The automotive industry braces for another tumultuous year. With a seismic shift from traditional to agency models, bricks-and-mortar to e-commerce, and internal combustion engines to connected electric vehicles (EV), the landscape transforms. Expect a surge in electric innovation as carmakers intensify their competition with Tesla and Chinese brands such as BYD, NIO, and XPeng. The pivotal question looms: Can traditional automotive giants adapt and flourish, or will consumers seek alternative avenues for a connected electric drive?

Discover the latest automotive trends!

Key Automotive Trends

Imagination stores

Imagination stores 62
AI-generated Nike concept store on Mars, Benjamin Benichou

New concepts for fantastical digital spaces unshackle retail stores from physical boundaries as brands are using innovative tech to transport shoppers to new destinations using metaverse tools. This direction explores new ways to engage the next generation of consumers, who are dreaming and living more and more in the digital space.

Why it's interesting
Brands are creating immersive, imaginative spaces that allow consumers to step into the company’s world and showcase creative flair and a preview of the future of ecommerce.

World-building brands

World building brands 36
Barbie x Joybird

A brand is no longer a distinct, static entity; it’s an all-encompassing universe. Creating a brand means creating the macrocosm that that brand occupies—and inviting consumers into it.

Why it's interesting

Consumer-brand interactions are moving from distinct, standalone touchpoints to interplay in all-encompassing worlds. Moving forward, Smith and Wilson said, brands will need to “place storytelling at the center of everything they create.”

Please provide your contact information to continue.

Before submitting your information, please read our Privacy Policy as it contains detailed information on the processing of your personal data and how we use it.

Related Content

Peach Fuzz Pantone Color of the Year 2024
Insight

The Future 100: 2024

Revealing the 100 trends that will change the world.
Read Article
F100 2024 VML com
Insight

The Future 100: 2024 - Key Trends Across 15 Industries

Our report unpacks actionable insights to inspire future growth
Read Article