platforms, the new business model for the auto industry is quickly becoming a matter of selling new apps rather than selling new cars.

When you think about it, that looks like a win for the consumer, being able to keep a car for a hundred thousand miles or more while downloading the latest apps to provide new features. OK, some hardware upgrades may be necessary to take full advantage of the updates, but it's far better than throwing away a perfectly serviceable car just to get the new toys. Even styling seems to have taken a backseat to infotainment apps for your center stack. There are some spectacularly ugly automobiles out there that seem to be selling solely on the basis of their accessory electronics.

We've seen a real market shift being brought on by the adoption of common platforms. When my 2004 Lexus RX was introduced, the sat/nav system was a monumentally expensive option, but what made it worse were simple map updates on a data DVD that cost well over $200 at wholesale. The reason was that the OS and the data package had to be completely changed to update the system. Because the software/hardware was a product of Denso or one of the other automotive electronics vendors, they had you over a barrel - you either lived with outdated maps or you paid up.

Now I can buy a standalone GPS with lifetime free traffic alerts and map updates for under $100. There's no reason to think that other electronic gadgets won't go the same way. At this point I don't think your Elio will have this capability - at least for the 1Gen models, but maybe down the road I think we'll see a number of features that can be added by downloading a software package - giving your car the same customizability as your smartphone. It's a thought.

 

[Coss]

Point well taken. Technology is advancing so rapidly that the "options", particularly the electronics in the car become obsolete within a few months of purchase. Really, why replace the whole car to gain a few new features in the telematics? With Android and iOS becoming the default automotive electronics platforms, the new business model for the auto industry is quickly becoming a matter of selling new apps rather than selling new cars.

When you think about it, that looks like a win for the consumer, being able to keep a car for a hundred thousand miles or more while downloading the latest apps to provide new features. OK, some hardware upgrades may be necessary to take full advantage of the updates, but it's far better than throwing away a perfectly serviceable car just to get the new toys. Even styling seems to have taken a backseat to infotainment apps for your center stack. There are some spectacularly ugly automobiles out there that seem to be selling solely on the basis of their accessory electronics.

We've seen a real market shift being brought on by the adoption of common platforms. When my 2004 Lexus RX was introduced, the sat/nav system was a monumentally expensive option, but what made it worse were simple map updates on a data DVD that cost well over $200 at wholesale. The reason was that the OS and the data package had to be completely changed to update the system. Because the software/hardware was a product of Denso or one of the other automotive electronics vendors, they had you over a barrel - you either lived with outdated maps or you paid up.

Now I can buy a standalone GPS with lifetime free traffic alerts and map updates for under $100. There's no reason to think that other electronic gadgets won't go the same way. At this point I don't think your Elio will have this capability - at least for the 1Gen models, but maybe down the road I think we'll see a number of features that can be added by downloading a software package - giving your car the same customizability as your smartphone. It's a thought.

The electronics in the Elio are separate pieces, and not really part of the vehicle. The HUD they just started offering is actually powered by your phone for different parts (Maps, Nav, etc.) The Skyz system is a separate tablet - that you provide.
What electronics in the Elio are you talking about?