Global mobility is shifting from ownership to access, anchored by commuting demand yet reshaped by technology and affordability. EV intent is strong (49%) but conversion lags (7% ownership), highlighting cost barriers. Autonomous adoption remains gradual, with only 33% confident, favoring ADAS over full autonomy. Meanwhile, subscriptions (13–21%) signal growing demand for flexible financing, redefining strategies for automakers, mobility platforms, and financial institutions.
Delivery
This report comes in PPT.
Key findings
Commuting anchors vehicle demand
Daily commuting is the structural backbone of vehicle demand. 57% of global respondents commute five or more days weekly; 43% rely on personal cars.
The automobile remains central to work, school and caregiving. Consumer priorities centre on reliability, convenience and low operating cost.
Flexible finance redefines access
Financing behaviour is shifting decisively. Subscription adoption ranges from 13% to 21% globally, consistently outpacing leasing.
Consumers prioritise predictable monthly payments and lower commitment. This signals a structural move from asset ownership towards usage-based mobility bundled with services.
Strong EV intent, constrained adoption
Sustainability sentiment is strengthening electric vehicle (EV) demand. Globally, 49% of consumers want EVs for sustainability, showing a clear marketing point for manufacturers.
However, only 7% of car-owning households have EV access, highlighting a gap between intent and adoption, driven by cost, infrastructure and confidence barriers across regions.
Assistance leads; full autonomy remains distant
Autonomous mobility remains in early acceptance. Only 33% of consumers are confident in fully autonomous vehicles.
Demand concentrates on driver assistance: parking support and adaptive cruise, rather than full autonomy. Incremental features that reduce stress while preserving control define near-term adoption.
Why read this report?
Key findings
Three forces reshaping the automotive and mobility landscape
One in two workers commutes every weekday globally, anchoring personal car demand
Personal cars anchor commuting globally but shared mobility reshapes demand unevenly
Three forces reshaping global mobility
EV ownership scales steadily as affordability infrastructure shape regional trajectories
EV growth led by educated youth but slowed by cost barriers
Six segments reveal where EV marketing yields the highest return
Purchase price is the dominant EV barrier; sensitivity rises with age
Emerging markets lead sustainable EV adoption willingness
BYD wins Gen Z and Millennials in Mexico through TikTok cultural participation strategy
Targeted growth levers to convert EV intent into market share gains
Level 3 scaling accelerates while Level 4 remains constrained globally
One in three global consumers are confident in fully autonomous vehicles
Gen Z and Millennials drive early autonomous mobility openness
Grab and WeRide build Southeast Asia's first robotaxi corridor through phased co-trial
Gen Z prioritises safety-led driver assistance over full autonomy
Strategic implications for autonomous vehicle adoption
Subscription expands vehicle financing options
Monthly car subscriptions gain ground but remain a secondary choice
Sixt accelerates flexible vehicle subscription backed by Stellantis partnership
Connected car feature payment models diverge across regions by value perception
Subscription model reshapes automotive revenue and ownership models globally today
Recommendations
Mobility shifts from affordability-driven growth to ecosystem and service-led future
Questions we are asking
Definition: Light vehicle sales by level of autonomy (0-5)
Definition: Generations
Automotive and Mobility
All vehicles captured by Euromonitor's vehicle volume sales data, i.e. light vehicles -passenger cars and light commercial vehicles combined. Medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses are not covered.
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