Drivers often place an emphasis on safety features but results of a new Accenture study shine light on a shift in their preference. Technology is playing a greater role in what drivers are looking for in safety features, with 91 percent saying they want a lane-change or blind-spot warning in their car.<\/p>\n
The study polled 7,000 drivers across the globe, and while the blind spot warning system was the overwhelming favorite, respondents had some other preferences as well. Specifically, 83 percents said they wanted a feature that would automatically contact a vehicle recovery organization in the event of a breakdown, and 75 percent would like a car that calls the nearest emergency service providers if there is a crash.<\/p>\n
While technology for saftey's sake is important to many drivers, it is not the only area where they want the latest gadgets. In particular, most respondents said they want improved communication capabilities, with 63 percent saying they would like car-to-car communications and 58 percent prefer to read or dictate emails while driving.<\/p>\n
"In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems are quickly becoming part of mass-market car-buying as the latest IVI technologies inside today’s connected vehicle are increasingly as much a determinant of sales as design, fuel efficiency and performance," said Marcello Tamietti, managing director of Accenture’s Connected Vehicle group. "As consumer desire for IVI capabilities grows, it will be important for automotive manufacturers to seek partnerships that can offer a sustained, seamless IVI experience."<\/p>\n