Understanding the Automotive Industry’s Digital Transformation




The tendency toward digitization has emerged. For clients, everything has become conveniently accessible, from apparel to estate planning. Since the market is always changing, digitization in the automotive sector has become essential. Digital tools must be used in manufacturing and sales if someone wants to dominate the automotive sector. By embracing and implementing digital transformation in their industries, numerous businesses and people have already optimized their processes. The use of digital technologies in cars will significantly rise over the next few years.

 

You have come to the right place if you want to learn more about the automotive digital revolution but are unaware of it or don’t know much about it.

 

Overview of the automotive industry’s digital transformation

 

Utilizing or exploiting digital tools and technology to improve operational efficiency and boost customer interaction is known as “digital transformation” in the automotive business. Automobile manufacturers have begun using digital tools in manufacturing, marketing, and retailing as a result of the disruption that digital technology has caused in the automotive sector. The car sector has gradually made progress toward enabling the physical and digital worlds to coexist. Since the digital transformation of the automobile sector has been emphasized by many large, well-known organizations, one cannot advance without being inventive.

 

What is Automotive Manufacturing’s Digital Transformation?

Simply described, it is a technique for implementing digital tools and procedures that would improve industrial efficiency and cost less in manpower. The digital transformation of the automotive industry makes it possible to streamline production. Automation and robotics are already used in manufacturing by car firms. Digital technologies now make it possible to keep an eye on the machinery and spot problems or errors before they arise.

 

The manufacturing process is given more emphasis through digital transformation, which also enables production planning optimization and the determination of whether quality has to be improved.

 

What is Automotive Retail Digital Transformation?

Nowadays, those who are interested in buying cars acquire information from many digital sites. Automotive retailers may now provide clients with a unique and interactive experience thanks to automotive digital transformation. Through the use of digital tools, merchants may offer improved user experiences on online platforms. Because of the interactive tools offered by digital transformation, this facilitates attracting and keeping new clients.

 

Automotive Industrial Digital Transformation: Its Importance & Benefits

You already know that digitization is essential for expanding your company in the automotive sector. Businesses may now access more clients who are interested in purchasing cars thanks to the automotive digital transformation. However, they have also been able to shorten the manufacturing process and lower production costs. Automotive industry participants must contend with fierce rivalries. So, the secret to winning this race is invention.

 

Automotive and Industrial Digital Transformation’s Advantages

 

Thanks to digital transformation, it is now much simpler for businesses in the automotive sector to adopt new manufacturing technology and track what their rivals are up to.

 

If you’re still not convinced that the automobile industry can benefit from digital transformation, perhaps the following information will persuade you:

 

1. Being present on online platforms

Retailers in the automobile sector can more easily reach a larger audience thanks to a strong online presence. Customers today are all online, so having the correct tool and plan is essential.

 

2. Improved Client Experience

You must offer your customers a distinctive experience if you want to keep them interested. Utilizing digital tools and technologies aids in the creation of customer satisfaction strategies. Customers now have a better in-car experience thanks to some cars’ built-in connectivity and infotainment systems.

 

3. Enhanced product quality

The use of digital tools greatly simplifies quality control during the manufacturing process. It enables real-time data collection and enables producers to spot faults and make the necessary corrections. Finding the manufacturing quality issue and making recommendations as needed is made simpler by digital simulation and virtual data.

 

4. Discretion

More open communication between clients and dealers is made possible in the automotive sector by digital tools. Customers can now access every single car detail online thanks to the automotive industry’s digital transformation, regardless of their physical location.

 

5. Revenue Increase

You gain a competitive edge by having a strong online presence. They have a lot greater chances of getting contacted by potential clients if you put your car listing online. A website that has been properly optimized may get more favorable reviews.

 

6. Operational simplification

By enabling real-time data monitoring and analysis, enhancing resource usage, and increasing productivity, automation and robotics increase overall efficiency.

 

Digital Transformation’s Effect on the Automotive Industry

In the old-style automotive sector, manual and direct labor was preferred more. At the time, everything needed a human worker and mind, from manufacturing to marketing to retailing. Car manufacturing used to take longer than it does now since everything, from designing and assembling the engine to the rest of the vehicle, required a manual workforce. Based on what the manager could physically observe, choices were made on what modifications to the manufacturing process were necessary. Since producing automobiles on a larger scale required more time and effort than it does today, the cost of production was higher than it is now.

 

 

Automotive Industry’s Digital Transformation and Its Effects

The information on how much input is needed for manufacturing and the output numbers were all recorded in a book, which occasionally got lost or had some incorrect figures added by humans. Even after production, door-to-door sales were used for marketing and retailing, informing, and locating additional clients by personally approaching various people. But gradually, the manufacturing sector developed, and new devices were created that automated the task. But the automobile sector started to undergo a digital transition later when various software was developed in particular to comprehend how effectively the car engine was functioning.

 

the beginning of digitization

In the contemporary digital era, visual data and digital tools began to play a significant role in new initiatives, leaving the conventional paradigm in the dust. Manufacturers began to change, and as AI and a lot of new software developed, new automobile designs and models began to appear on the market. Manufacturers were able to be more inventive and create more effective designs because of the car industry’s digital transition.

 

Following this, the car retail sector also embraced digital tools. To reach more clients and increase interaction, auto dealers started exhibiting their list online and email-targeting customers. Many automotive selling websites started offering improved experiences like a virtual car studio or 360-degree car photography in an effort to engage them.

 

 

Trends in the Automotive Industry Towards Increasing Digitization

Few individuals enjoyed buying cars online in the 2000s, but with the COVID outbreak, digital trends and preferences have grown recently.

 

1. An increase in online searches

Auto buyers always keep themselves informed of new developments in the industry. They conduct in-depth research using a variety of web resources. After 2020, searches for “Car sales” will have increased by over 60% globally and will continue to rise. Worldwide, searches for “best car under” have increased by up to 80%. The preference of about 64% of automobile buyers is for online research before making a purchase.

 

2. Favorability of online shopping

The actions that take place on the showroom floor have a significant impact on client satisfaction. The typical amount of time spent at the dealership for car purchases is 2 hours and 46 minutes. The level of satisfaction decreases as the waiting time increases. Currently, 63% of buyers state that they would think about ordering their car online. 73% of car buyers prefer to thoroughly negotiate the conditions of their lease, purchase, or finance online.

 

3. Online debuts

Today, a lot of automakers are launching new vehicles online more frequently. For instance, Hyundai used a live webcast to present the 2021 Elantra. From the comfort of their homes, people were able to watch with interest, thanks to Hyundai. Nearly 800,000 people watched the walk-around video and the live stream combined.

 

4. Automotive digital technology

Nowadays, technology in the automotive sector has increased the complexity and digital sophistication of automobiles. Numerous modern automotive features were not even conceived twenty years ago. As a result, 50% of the value of today’s cars can be attributed to digital technologies.

 

5. Manufacturing automation

The manufacturing process and supply chain are now more efficient. It has increased efficiency while reducing the need for labor. Only 25% of manufacturing facilities were mechanized in 1990. Now, 75% of it is automated. In addition, digitization has reduced defect rates to 12 per million.

 

6. A Rise in Connected Vehicles

On American highways, there are almost 84 million connected vehicles. These figures will rise enormously in a few years. Thus, the US is poised to overtake other countries as the largest market for linked automobiles.

 

 

A Case Study on Digital Transformation in the Automotive Sector

Currently, there are numerous examples that can demonstrate how much the automobile sector has changed as a result of digital transformation, some of which include:

 

1. Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Today’s AI is far more advanced. This technology is already present in several cars made by different automakers. As a result of the automotive digital transformation, businesses now employ AI that is capable of self-driving cars and can assist drivers in getting where they need to go without them having to do any manual actions. One of the prominent examples is the production of cars by TESLA. But since these automatic self-driving cars have frequently clogged up traffic, this technology is currently undergoing improvements.

 

2. Creating With AI

AI is now being used by manufacturers to create car models thanks to digital transformation. Machine learning assists in gathering information from older models and offers fresher ideas on how producers might improve their creations. Large automakers that produce sports vehicles employ machine learning to specifically build the body so that the car performs better.

 

3. Upkeep of the Vehicle

The performance of the vehicle is displayed through new components like sensor data, which also helps spot possible issues. Many sportscar manufacturers employ real-time data to enhance the overall performance of race cars when necessary.

 

4. Online Auto Tour

Through their websites, digital retailing and automotive trends have demonstrated an improved experience. Nowadays, a lot of businesses offer digital car tours that let customers examine each and every aspect of the vehicle from the comfort of their homes without having to be there in person.

 

How Does SimpSocial Affect the Automotive Industry’s Digital Transformation?

The knowledge SimpSocial has of digital solutions for your virtual catalog can give car shops a significant competitive advantage. The automotive sector is being significantly impacted by digital transformation, and as a group of professionals, we are aware of how critical consumer engagement is.