Demotorization
The L.A. Times has an interesting article about Gen Y’s apparent disinterest in car culture.
Between January and August, the market research firm analyzed hundreds of thousands of “conversations” on auto-related sites such as Autoblog, personal blogs and social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
The goal was to gauge the perceptions of Generation Y (those born in the 1980s and early 1990s) toward the automotive industry in general, as well as toward specific vehicle brands. The analysis divided Gen Y into teens (12-18) and “early careerists” (22-29).
According to J.D. Power, “Online discussions by teens indicate shifts in perceptions regarding the necessity of and desire to have cars.”
One interesting comment added:
My boys, ages 20 and 17, have zero interest in cars, getting a license, or owning one, despite our urging. Don’t know what it is, but it’s there. They both ride bikes all over.
Is this truly a generational change or just a reflection of the economy?