La tecnología automotriz está evolucionando rápidamente.

For most of the 20th century General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were the biggest companies in one of the world’s most important industries.  But as car trends have vastly changed from SUVs and gas guzzlers to economy sized cars and green machines, “Detroit’s Big Three” have seen their sales fall dramatically.  

Mercado automotriz hispano de EE. UU.

Another interesting trend in the automotive industry has been increased market segmentation by companies like Buick, who have created a niche in the Hispanic Market – through which they have increased sales by 83% in the past year.  Several popular car brands: Buick, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mazda, KIA, Cadillac, and Infiniti, are showing signs of continued growth within the Hispanic market.  Detroit’s Big Three are falling behind in niche categories as they have generally tended to market to a broader audience.  European brands have not been much better in increasing their sales to Hispanic consumers, but Volkswagen, MINI, and BMW are leading the leading the way into these growing niche markets by stepping up their marketing efforts.  On the other hand, Audi has increased their sales to Hispanics over the past year by 23.4%.

Automóviles asiáticos

Las marcas asiáticas también se están beneficiando de las ventas en categorías de automóviles de nicho, ya que ahora representan más del 60% del mercado hispano. Específicamente, las marcas asiáticas Toyota, Honda y Nissan están dominando las preferencias de vehículos nuevos entre los hispanos en los EE. UU. En 2010, el mercado automotriz hispano aumentó en más de 6,01 TP3T en los EE. UU., superando el promedio nacional del mercado automotriz de los EE. UU., que solo creció 4% durante los primeros 9 meses de 2010. Las compras de automóviles hispanos ahora representan 8,7% del mercado total de vehículos de EE. UU.

Tecnologías y modelos automotrices

BMW and Mini are leading the way in the automotive sector for more innovative technology to become standard in luxury vehicles. Technology that is being introduced by these companies with their 2011 models is focused on their consumer’s preferences in parking, safety, and satisfaction. The 2011 Mini Countryman features the Central Rail System, replacing the usual console; it offers specifically designed holders for your cups, mobile devices, audio devices, and other common items.  Mini’s typical small frame has been elongated and now offers generous leg room for all different drivers as well as a larger trunk space (12.2″“15.4 cubic feet and 41.0 cubic feet with the back seats folded down).

The BMW X3 is now in its second generation (first generation (2004-2010) and has gone high tech by offering such entertainment features as USB Interface, Bluetooth Audio Streaming, and their Navigation and Entertainment Server.  BMW has also gone to great lengths to improve the driver’s control when parking or at crowded intersections.  The rear view camera shows the driver what’s behind the car on the iDrive screen (displayed on the central console – to be used when backing up and maneuvering into tight spots), while beeping to alert the driver of a safe parking distance.  The “Top View” camera uses side and rear view camera to give the driver a bird’s eye view of the X3 and its surroundings.

El BMW Serie 6 Convertible cuenta con “neumáticos Run-Flat”. Estos neumáticos autosostenibles con refuerzos integrados permiten que los neumáticos que tienen una pérdida de presión de aire mantengan su forma y su pleno uso en conducción. De hecho, el conductor puede conducir con un neumático Run-Flat hasta 150 millas a velocidades reducidas, lo que hace que las condiciones para cambiar un neumático o esperar asistencia en la carretera sean mucho más convenientes para el conductor. En modelos selectos, BMW también ofrece “Visión Nocturna”, que integra el sorprendente sistema de apoyo visual de BMW para ver peatones o animales hasta 300 yardas por delante del automóvil, ¡en la oscuridad! Al activar una cámara de infrarrojos integrada en la parte delantera del BMW, los conductores podrán ver los posibles peligros en la carretera que se muestran en el monitor del sistema de navegación y evitarlos mucho antes de que sean visibles a simple vista.