BMW Dash - H 2014
Courtesy of BMWAutomakers are spending billions building into cars connectivity and other technologies that drivers don’t want and seldom use, according to a survey conducted by J.D. Power.
According to the 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Report, 20 percent of new-vehicle owners have never used 16 of the 33 tech features measured. The features most commonly cited as “never used” include automatic parking systems (35 percent), heads-up displays (33 percent) and built-in apps (32 percent).
According to the report, 14 technology features that 20 percent or more of owners do not want in their next vehicle include Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, which allow smart phones and tablets to be accessed and controlled through the car’s infotainment system.
Surprisingly, among members of the tech-savvy Generation Y surveyed, the number of features not wanted increased to 23 and included entertainment and connectivity systems.
The report suggests that drivers are less likely to embrace built-in technologies if they are not thoroughly explained to them by dealerships and if they are tightly bound to their existing personal tech devices.
“In many cases, owners simply prefer to use their smartphone or tablet because it meets their needs; they’re familiar with the device and it’s accurate,” said Kristin Kolodge, J.D. Power’s executive director of driver interaction and HMI research.
The report was based on responses from more than 4,200 vehicle owners and lessees after 90 days of ownership.
