ASK AN AUTO CARE FUTURIST: WHERE DO AUTO DEALERSHIPS, CAR MAINTENANCE GO FROM HERE?

What do auto care futurists and keynote speakers say the future of auto dealerships and car maintenance are going to hold? Quite a lot – go figure, given all the new technology, emerging trends and disruptive innovations that are beginning to flood the space. Of course, if you’re not in the business of auto dealers or running a service provider, you’d be forgiven for not being able to recipe many of these shifts off the cuff. Being auto care futurists and keynote speakers, we thought we’d make the process of trendspotting a little easier by providing a handy rundown of some of the things that were currently seeing happening in the space. For reference, let’s take a brief sneak peek at a few of the trends and innovations shaping the future of auto care:

• Electric vehicles – EVs have fewer mechanical parts and require less traditional maintenance like oil changes. But they will require more specialized high-voltage electrical system care.
• Self-driving vehicles – According to auto care futurists and keynote speakers, will need sensor calibrations and computer software updates as maintenance tasks. Diagnostics will rely heavily on data from autonomous systems.
• On-demand mobile maintenance – More convenient on-site services leveraging mobile apps and networks of freelance mechanics.
• Remote diagnostics – Vehicles will increasingly have telematics systems that transmit diagnostic data to repair shops and manufacturers in real-time.
• Predictive maintenance – Using AI and data analysis to predict repair needs before problems occur and prevent breakdowns – as you can imagine, today’s best-known auto care futurists and keynote speakers have a lot to say on this particular topic and trend.
• Smart sensors – More intelligent sensors on vehicles will provide early warning signs and detect issues before mechanical failure happens.
• Eco-friendly systems – New filters, rechargeable battery systems, lower emissions components, and recycled parts will become more common.
• Multi-material construction – Increased use of aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastics will change repair requirements as vehicles get lighter. Adhesives may replace welding.
• Personalization – More customization of maintenance schedules and services tailored to individual driver behavior through connected car data.
• Subscription services – Paying monthly fees for bundled maintenance packages vs. paying per repair job.
• Autonomous delivery – Drones and robots handling tasks like fluid top-offs, tire rotations, and component delivery to improve convenience or so auto care futurists tell us.