Many Consumers Expect Traditional OEMs, Not Technology Companies, to Develop Self-Driving Vehicles

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Nov 24, 2015) - The age of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) is rapidly approaching: nearly 60% of consumers in cities around the world are open to them, according to a new survey by the World Economic Forum and The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The poll of more than 5,500 consumers in ten countries is the largest global survey dedicated to SDVs -- also known as autonomous vehicles (AVs) -- to date. It offers a deeper understanding of consumer sentiment about the future of automobiles and provides unique insights into the adoption of SDVs by consumers, and the support of SDVs by policy makers, in cities worldwide. Acceptance of SDVs is highest in emerging markets, such as China, India, and the United Arab Emirates; it's around 50% in the US and the UK; and it's lowest in Japan and Germany. Furthermore, despite a lot of media conversation about technology companies developing the first SDVs, the survey findings show a strong preference by consumers for traditional OEMs to lead in the development and piloting of these vehicles. 

"This survey is reassuring news for traditional automotive companies," said Nikolaus Lang, a BCG senior partner based in Munich. "Our results indicate that consumers primarily expect OEMs to play a leading role in the rollout of self-driving vehicles, with technology players such as Apple or Google contributing their relevant expertise."

Traditional OEMs Lead the Development of SDVs

The survey showed that a significant number of consumers -- 46% -- want traditional OEMs, rather than any other type of company, to lead the development of SDVs, with respondents in France, Germany, and Japan reporting the highest levels of trust in traditional OEMs. Of that group, 69% report a preference for the vehicles to be produced through a partnership between an OEM and a technology company. In addition, a majority of consumers expect SDVs to be electric or hybrid. The survey results bolster earlier research that identifies obstacles such as cybersecurity and regulations that all players involved in building SDVs will need to overcome together to develop win-win solutions.