The 2016 Society of Automotive Analysts’ Automotive Outlook Conference was held at the Gem Theatre on Sunday, January 10. This new venue was very well received. The topic today was “Disruptors and the Auto Industry.” Cars are used for work, transport, performance and status. Where do traditional vehicles survive? “We have to rule out urban areas. Rural areas will be strong with pickup trucks.” Luxury cars and performance/status vehicles evolves to family autonomous vehicles. “The luxury market share could see some expansion,” said Brian Johnson of Barclays via Skype. Shared autonomous vehicles (UBER without the dude) will be used downtown and the suburban metro areas.
Attendees
Welcome to the Auto Outlook Conference!
New SAA President Paul Wheeler
This year’s theme was “Disruptors
Michele Krebs from Autotrader
CNBC reporter Phil LeBeau
He set the stage for today’s discussion
Brian Johnson from Barclays
He spoke via Skype due to bad weather
Households are expected to have one vehicle instead of two
Mercedes’ F 015 autonomous car
Interior of the self-driving car
“Uber without the Dude”
It features a hydrogen tank in the rear
David Johnson from Achates
A new lower cost, fuel efficient engine from Achates
David Woessner from Local Motors
Their 3-D printed car from last year’s auto show
Q&A with David and David
Automotive News’ J. Ferron was the moderator
David Liniado from Cox Automotive
“Running water never grows stagnant”
He is Vice President, New Ventures at Cox Automotive
Liniado discussed their new FlexDrive program
J. Ferron read questions from the audience
Q&A with David and David
Martha Blue from CarGurus
She described the new car buying site
CarGurus makes car shopping easier
70% of their searches are on mobile devices
Steve Kiefer from General Motors
Charles Kettering was head of research at GM
He offered a short history of GM
GM released the EV1 in 1996
That led to the Chevrolet Volt in 2010
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt
GM’s Steve Kiefer
He talked about the Chevrolet Bolt with an electric range of 200 miles.
Kiefer also discussed GM’s investment in Lyft
J. Ferron read the questions from the audience.
Q&A with Martha, Steve and David
Q&A with Martha, Steve and David
Jim Sayer from UMTRI
He is a research scientist in the Human Factors Group
Gregg Garrett from CGS Advisors
“Are we brave enough to compete in the connected world?”
He is founder/CEO of the boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm
Several different industries have been disrupted
Phil Gott from IHS Automotive
“Urbanization as a disruptor?”
City leaders are working to solve congestion
Gott is a is Senior Director for IHS Automotive
1/3 of studied cities saw motorization declines
Alternative business models offer mobility services
