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Car users’ concerns to define interior of fully autonomous cars, citing 5th Global Automotive Consumer Survey by Asahi Kasei

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Asahi Kasei's 5th Global Automotive Consumer Survey reveals key insights about customer expectations for fully autonomous vehicles across Japan, China, Germany, and the United States. The survey highlights that car users remain conservative about autonomous technology, with most preferring to retain manual control options and expressing safety concerns.

A silent cabin emerged as the most valued interior feature, with 50% of respondents prioritizing this aspect. This is particularly relevant as 25% of BEV users report excessive noise as their main complaint. The survey indicates that primary activities in autonomous vehicles would be listening to music (56-66% across regions) and passenger conversation, rather than sleeping or working.

Regarding sustainability, Western markets emphasize recyclable materials and sustainable production, while Asian markets focus more on drivetrain technology. Notably, 35% of respondents in Germany and the USA would switch brands for more sustainable options.

Il 5° Global Automotive Consumer Survey di Asahi Kasei rivela importanti intuizioni sulle aspettative dei clienti riguardo ai veicoli completamente autonomi in Giappone, Cina, Germania e Stati Uniti. Il sondaggio evidenzia che gli utenti di automobili rimangono conservatori sulla tecnologia autonoma, con la maggior parte che preferisce mantenere opzioni di controllo manuale ed esprime preoccupazioni per la sicurezza.

Un abitacolo silenzioso è emerso come la caratteristica interna più apprezzata, con il 50% degli intervistati che dà priorità a questo aspetto. Ciò è particolarmente rilevante poiché il 25% degli utenti di BEV riporta un rumore eccessivo come principale lamentela. Il sondaggio indica che le principali attività nei veicoli autonomi sarebbero ascoltare musica (56-66% nelle varie regioni) e conversazioni tra passeggeri, piuttosto che dormire o lavorare.

Per quanto riguarda la sostenibilità, i mercati occidentali enfatizzano materiali riciclabili e produzione sostenibile, mentre i mercati asiatici si concentrano maggiormente sulla tecnologia del powertrain. È interessante notare che il 35% degli intervistati in Germania e negli Stati Uniti cambierebbe marca per opzioni più sostenibili.

La 5ª Encuesta Global sobre Consumidores Automotrices de Asahi Kasei revela importantes perspectivas sobre las expectativas de los clientes respecto a los vehículos totalmente autónomos en Japón, China, Alemania y Estados Unidos. La encuesta destaca que los usuarios de automóviles se mantienen conservadores acerca de la tecnología autónoma, con la mayoría prefiriendo conservar las opciones de control manual y expresando preocupaciones sobre la seguridad.

Un habitáculo silencioso surgió como la característica interior más valorada, con el 50% de los encuestados priorizando este aspecto. Esto es especialmente relevante ya que el 25% de los usuarios de BEV reportan un ruido excesivo como su principal queja. La encuesta indica que las actividades principales en vehículos autónomos serían escuchar música (56-66% en las distintas regiones) y conversaciones entre pasajeros, más que dormir o trabajar.

En cuanto a la sostenibilidad, los mercados occidentales enfatizan materiales reciclables y producción sostenible, mientras que los mercados asiáticos se centran más en la tecnología del tren motriz. Cabe destacar que el 35% de los encuestados en Alemania y EE. UU. cambiaría de marca por opciones más sostenibles.

아사히 가세이의 제5차 글로벌 자동차 소비자 조사는 일본, 중국, 독일, 미국에서 자율주행차에 대한 고객 기대에 관한 주요 통찰을 제공합니다. 이번 조사는 자동차 사용자가 자율 기술에 대해 보수적인 입장을 유지하고 있으며, 대부분이 수동 제어 옵션을 유지하기를 선호하고 안전에 대한 우려를 표명하고 있음을 강조합니다.

가장 가치 있는 내부 기능으로 조용한 실내가 떠올랐으며, 응답자의 50%가 이 점을 우선시하고 있습니다. 이는 BEV 사용자의 25%가 과도한 소음을 주요 불만으로 보고하고 있어 더욱 중요합니다. 조사에 따르면 자율주행차에서의 주요 활동은 음악 감상(지역별 56-66%)과 승객 간 대화가 될 것이며, 잠을 자거나 일하는 것보다 더 많이 이루어질 것입니다.

지속 가능성 측면에서 서구 시장은 재활용 가능한 소재와 지속 가능한 생산을 강조하는 반면, 아시아 시장은 구동계 기술에 더 중점을 두고 있습니다. 특히 독일과 미국의 응답자 중 35%가 더 지속 가능한 옵션으로 브랜드를 전환할 의사가 있다고 밝힙니다.

La 5ème enquête mondiale sur les consommateurs automobiles d'Asahi Kasei révèle des informations clés sur les attentes des clients concernant les véhicules entièrement autonomes au Japon, en Chine, en Allemagne et aux États-Unis. L'enquête met en avant le fait que les utilisateurs de voitures restent conservateurs vis-à-vis de la technologie autonome, la plupart préférant conserver des options de contrôle manuel et exprimant des préoccupations en matière de sécurité.

Un habitacle silencieux s'est avéré être la caractéristique intérieure la plus valorisée, 50 % des répondants accordant la priorité à cet aspect. Cela est particulièrement pertinent, puisque 25 % des utilisateurs de BEV rapportent un bruit excessif comme leur principale plainte. L'enquête indique que les principales activités à bord des véhicules autonomes seraient d'écouter de la musique (56 à 66 % selon les régions) et de converser entre passagers, plutôt que de dormir ou de travailler.

En matière de durabilité, les marchés occidentaux mettent l'accent sur les matériaux recyclables et la production durable, tandis que les marchés asiatiques se concentrent davantage sur la technologie des groupes motopropulseurs. Il est à noter que 35 % des répondants en Allemagne et aux États-Unis seraient prêts à changer de marque pour des options plus durables.

Die 5. Globale Automobilverbraucherumfrage von Asahi Kasei offenbart wichtige Erkenntnisse über die Erwartungen der Kunden an vollständig autonome Fahrzeuge in Japan, China, Deutschland und den USA. Die Umfrage hebt hervor, dass Autofahrer in Bezug auf autonome Technologie konservativ bleiben, wobei die meisten manuelle Steuerungsoptionen bevorzugen und Bedenken hinsichtlich der Sicherheit äußern.

Ein stillen Fahrgastraum hat sich als das wertvollste Innenraummerkmal herauskristallisiert, wobei 50% der Befragten diesem Aspekt Priorität einräumen. Dies ist besonders relevant, da 25% der BEV-Nutzer über übermäßigen Lärm als ihr Hauptbeschwerde berichten. Die Umfrage zeigt, dass die Hauptaktivitäten in autonomen Fahrzeugen das Musikhören (56-66% in den verschiedenen Regionen) und die Gespräche zwischen Passagieren wären, anstatt zu schlafen oder zu arbeiten.

In Bezug auf Nachhaltigkeit betonen westliche Märkte recycelbare Materialien und nachhaltige Produktion, während asiatische Märkte mehr Wert auf Antriebstechnologie legen. Bemerkenswert ist, dass 35% der Befragten in Deutschland und den USA bereit wären, die Marke für nachhaltigere Optionen zu wechseln.

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DÜSSELDORF, Germany & NOVI, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fully autonomous cars will become mobile living rooms, allowing car manufacturers to reimagine the future of car interiors. In its fifth annual survey, the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei asked car users in the four major automotive markets about their expectations and concerns regarding fully autonomous vehicles and their perception of sustainability. Customer preferences for interior design, features, and usage scenarios offer the automotive industry valuable hints about what the car of the future should look like.

Asahi Kasei Car Survey 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)

Asahi Kasei Car Survey 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)

The results of Asahi Kasei’s fifth global Automotive Consumer Survey present meaningful information about what customers in the four major automotive markets (Japan, China, Germany, and the United States) expect from autonomous vehicles and how they would spend their time in one.

Distrust in technology
Car users are still conservative regarding the operation of a fully autonomous car; a retractable steering wheel and pedals are not considered valuable to most respondents. This confirms the results of the last survey from 2022, which found that even in fully autonomous vehicles, a large proportion of users in Germany, the USA, and China prefer to have a steering wheel and brake pedal for optional manual control. In Japan, one in two share this outlook. In Germany and the USA, providing a manual control option could help increase acceptance of fully autonomous cars.

In addition, two out of three car users in Germany, the USA, and China stated they would still observe traffic while in autonomous mode—activities while in the car, such as watching movies or playing games, are at the bottom of the list (see Figure 1). This is another indication that car users today have safety and trust concerns about fully autonomous cars. These sentiments will profoundly define the interior design of the first generations of fully autonomous vehicles.

Silent cabin for communication and listening to music
When asked about the most valued interior aspect of an autonomous car, one out of two respondents mentioned “silent cabin” (see Figure 2). This speaks to the woes of many battery electric vehicle (BEV) users; almost every fourth user of a BEV mentioned “too much noise while driving” as the most annoying aspect of the driving experience. While the BEV itself is quieter than a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE), the noise of wind, tires, gears, and motors—sounds that are typically suppressed by the engine noise—becomes more prevalent. In fully autonomous electric vehicles, and with the ability to engage with other activities while commuting, silence will even become more important for customers.

Looking at activities while riding in an autonomous vehicle, listening to music and podcasts is the primary activity of car users worldwide while driving, with 66% in the USA, 61% each in China and Japan, and 56% in Germany. Talking with other passengers is equally high in ranking, with sleeping or working as less important, highlighting the need for tables or lie-flat seats.

Perception of sustainability differs among regions
Car users no longer define a “sustainable vehicle” only by its drivetrain technology but also by its carbon footprint in production, easily recyclable materials, and overall sustainable production along the entire value chain. Buyers’ understanding of sustainability is growing, and the relevance of this topic in the purchasing process has increased in recent years.

Respondents in the Western markets define a sustainable car by its use of recyclable materials and sustainable production along the value chain. Meanwhile, for car users in China and Japan, the drivetrain technology primarily defines a sustainable car (see Figure 3). This topic is becoming more relevant for the purchase decision process, particularly in Western countries, with 35% of all respondents in Germany and the USA indicating they would switch their car brand to a more sustainable manufacturer to support greener mobility.

About the Asahi Kasei Automotive Consumer Survey

This report summarizes key findings of the fifth edition of Asahi Kasei’s annual trend survey regarding car users’ purchasing decisions and preferences related to materials and features for the future of vehicles. Conducted in December 2023 via online interviews, Asahi Kasei asked a total of 4,158 car users across the four automotive core markets: Germany (1,074), USA (1,077), China (1,007), and Japan (1,000).

From its first edition in 2019, the survey has been conducted in cooperation with market research institute SKOPOS from Cologne, Germany.

About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its founding in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 49,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its Material sector, comprised of Environmental Solutions, Mobility & Industrial, and Life Innovation, includes a wide array of products from battery separators and biodegradable textiles to engineering plastics and sound solutions. For more information, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/.

Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon-neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.

Europe Contact:

Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH

Sebastian Schmidt

sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu

North America Contact:

Asahi Kasei America Inc.

Christian OKeefe

christian.okeefe@ak-america.com

Source: Asahi Kasei

FAQ

What are the main concerns users have about fully autonomous vehicles according to Asahi Kasei's 2023 survey?

The survey reveals that users remain conservative about autonomous operation, with most preferring to retain manual controls like steering wheels and brake pedals. Two-thirds of users in Germany, USA, and China stated they would still observe traffic while in autonomous mode, indicating ongoing safety and trust concerns.

What is the most desired interior feature for autonomous vehicles in 2023?

According to the survey, a silent cabin is the most valued interior aspect, with one out of two respondents prioritizing this feature, particularly important for BEV users who report noise concerns.

How do regional perspectives on sustainable vehicles differ according to the survey?

Western markets (Germany and USA) define sustainable vehicles by recyclable materials and sustainable production, while Asian markets (China and Japan) primarily focus on drivetrain technology.

What activities do users prefer in autonomous vehicles across different regions?

Listening to music and podcasts is the primary preferred activity (56-66% across regions), followed by talking with passengers. Activities like sleeping or working ranked lower in preference.

What percentage of Western consumers would switch car brands for sustainability?

35% of respondents in Germany and the USA indicated they would switch their car brand to a more sustainable manufacturer to support greener mobility.

ASAHI KAISEI CRP UNSP/ADR

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