The 2021 Digital Auto Report

Accelerating towards the new normal

Viewpoint

The mobility ecosystem is entering a fragmented future, with different adoption patterns and use cases by region

The tenth annual Digital Auto Report is a global consumer survey with a focus on the U.S., EU, China plus a new view on Japan. It consists of a quantitative market outlook until 2035 based on detailed research and interviews with key industry executives at OEMs and suppliers, leading academics and industry analysts.

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Rising market attention on sustainability and competitive pressure from maturing digital disruptors are heavily impacting auto executives’ strategy towards connected, electric, automated and smart mobility

  • 97% of Chinese consumers want to change their mobility behavior to improve their CO2 footprint in comparison to 70% in Germany and 52% in the U.S. Switching to an electric vehicle is stated as preferred measure to achieve this in China and in the US whereas Germans would like to do more walking and cycling
  • The total vehicle parc projections until 2035 stagnate in Europe (-0.6% p.a.) and Japan (-0.9% p.a.) vs. a marginal growth in the US (+1.3% p.a.) and stronger growth in China (+3.9% p.a.) which is driven by growing mobility demand, customer preferences for an own car and vehicle disposal rate
  • Vehicle connectivity is advancing with 50% of total parc connected in Europe by 2025 (US by 2023, China by 2029). While OEMs are reaching a critical size with their connected service customer base, they still struggle with reliable service delivery at scale (over-the-air update functionality)
  • E-mobility is at its inflection point in Europe driven by strong government incentives and regulations with 27% BEV share of new car sales in 2025 ahead of China (19%), US (6%) and Japan (5%). The slow charging infrastructure build-up will soon become the biggest growth hurdle
  • The Automated driving outlook is similar to the previous year: in passenger transport, the technology will penetrate the market with a range of specific use cases that are difficult to scale
  • Despite consumer reluctance to share vehicles or rides during the pandemic, smart mobility modes beyond vehicle ownership are expected to grow in the long-term

As the mobility ecosystem is adjusting to the new normal, many auto players will need to reboot their CASE strategies

Connected - Importance of on-demand car functions for consumers
Germany
U.S.
China

Air condition activation

67%
78%
86%

Advanced headlight functions/ performance

59%
60%
70%

Extension of battery range (e.g. +80 km)

56%
59%
90%

Seat heating activation

49%
43%
56%

Increase of engine power (e.g. +50 hp)

45%
64%
79%

Traffic jam pilot

43%
33%
84%

Parking pilot

28%
23%
81%

Automated valet parking

24%
17%
69%
Automated - Willingness to pay for automated driving
Germany
U.S.
China
84%
willingness
79%
willingness
98%
willingness

USD
0

16%
21%
2%

<1.2T

41%
34%
15%

1.2-2.4T

19%
23%
27%

2.4-3.6T

9%
7%
22%

3.6-4.7T

4%
4%
17%

4.7-5.9T

7%
4%
10%

5.9-7.1T

1%
2%
3%

>7.1T

3%
4%
3%
Smart Mobility - Mobility pattern after Covid-19 restrictions (%)
 
 
Germany
U.S.
China
Bike

Own bike

19 49 31
8 39 53
26 34 41
By foot

By foot

20 67 12
9 49 43
32 41 27
Own car

Own car

27 64 9
31 64 5
59 29 12
Public transport

Public transport

7 40 53
3 33 64
16 37 47
Shared micro-mobility

Shared micro-mobility (e.g. scooter)

3 14 83
3 22 76
19 35 47
Car-sharing

Car-sharing

5 18 77
2 37 61
11 31 59
Taxi, Uber, ...

Taxi, Uber, ...

4 20 76
2 32 66
15 38 46
Legend
Electric - Deterring factors for using an electric car
Germany
U.S.
China
66%
Battery
60%
Fuel station
58%
Dollar currency
13%
Availability
59%
Battery
53%
Fuel station
56%
Dollar currency
25%
Availability
73%
Battery
78%
Fuel station
28%
Dollar currency
26%
Availability
Dollar currency
Relatively high purchase price
Battery
Insufficient driving range with one battery charge
Availability
Limited choice and availability of cars
Fuel station
Concerned about sufficient charging options/stations

As the mobility ecosystem is adjusting to the new normal, many auto players will need to reboot their CASE strategies

Connected
Connected
Automated
Automated
Smart Mobility
Smart Mobility
Electric
Electric

Contact us

Jörg Krings

Jörg Krings

Partner, Strategy& Germany

Dr. Andreas Gissler

Dr. Andreas Gissler

Partner, Strategy& Germany

Jonas Seyfferth

Jonas Seyfferth

Director, Strategy& Germany

Dr. Jörn Neuhausen

Dr. Jörn Neuhausen

Director, Strategy& Germany

Hartmut Güthner

Hartmut Güthner

Director, Strategy& Germany

Dr.-Ing. Claus Gruber

Dr.-Ing. Claus Gruber

Director, Strategy& Germany

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