Interview, Fireside Chat, Conference Presentation
Talks at GS – Julia Steyn: Car Sharing and the Future of Auto
- Over the next five years, General Motors and its major competitors are expected to evolve significantly into service businesses as consumers prioritize transportation solutions.
- The mobility sector is predicted to shift toward a service model where autonomous and electric vehicles serve as the backbone for fleet services.
- The company plans to deploy Chevrolet Bolts with a 250-mile range in ride-sharing contexts to resolve infrastructure "chicken and egg" problems by connecting utilities, charging station operators, and real estate.
- Autonomous vehicle engineering efforts are anticipated to converge with sharing technologies to create distinct offerings as autonomous technology expands from specific areas into daily lifestyles.
- Consumer expectations include diverse access choices ranging from Uber/Lyft for short trips to elevated access options for weekend travel.
- In the US outside coastal areas, continued reliance on trucks and cars is expected for some time due to land availability and varied environments.
- Billions of dollars are being invested in retooling to address disruption while building engineering and artificial intelligence capabilities.
- The new operational model enables technology iteration in months or weeks, contrasting with the traditional six-year manufacturing cycle.
- The target demographic for the new service brand is aged 20, 30, and 40, whereas the average age of the youngest existing automotive brands is in the mid-50s.