Teens Not Interested In Cars? What Does This Bode For The Auto Industry...

As if auto sales had not crippled the auto industry enough, it seems that consumer's are not really into the whole car thing anymore.  What do I mean? The LA Times had an interesting piece over the weekend that is beginning to show the decoupling between youngsters and cars.

So, what will this bode for the automotive industry?  According to this piece, it seems that the industry in the Far East is beginning to suffer because of it. Check it out below:

"Is the love affair between cars and young people starting to cool?

That could be the case, according to a new study of auto-related online commentary among teens and young adults by J.D. Power and Associates.

The market research firm analyzed hundreds of thousands of online conversations held from January to August on auto-related websites such as Autoblog, on personal blogs and on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook...."
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david999 - 10/14/2009 10:33:29 AM

+1 Boost

The Japanese knew this 2 years ago.
This is also why BMW is making more cars for the older generation (new GTs).

Willis - 10/14/2009 11:06:31 AM

+1 Boost

"The Japanese knew this 2 years ago. "


Huh?

Joe_Limon - 10/14/2009 10:34:36 AM

+3 Boost

considering that to do this study they used social marketing tools that weren't available a decade ago, I don't think you can pull any conclusion from the numbers... aside from people thought cars meant more to people then they thought?

Joe_Limon - 10/14/2009 11:03:06 AM

+3 Boost

if you do a study that shows you x amount of people like x amount of product x. You cannot label it as people liking product x less. You can however label it as people liking product x less then expected?

Agent009 - 10/14/2009 11:17:28 AM

+2 Boost

I see some validity to it though. My next door neighbor just turned 16 and has a car in the garage. However he is not interested in taking on the responsibility of gas, insurance or even getting a license.

He can hop a ride with his friends for now and says he will worry about it when it is time to go off to college. His biggest interests are girls and social tools. Sadly only a few of his friends have a car as well. To them it isn't important yet.

At 14 I could not wait to get a get a learners permit and start driving. At 15 I learned to drive a clutch and bought my first car when I was 16.

Shredmo - 10/14/2009 12:12:02 PM

+2 Boost

Restrictions put on young drivers as of late probably makes driving less appealing for 16-18 year old "kids".

EL34 - 10/14/2009 12:30:56 PM

+2 Boost

It's because cars are so expensive.

Joe_Limon - 10/14/2009 12:52:05 PM

+3 Boost

Cars have always been expensive. That's why most younger people buy used ones.

LUXCAR32 - 10/14/2009 1:14:19 PM

+2 Boost

Ok you show me a single teenager who doesn't want a car (outside of NY).

LexSucks - 10/14/2009 1:19:03 PM

+2 Boost

All Teens or just American Teens.

AgentOrange - 10/14/2009 1:42:06 PM

+1 Boost

Sure, they're only interested in sex and drugs right now, but give 'em a few years and they'll want to be tooling around in a fancy smancy automobile.. ;)

thetruth01 - 10/14/2009 3:12:04 PM

+4 Boost

Is Autospies gonna trot this story out every year?

truckman - 10/14/2009 6:26:21 PM

+2 Boost

If the teens think that cars will get them laid they will be very popular, today most kids think with there hormones and will buy any crap that sells a dream. Sadly this is how our 4x4s became watered down

rxh8me9000 - 10/14/2009 11:32:07 PM

+1 Boost

The economy is messed up. Less teens have jobs.College,dorms,clothing,etc are more expensive while most people are getting paid less at jobs. Also,most kids that use a car to go to school,or a bar on the weekends buy used Hondas or used cars for cheap that are cheap to maintain.Makes sense.

ThierryHenry14 - 10/14/2009 11:45:26 PM

+2 Boost

Just because teens are not "interested" in cars does not mean they will not get one, or need one. The auto industry will be just fine...

jspecrsx - 10/15/2009 11:44:23 AM

+1 Boost

I think teens these days do not think driving is that important or less of a want. Before the internet/social networking/cell phones teens/kids would have to leave their house to go hang out/talk with their friends, this would lead to the desire to have a license and get a car. Now kids keep in touch with their friends through the internet and social networks like myspace, facebook, and twitter 24/7 on the internet and cell phones. I think having this capability removes some of their desires to be able to drive or own a car simply because they hang out with their friends on these social networks. On a side note: people are constantly updating their twitter, facebook, or myspace page throughout the day. THis takes up most of their time to even think about getting a car

Type707 - 10/15/2009 5:48:50 PM

+1 Boost

TEENS are far more interested in being Draculas. Eversince that Twilight movie came out...a lot of bandwagon shows e.g. Vampire Diaries are popping out of no where.