Allianz experts: Technology and consumers are main drivers behind changing mobility habits

According to the new “Allianz Risk Pulse”, Allianz mobility experts agree that advanced systems are revolutionizing the vehicles and increasing road safety, new consumer emancipation is leading to new mobility business models and the individually owned car is loosing some of its attractiveness due to considerations of affordability, traffic congestions and less interest in cars than a generation ago.

“When it comes to purchasing mobility, consumer decisions now increasingly include issues such as the carbon footprint and social responsibility,” says Clem Booth, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE.

Especially people in cities are turning to car sharing, using bicycles or public transport, and relying more and more on e-shopping and home delivery. The UK has noted a decreased need for shopping trips (National Travel Survey, 2011) and Europe notes less interest in young people to obtain drivers licenses (IFMO Study, 2011).

Allianz mobility experts - professionals from car and fleet insurance, claims handling, assistance services, market management and so forth – agree that these trends are already prevalent in the USA and Europe, and it is only a matter of time before they reach Asia, Africa or Latin America as well.While car sales are still booming in Asia or South America, these countries too will see economic and social pressure on this trend soon, say the authors of the new “Allianz Risk Pulse”. For example, Jakarta, Indonesia, is a growing city with more than 20 million inhabitants in the greater city region. The fight against congestion has led to regulation which requires at least two or more passengers per vehicle.

“Whereas car sales in Asia are increasing steadily and North America is stable, the European car market has been shrinking continually since the beginning of the financial crisis,” says Michael Heise, Chief Economist of Allianz SE.

Rising petrol prices, less cash in the wallet, but also climate-awareness and easier access to alternatives to owning a car are changing individual mobility habits in Europe and North America.

The car industry, including manufacturers and insurers, are currently focusing on technological innovations that will make driving safer and simpler. Technologies include driver assistance systems, telematics blackboxes, the e-call, which will be mandatory as per 2015 in the EU. 

The “Allianz Risk Pulse” authors believe that the simple solutions offered by new technologies often count the most. “The increasing number of smartphones has made the usage of car-sharing a lot more convenient and attractive by simply displaying the location of vacant and accessible cars.” 

Find more information about what Allianz experts believe to be the “Future of individual mobility” in the new Allianz Risk Pulse.

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