Why future cars will be like smartphones on wheels
Summary
Software is set to become the dominant deciding factor in vehicle purchases in the coming years, both for autonomous driving features and in-car entertainment, automotive experts say. But the change may put traditional vehicle brands at a disadvantage, they warn, prompting more motorists to test-drive an electric car from an unknown manufacturer. (HANDOUT/ThoughtWorks) The automotive market had already begun to transform as consumers demanded more infotainment options, advanced assistive driving features, and better connectivity in cars, Thoughtworks software-defined vehicles head Michael Fait told AAP. Their demands, he said, placed particular pressure on legacy vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota, Mercedes and Volvo which had long focused on mechanical superiority rather than software development. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Of the new cars sold in Australia during the first half of 2024, 15 per cent were imported from China, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, though brands including BYD, MG and GWM were growing in popularity.