60 new launches as part of the 2021 edition.
The Autofestival is traditionally a true hotspot for innovation. "This year, our partners will present no fewer than 60 new models," says Philippe Mersch, Chairman of the Fédération des distributeurs d'automobiles et de la mobilité (FEDAMO). For him, the innovation thing is a winning argument for the festival. "People come to the showrooms to see what new technology and innovative concepts are available. We know that and we try to put together an attractive and as broad as possible range of products every year accordingly," Philippe Mersch underlines.
A good vintage
Experts agree that 2021 will be a great year for innovations. The famous German magazine "autor motor sport" recently listed 161 new models for the current year: among them 50 SUVs and a large number of vehicles with hybrid or electric drive. Incidentally, the trend toward SUVs is also unbroken in Luxembourg. The same applies to the electric market, which is growing steadily.
When we talk about innovations, we inevitably think of digitization. In the automotive industry, this is taking place above all directly in the car. Connectivity is a keyword: a whole range of sophisticated technical solutions are now simply part and parcel of a new vehicle. "This is true regardless of the price range," as Philippe Mersch emphasizes. Connectivity has nothing to do with luxury. There is now a general trend toward networking vehicles. This applies to telecommunications and tracking, but also to the interaction with the dealership when customer service is needed. Not to mention the modern apps for connecting to new traffic control concepts, such as those being developed for so-called smart cities. The bottom line is that the future of the industry is clearly digital and increasingly high-tech oriented. Equipment such as distance radar, blind spot warning, sleep sensor, lane assistant, customizable driving modes, voice assistance, ambient lighting, parking and driving assistants are part of the car package for many.
Everything is becoming increasingly digital
Incidentally, customer service at car dealerships is also undergoing a digital makeover. Here, manufacturers and dealers are constantly developing new concepts to make life easier for consumers. Kevin Colas from AUTOPOLIS cites the example of "direct workshop feedback". In this application, the mechanic can communicate directly with the customer during a repair, explaining to him, in sound and vision, what needs to be done to the vehicle and how much it will cost. "This is more transparency and builds trust," Colas said. Other digital applications in the interest of consumers relate, for example, making appointments with the after-sales service or accounting.
