The car market has gone through some distinct changes in recent years and this is especially relevant in the luxury end of the market. Following the end of pandemic restrictions, luxury cars were in short supply – either manufacturers hadn’t been able to keep pace with demand because their workforce wasn’t readily available or crucial components were held up as global freight realigned itself.
Today, the situation has changed again with an upturn in supply, but there are new trends that anyone who is thinking about purchasing a new luxury model should consider. We take a look a the top three trends below.
The rise of sustainable driving
To begin with, more and more luxury car owners are seeking out more sustainable vehicles. Not that long ago, it was all about power and V8 engine technology but with the acceleration speeds offered by modern electric cars nowadays, this is simply no longer the case.
Luxury car owners don’t necessarily want to compromise on interior design touches, but if they have the choice between a hybrid and a petrol guzzler, many will choose the more sustainable option. Emphatically, this trend isn’t about lower running costs but much more to do with the environmental credentials of luxury car ownership.
The rise of autonomous driving
Artificial intelligence systems are now widespread in the UK’s luxury car market. Even if your current car cannot drive itself completely, it can probably park or notify you when you are making an error behind the wheel, at least. AI will play an ever greater part in British road use in the years to come to aid in the safety and ease of driving for its users.
Such technological advancements are being taken into account during MOTs and One Garage; Broadway Autocentres is a fine example of where MOT services are already handling the various technological advancements of modern luxury models. Luxury cars are already being designed for the UK market that will require very little driver intervention on motorways and soon this is likely to extend to autonomous driving on busy city streets, too. The annual car inspection regime will be updated in due course, have no doubt.
The rise of the super-rich
As well as the technological advances of electric and autonomous motoring, there is another factor at play, at least at the top end of the luxury car market. This is because luxury car brands have, for years, produced vehicles for the mass market. As the country’s super-rich have wanted to distinguish themselves more and more from this trend, so they’ve increasingly turned to smaller, less established car-making brands. Those car brands that have held on to their niche identity, such as Bugatti or Bentley, to name just two examples, look set to dominate the market, at least for the elite car-buying public for which money is no object.
