Five Ways the Auto Industry Could Change in 2022

As one of the fastest-growing industries in the world right now, the automotive industry is at the forefront of new technologies and manufacturing practices. In many ways, this industry is leading the way into the future and driving innovation.  So, how will the industry change in 2022? Here are five predictions about the automotive industry in the year ahead.

Increased Focus on Computing at the Edge

The smarter automobiles get, the more computing power they will need. After all, the ultimate goal is for our cars to double as chauffeurs, right? In order to drive themselves, vehicles will need a lot of information. But it’s not enough for advanced vehicles to have access to data located in the cloud. Instead, the vehicles themselves need the ability to process data at the source. That is where edge computing comes in.

Vehicles need the capability to quickly convert information collected from cameras, radars, and antennas into raw data, then make swift and accurate driving decisions. So, how will this need influence vehicles released for the 2023 model year? Centralized system-on-chips (SoCs). As new model cars enter the market, we’ll see fewer SoCs spread throughout the vehicles and more powerful centralized SoCs processing more data, faster.

New Advancements in Cybersecurity

As one can imagine, the more advanced the computers in our cars get, the more security they will need to ensure they operate as designed. This means that moving forward all members of the automotive industry will take even more interest in vehicle-cyber-security, as well as manufacturing security.

Increased Use of Digital Twins

Digital twins are a powerful tool that allows car designers to simulate the steps of developing a new vehicle, bypassing the need to wait for one development process to be completed before beginning the next. It also allows designers to identify potential problems in software, electrics, and mechanical parts before they are made in physical form. This ability to detect issues early means that manufacturers save money and time.

Electric Vehicles Are Poised to Take the Baton from Their Gas-Fueled Predecessors

Increased consumer interest in electric vehicles and a deeper understanding of what consumers want from these vehicles may make 2022 the year of the EV. Manufacturers have made strides in solving issues related to the cost of manufacturing and available materials. This means electric vehicles will be available at more varied price points giving them the potential to finally go mainstream.

Will The Share-Economy Reach the Automotive World?

In many sectors, we’ve seen consumers shift away from the desire to own certain products and prefer instead to simply have access to these products should they need them. Will vehicle ownership go the same way?

Some startups are already providing fleet-owned vehicles that can be scheduled on an as-needed basis mitigating the cost of ownership for many consumers. However, early adoption of this solution will be heavily influenced by public concerns surrounding COVID-19 and other pathogens, and how such solutions are marketed.

For the time being, new car sales are on track to increase this year. And, Strong Automotive Merchandising offers a full line-up of digital and traditional marketing products to keep you in front of today’s shoppers.