A tecnologia automotiva está evoluindo rapidamente.

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 automotivo hispânico dos EUA

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%.

Automóveis Asiáticos

As marcas asiáticas também estão a beneficiar das vendas em categorias de automóveis de nicho, uma vez que representam agora mais de 60% do mercado hispânico. Especificamente, as marcas asiáticas Toyota, Honda e Nissan estão dominando as preferências de novos veículos entre os hispânicos nos EUA. Em 2010, o mercado automotivo hispânico aumentou mais de 6,0% nos EUA, o que está ultrapassando a média nacional do mercado automotivo dos EUA, que só cresceu 4% durante os primeiros 9 meses de 2010. As compras de carros hispânicos agora representam 8,7% do mercado total de veículos dos EUA.

Tecnologias e modelos automotivos

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.

O BMW série 6 conversível apresenta “pneus Run-Flat”. Estes pneus autossustentáveis com reforços integrados permitem que os pneus que apresentam perda de pressão do ar mantenham a sua forma e a plena utilização da condução. Na verdade, o motorista pode dirigir com um pneu Run-Flat por até 150 milhas em velocidades reduzidas, tornando as condições de troca de pneu ou espera por assistência rodoviária muito mais convenientes para o motorista. Em modelos selecionados, a BMW também oferece “Visão Noturna”, que integra o incrível sistema de suporte visual da BMW para ver pedestres ou animais até 300 metros à frente do carro – no escuro! Ao ativar uma câmera infravermelha embutida na frente do BMW, os motoristas poderão ver os possíveis perigos da estrada exibidos no monitor do sistema de navegação e evitá-los bem antes que sejam visíveis a olho nu.