# Socialized Auto The automotive industry adapts to millennial purchasing habits. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Oct 20, 2015 | Category: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/auto-and-motor-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/socialized-auto ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Socialized Auto trend? **Socialized Auto:** As a generation that's grown up in an era of social media, millennials enjoy showing off their lifestyle and taste preferences. The need to share and impress their peers has strongly informed the way millennials make purchasing decisions. Understanding this unique millennial attribute, the automotive industry is developing socially optimized vehicles and campaigns that very clearly recognize and reward consumers for their choices. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 7 to Oct 28, 2015 - Published: Oct 20, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Socialized Auto trend ### Social-optimized Vehicles The automotive industry is recognizing and rewarding consumers for their choices through vehicles and campaigns that are socially optimized and are informed by millennials' need to show off their lifestyle and taste preferences. ### Social Media-Enabled Cars Cars are being designed with technology such as connected LED panels and multimedia systems that target the new generation of millennial car buyers, offering added features that tailor a big purchase to their specific interests. ### Automobile Social Media Apps Automobile social media apps are being created to allow drivers to stay connected to their social media accounts while driving, without being distracted, relying on voice commands and alerts to ensure user safety on the road. ## What the Socialized Auto trend means for industry ### For Automotive The automotive industry is recognizing changing consumer needs, such as the need for social media-driven vehicles and eco-friendly ride-sharing platforms, and developing innovative designs and marketing campaigns accordingly. ### For Technology Advancements in technology are enabling the creation of innovative car systems, such as remote-powered parking functions and social media-enabled car cameras, allowing car manufacturers to offer unique and exciting features that appeal to consumers in the digital age. ### For Marketing and Advertising The need for marketing and advertising campaigns that resonate with millennials has led to the development of socially-optimized campaigns that recognize and reward consumers for their choices, creating opportunities for marketers to engage with this growing demographic. ## Workshop question In what ways has social media effected your business? What other ways could you utilize social platforms to connect with your consumers? ## Trend signals for Socialized Auto Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 55%, activity 41%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 55% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Socialized Auto trend 5 featured examples from Aug 7 to Oct 28, 2015. - [Socially-Fuelled Car Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-camera-system): The Waylens Car Camera System Lets Drivers Share Scenic Road Footage (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunity for the car industry to integrate multimedia functionalities and social media connectivity into their vehicle offerings. - [Social Media-Enabled Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nissan-concept): This Nissan Concept Car is Covered in Connected LED Panels (Category: Autos) Implication: The automotive industry can leverage social media integration in vehicles to enhance the driving experience and engage with tech-savvy consumers. - [Remote-Powered Parking Functions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parking-function): The BMW Series 7 Parking Feature is Accessible With a Display Key (Category: Autos) Implication: The introduction of remote-controlled parking and enhanced gesture and voice commands in the BMW 7 Series presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the automotive industry. - [Automobile Social Media Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-media-app): The Meople.Connector App Brings Social Media Into Ford Drivers' Cars (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate social media apps with car manufacturers' systems to enhance in-car connectivity and offer unique features to drivers. - [Rewarding Eco Rideshares](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-emission-vehicle): Uber Shows Off the Renault Zoe as an Zero-Emission Vehicle (Category: Autos) Implication: Integrating more zero-emission vehicles into ridesharing fleets and promoting their use. ## Recent trend clusters - [Racing Homage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/racing-homage) (Autos) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Autos - [French Retro City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/french-retro-city-cars) - [Factory-Backed Performance Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heritage-performance-centers) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) - [Electric Luxury Grand Tourers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-price-ev-sedans) All articles: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos)