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Top 3 Trends in the Automotive industry Managers Should Definitely Be Watching

Let’s face it: the need to travel from point A to point B may have been why the automotive industry began, but it's certainly not its main focus any longer. Nowadays, instead of focusing solely on the car’s ability to drive, many companies have chosen to follow market trends both in the creation of the product as well as the use of it which have altered the industry and our interpretation of it forever.

From cars that drive themselves and manufacturing tools that run on their own all the way to cars that are powered in natural ways and nomadic vehicles that provide green living to the average young entrepreneur, there are many ways to look at our new automotive industry. However, in this article, we will be focusing on three that prove time and time again that they matter very much to the average consumer. After all, the future is now but it’s what we do to make it better that matters.

1. Technological Automation in Manufacturing

For decades, the need to have employees in the manufacturing process has not only made efficiency levels far more difficult to assess, but has also made the typical production floor far more dangerous and risky. However, through the use of devices such as computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which automate tools and control them on the production floor to create consistency and reduce work accidents, the manufacturing process has never been as quick or safe.

Furthermore, there are even ways to integrate smart devices with CNC machining which can allow the user to schedule maintenance times, identify angles, plan cut courses, and use data to research the durability of the product or materials used to make said product. You can also analyze this data separate from the machine by utilizing Excel, and with Excel University’s excellent article that showcases 23 Excel tips, you can turn your production process into an efficient money-making machine instead.

Although the technology may currently still be misunderstood by most, the automotive industry could utilize this technology in an effective manner, and ultimately this transition would provide managers and owners with the reliability and safety standards they strive for. However, as a quality manager, it is not only important to look out for what is effective for the business, but what is also effective for society and your consumers.

2. Eco-Friendly Initiatives

With our environment slowly dwindling due to our careless actions and need for fossil fuel, it only makes sense that eco-friendly initiatives have taken hold. In the automotive industry, this means cars that utilize green energy, as well as cars that are comprised of more effective and recyclable materials, are key. For instance, many car companies are currently in the process of using more aluminum in car bodies and less plastic throughout car interiors and on exteriors. “Why?”, you might ask. The truth is that aluminum is lightweight, which reduces the amount of fossil fuel wasted by the car in gas over time. Furthermore, aluminum can be easily recycled, which makes it an ideal choice for car bodies.

Similarly, plastic use has drastically increased in the last few years alone in the form of water bottles, beauty products, bags, wrappers, and more. Although there are many quality articles that focus on tips for using less plastic, the automotive industry as a whole has taken it upon itself to not only transform the look of the modern car, but also ensure that these vehicles are created with far less plastic and more recyclable items as well.

Furthermore, many companies have begun to focus on creating renewable green energy that is efficient, cheap, and does not affect the environment in a negative way. For instance, Elon Musk has been running his electric Tesla sports car company for years now in hopes of transitioning individuals into electric car owners. Lastly, Musk has also spent a large portion of his time and effort of autonomous vehicles — and for good reason. Not only are these cars effective and reliable but they also could significantly reduce the amount of human error accidents that occur each and every day on the road.

3. Autonomous Transportation

With the first autonomous vehicles being tested in cities across the nation at this very moment, it can be difficult to understand why various people are afraid of their coming. However, as you delve deeper into the issue as a manager, you begin to realize that autonomous vehicles could very well edge out trucking companies, taxis, deliveries, and any other driving positions out there.

Given current commercial truck driving information, the process to become a truck driver is difficult and tedious. Despite this, multiple deaths happen every year because of careless truckers who fall asleep on the road or drive recklessly. These vehicles could not just reduce these risks, but put them to rest altogether, making comfortable as well as important likewise.

Furthermore, many people in the tech industry fear that autonomous vehicles when connected to the cloud can be utilized as weapons through remote terrorism. In these cases, individuals can use other weak devices such as cell phones to their advantage and create a gateway with which to hack into their car’s systems, take over the vehicle, and then drive these vehicles into large groups of people, companies, or gatherings.

In the end, no matter what trend happens in the automotive industry, it is our job as managers to to prevent these changes from negatively affecting our employees and their lives. After all, the key to success is given unto us from the start; it just takes time to find the vehicle it matches.