Consumers in Germany, UK, Outline Technology Preferences for New Vehicles
August 11, 2015 | IHSEstimated reading time: 5 minutes
As the rate of smartphone use in vehicles continues to grow rapidly in nearly every major market globally, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are rushing to integrate and incorporate design and connectivity elements into new vehicles to address the market demand and desire among consumers. More than 85 percent of new car intenders in Germany and the United Kingdom have a smartphone, according to recent research from IHS Automotive, a global provider of critical information and insight to the automotive industry and part of IHS, Inc.
A recent report, Apps in the Car 2015, includes regional preferences from a recent consumer study conducted by IHS Automotive. More than 4,000 vehicle owners who intend on purchasing a new vehicle within the next 36 months were surveyed, representing four key automotive markets – the U.S., China, Germany and the United Kingdom.
“Across the UK and Germany, we saw very similar results, though not exact,” said Colin Bird, senior analyst, automotive software, apps and services at IHS Automotive. “Consumers in these countries rely on their phones for in-vehicle connectivity and use a variety of apps while driving. Our research identifies many trends that can help foster further development for technology in vehicles sold in these countries.”
Samsung devices most preferred; Various in-vehicle uses reported
Among new vehicle intenders in Germany, Samsung smartphones led the way with 49 percent of respondents, indicating Samsung as the brand they owned and used most often. Apple ranked second at just 21 percent. In the UK, ownership of Samsung and Apple devices were nearly equal with Samsung, edging out Apple by just a percentage point margin (34 percent Samsung to 33 percent for Apple). Respondents from the UK also showed the largest variety of smartphone brand ownership in the survey, demonstrating an opportunity for vehicle app integration ecosystems that cater to a wider variety of devices, according to IHS research.
Operating systems also varied, with 67 percent of German consumers reporting Android use compared to just 21 percent for iOS systems. In the UK, findings were not as dramatic, though Android led the way with just over 50 percent of respondents compared with just 30 percent iOS users.
Respondents in the UK overwhelmingly (more than 80 percent) indicated that using their smartphone while driving is distracting, while just over 75 percent of respondents in Germany found it distracting. Interestingly, just over 60 percent of respondents from the UK indicated they prefer controlling their smartphone with in-vehicle voice controls, while nearly 80 percent of Germany-based respondents indicated they prefer to do so. In both countries, about 65 percent of respondents reported using their phone as a navigation aid for directions or points of interest while driving.
When it comes to using Bluetooth pairing to stream audio from a smartphone into the vehicle, less than 65 percent of respondents in the UK reported doing so, while more than 70 percent of respondents in Germany indicated doing so.
Consumers in the UK and Germany also indicated preferences for interacting with smartphones in the vehicle through an in-vehicle touchscreen and steering wheel controls, each of which were cited by more than 60 percent of respondents.
Carrier and data plans vary by country
Eighty-three percent of respondents in the UK indicated their mobile phone package included a data plan, while just 60 percent of respondents in Germany reported having one. This could be a sign that German respondents rely more heavily on wi-fi networks when they travel with their phones, suggesting that embedded connectivity might be of more value in Germany. Alternatively, UK-based respondents may be apt to use tethered infotainment apps and CE telematics more often.
More than 70 percent of respondents subscribe to a monthly mobile plan, with less than 30 percent indicating they have pre-paid or pay-as-you-go plans. When asked about carrier use, top mobile carriers were very competitive among UK-based respondents, with O2 having 25 percent share, Vodafone at 18 percent and EE used by 17 percent among respondents.
In Germany, however, T-Mobile led among carriers, with 25 percent share of the market for respondents. O2 and Vodafone followed closely behind, with 22 and 21 percent of respondents, respectively.
AM/FM radio and CD players not dead yet; Streaming and Internet radio gaining
When asked about radio and infotainment systems, 60 percent of respondents in the UK indicated that they would prefer a radio or infotainment system designed by Apple or Google, while 55 percent of respondents in Germany agreed with that sentiment.
Somewhat surprisingly, AM/FM radio and CD and DVD players were cited by more than 65 percent of respondents as their listening method of choice in the UK, while respondents based in Germany indicated similar preferences. Across all respondents, more than 50 percent indicated listening to music that was stored on their mobile device was among the top choices for in-vehicle listening. Internet/streaming radio and HD radio followed in the rankings.
Nearly 40 percent of respondents in the UK report said they subscribe to a premium streaming radio or on-demand streaming service, while less than 30 percent of German responders do.
According to the IHS report, top Internet radio/audio apps in the UK and Germany include Spotify with 33 percent share among respondents in each country, followed by iTunes Radio with just 13 percent in both the UK and Germany. However, Google Play was close behind, with 12 percent of respondents in Germany noting that as the app they use most often. Google Play netted just 6 percent interest among UK respondents, however.
Additional regional findings from the report will be forthcoming. The full comprehensive report is available for purchase here.
About IHS Automotive
IHS Automotive, part of IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), offers clients the most comprehensive content and deepest expertise and insight on the automotive industry available anywhere in the world today. With the 2013 addition of Polk, IHS Automotive now provides expertise and predictive insight across the entire automotive value chain from product inception—across design and production—to the sales and marketing efforts used to maximize potential in the marketplace. No other source provides a more complete picture of the global automotive industry. IHS is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs about 8,800 people in 32 countries around the world.
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