Blog of RENAULT NISSAN Alliance

Just how much our smartphones rule our lives has been revealed for the first time. Car buyers admit they can like everything about a new model – the styling, price, fuel economy and how it drives – yet will still walk out of the showroom because it won’t connect properly with their beloved mobile phone.

 

A study*, used by Nissan to understand the importance of developing state-of-the-art infotainment systems in crossovers such as the Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail, reveals:

·         28% of new car buyers prioritise car connectivity over other features, such as fuel efficiency

·         13% would not buy a car that’s not connected to the internet

·         20% would switch to another car brand for better connectivity

·         That rises to 41% for drivers who spend more than 20 hours a week in their car

 

The research has led to significant investment by Nissan to make sure phones integrate seamlessly – vital as demand for data and downloads expands. Leading the European team is Patrick Keenan… known within Nissan as ‘the man with 40 phones’.

Patrick’s priority is to ensure that, when it comes to consumer tech, Nissan is always one step ahead of the game. His team uses a network of industry contacts to predict future trends, as well as ensuring that the latest Nissan dashboard hardware and software works with the vast majority of existing and older handsets.

 

Based at Nissan’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield, UK, Patrick’s desk drawers are packed with dozens of phones, which he uses to develop and fine-tune connectivity. He makes and receives hundreds of test calls a day as he works on future Nissan vehicles.

 

Part of the future automotive landscape is Autonomous Drive. Nissan is already establishing itself as a global leader in the emerging technology, and ‘ProPilot 1.0’ (single-lane autonomous highway driving) will debut in Europe on the Nissan Qashqai during 2017.

 

Working closely with its Alliance partner Nissan, Renault is developing a new suite of connectivity applications that will help drivers of autonomous vehicles stay connected socially and professionally.

 

Read the full press release here.

 

* McKinsey and Company, Connected Car: Automotive Value Chain Unbound