Baby-booming EVs: Every Nissan Leaf should look like this?
A customized Leaf at the Tokyo Salon Show.
Should the Leaf entice baby boomers or Gen Yers?
Couple of interesting stories on Straightline regarding the Tokyo Salon Auto Show. One claims the Honda CR-Z hybrid is the hottest thing at the Tokyo Show. Hybrids are hipper than ever – at least in Japan.
The other features a picture that is probably the coolest Nissan Leaf I’ve seen, and that makes me wonder about the current direction of plug-in vehicles. Why are plug-ins designed more for people closer to their first walker than to those closer to their first new auto sale?
OK. I admit that’s a stupid question. Money.
Still, electric cars – not even hybrid cars – are set to dominate the mainstream anytime soon. Not this decade. That’s for sure. Besides, apart from the plethora of studies on the subject, the Toyota Prius has pretty much demonstrated the potential of baby boomers and a big rush towards fuel economy. Future shock plus basic economics equals limited potential.
That means the future of electric cars is all about Gen Y.
It’s often said that Japan is far more technologically trendy than the US, especially regarding consumer tech trends. And right now hybrid cars are hot in Japan.
Not only did the Prius set auto sales records in Japan in 2010 – helped by tax credits of course – but modifying hybrids like the CR-Z is possibly the hottest auto trend in Japan. But its not just about looks, it’s also about performance, efficient-driven performance. But does eco-modification have legs, particularly in places like the US?
It’s inevitable. But it won’t be baby boomers leading this trend.
Boomers are BIG on technology guys. They’re forward looking! They are prolific computer and cell phone and GPS… users.
Many are at the point where they can afford to get what they really want (within reason) but they eschew “bleeding edge” and are on the more conservative side of early adoption.
They like technology that has become dependable and reliable.
not bleeding edge… but not yet mature either.
I have to agree Dahc.
I can’t base the average baby boomer’s attitudes by looking at my own. As a hybrid owner, I am in the 3 percent group. Among baby boomers, I am probably even less than 3%.
This is not your target audience for change. You will have to go after the younger generation….
“oh Contrare…. empty nester boomers LOVE the idea of electric cars…”
do you really believe that, Larry?
I don’t. There is definitely a percent of baby boomers that will buy these vehicles, but i doubt much more than what buy hybrid cars. Even if you get up to 10 percent of baby boomers you still aren’t close to critical mass.
Unless we get lucky, we simply aren’t going to plug-in our current vehicles. Massive change will be required. Essentially, the role of the car in society is changing – has to change – especially in America. It’s much easier to build this change around the future of the market rather than those gearing up to leave the market, especially when that younger generation is already showing great changes towards the way they look at cars.
firstStreet-
I don’t know, I think there are pretty drastic differences between the gen y and baby boomer consumer segments. Ask any auto executive and they’ll tell you that overall they are having a hard time understanding this cohort.
Nonetheless, if you want to make something trendy, you don’t look towards baby-boomers.
In many ways, I think there are a lot of similar features that both the baby boomers and the younger generation want to see in a car. Alternative fuel, comfort, exterior and interior styling, and performance are all important factors for these demographics. I think in the future the body styles will vary from compact to SUV, but they will all be more efficient/hybrid.
Most of my friends who made these comments are age 35 or older, but they all still have kids at home.
As for myself. I am one of those baby booming empty nesters that loves electric cars…
oh Contrare…. empty nester boomers LOVE the idea of electric cars…
Hasn’t that always been the driver of ‘car-people’?
Anyway, it just seems the youngest generations are always the trendsetters. I think EVs – at least mainstream EVs – are kind of like rock and roll back in the ’50s and ’60′s. They’re too different. The parents can’t stand it, but the kids are more open-minded. Plus, once its trendy, then they have to have it.
Likewise, kids are much more open to smaller and lighter cars – the kinds of vehicles the help make EVs more cost-effective.
I know the older I’ve become the harder change has been to accept. The kids, however, change over night.
I continue to hear comments from my friends who won’t buy a hybrid or EV until the make them look more like sports cars, or add a convertible option…..