German and UK consumers show keen interest in alternative powertrain options
Alternative powertrain options have become the subject of keen interest among consumers in the UK and Germany.
A study was carried out by J.D. Power and Associates, conducted before and after the release of market values, for measuring interest and purchasing preferences in emerging automotive technologies. The results revealed that UK and German consumers have very high preferences for the hybrid-electric and clean diesel technologies. Below are a few highlighted points from the survey.
• The study points out that consumers’ preference for hybrid-electric technology in Germany and the UK was sixth and fifth respectively before the price release. It jumped to second and first after the price release
• Preference for clean diesel technology in Germany jumped to 5th place from 12th; and to the first place from sixth in the UK after the price release.
• The study indicates that emerging technologies have got strong approval of the UK and German consumers, both for their price and other advantages.
Interest in 13 features, examined by J.D. Power pertaining to clean diesel, was much higher in the UK and Germany than in the United States. The marked difference in interest was attributed to preference for smaller cars by the consumers in Europe. Hybrid–electric technology is more conducive for smaller cars.
The study also revealed that the UK and German consumers’ preference for satellite radio was much lower compared to the U.S. consumers. According to Amy Jacobs, manager of emerging automotive technologies at J.D. Power and Associates, the gap is attributed to low penetration of the feature in the UK and German Markets and would improve with the entry of satellite radio providers in the near future.
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