2021 AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE? - CARS: Consors Finanz
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CARS:
2021
AN IMPOSSIBLE
DIVORCE?
An international survey
conducted in 15 countriesCARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
EDITORIAL
Meaning in the crisis: The coronavirus
and the mobility transition
Not so long ago, ownership of an automobile was
a matter of prestige and passion. Today, however,
for many parts of the population, the car has lost
its relevance as a status symbol: the use of a car is
becoming more important than its ownership.
The mobility transition: What does the general
consumer awareness look like?
In this year’s study results, Consors Finanz demon-
strates that even during the COVID-19 crisis, the
consumers’ awareness for social change and thus
also for a global mobility transition has continued Nevertheless, it is too early to speak of a breakthrough
to grow. Intensive discussions about the reallocation in the market. One reason for this is the lack of avail-
of public space, more environmentally compatible able purchasing power: environmentally friendly cars
mobility solutions and the interconnection of differ- are currently too expensive for many people to buy.
ent forms of mobility have already begun. Government support would be very welcome here.
Yet, for almost half of the respondents, there is Our survey will put you in the picture as to where con-
currently still no genuine alternative to private car sumers stand in their relationship to the automobile,
ownership. Moreover, in times of great uncertainty, it the importance of electro mobility and environmental
provides many respondents with a sense of security. protection, which financial obstacles respondents are
facing, and what their expectations of policy makers
Electro mobility: The winner in the crisis look like.
During the coronavirus crisis in particular, consumers I hope you will enjoy reading and gain many interes-
have become increasingly aware of environmentally ting insights from our survey.
friendly types of mobility. Electric cars and hybrid
vehicles emerge as the winners in the crisis in this Gerd Hornbergs
sector. CEO Consors Finanz
03CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
PARTNERS & TABLE OF CONTENTS
METHODOLOGY
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY: THE REINVENTION OF A UNION 53
IN THE EYE OF EVERY STORM 07 Complementarity is the watchword 54
A sector rendered economically vulnerable 08 A shift towards used cars 60
Government support is deemed insufficient 16 Buying differently 62
All economic and marketing analyses, as well as forecasts, were performed in conjunction with the survey
and consulting firm C-Ways, a specialist in Anticipation Marketing. Sustained environmental pressure 20 Welcome government support 66
Quantitative consumer interviews were conducted by Harris Interactive on 2-11 September 2020 in 15 countries: An image tinged with caution 24 A more virtuous future 70
South Africa, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, China, Spain, United States, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom and Turkey. In total, 10,000 individuals were interviewed online (CAWI
method). These individuals, aged 18 to 65, were drawn from national samples representative of each
country. The quota method was employed to ensure that the sample was representative (gender and age).
3,000 interviews were conducted in France and 500 in each of the other countries. EPILOGUE 78
A RELATIONSHIP COUNTRIES OF L’OBSERVATOIRE CETELEM 79
WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT 35
APPENDIX 95
Essential, especially for the day to day 36
Co-written by: Luc Charbonnier and C-Ways
Editorial coordination: Patricia Bosc An economic sector with great clout 44
Design: © Altavia Cosmic
Illustrations: Altavia Cosmic, Shutterstock A place of refuge 48
04 05CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY:
IN THE EYE OF EVERY STORM
Having long been the symbol of economic development, social
progress and success in general, cars have gradually become
something of a black sheep. As black as the emissions they
are accused of scattering around our cities, at a time when
development cannot be other than sustainable and eco-friendly.
And as if that were not enough, 2020 arrived. An equally black
year that saw the market collapse. A year that highlighted the
turbulence that buffets the automotive industry from all sides
and which has now rocked it to its foundations.
07CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
A SECTOR RENDERED
Fig. 1 / Context
Comparison of car sales in 2019 and 2020
Sources: OICA (up until August 2020) / ACEA and national federations (September 2020). 2020 forecasts: C-Ways.
(*) Passenger and light commercial vehicle sales over the first 9 months of the year.
ECONOMICALLY South Africa
9-month sales 2019 (*)
9-month sales 2020 (*)
377,931
249,093
Difference
-34%
Sales 2019
Forecasts 2020
536,611
358,654
Difference
vs. forecast
-33%
VULNERABLE
Germany
2,969,985 -25% 4,017,059 -22%
2,228,612 3,133,306
Belgium
494,590 -24% 644,041 -23%
375,265 498,202
Brazil
1,940,170 -33% 2,787,850 -31%
1,301,659 1,925,927
China
16,935,008 -10% 25,768,677 -9%
15,295,003 23,449,496
THE GLOBAL MARKET Two countries went on to emerge from this 1,131,801 1,501,260
Spain -38% -36%
HAS BEEN HUGELY AFFECTED BY COVID slump. China saw its market bounce back in April 706,591 963,172
In 2019, the automotive world had allowed itself and gradually stabilise. Turkey also witnessed a United States
12,823,701 -20% 17,480,004 -18%
10,318,830 14,333,603
to be a little more upbeat. It was a relatively spectacular increase in sales, due primarily to
1,997,567 -27% 2,755,696 -27%
successful year and the next few months looked the Turkish lira’s dramatic devaluation in 2019, France
1,449,675 2,000,000
promising. But on 17 November 2019, everything which had led to a spectacular contraction of the 1,602,483 2,131,916
Italy -33% -33%
changed. In Wuhan, China, the SARS-Cov-2 market. If we look at the countries covered by this 1,071,183 1,425,084
coronavirus was discovered. Observatoire, Japan comes out “on top”, while Spain Japan
3,991,776 -18% 5,195,216 -16%
3,271,879 4,363,981
A few weeks later, the upbeat mood was gone. and the United Kingdom have seen the biggest
Netherlands
391,778 -25% 538,742 -23%
declines. 295,415 416,199
While the economic impact of the pandemic has Poland
457,521 -27% 656,265 -25%
335,343 489,944
been all enveloping, profoundly affecting all The pandemic is affecting not only sales, but also
200,179 271,817
economic sectors with very few exceptions, the production. Assembly line stoppages, varying Portugal
124,281
-38%
184,836
-32%
automotive industry was one of the first to be proportions of personnel off sick with the virus... United 2,148,887 2,676,918
-32% -30%
severely impacted. As early as February, sales in the consequences for the industrial base have been Kingdom 1,451,736 1,872,730
China were wiped out almost entirely. The spread severe, with sharp falls in output in some countries, Turkey
281,309 75% 491,909 40%
493,621 688,673
of the virus soon triggered a similar collapse across Germany and Spain in particular. This has had a
Europe
11,394,791 -29% 15,193,714 -28%
the world. direct impact on employment. 8,038,101 10,983,472
15-country
47,744,686 -18% 67,453,981 -17%
38,968,186 56,103,807
08 09CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig.
Fig.22//Context
Context
CHINA: THE SHIP IS DAMAGED
Automotive jobs affected by the COVID-19 crisis in each European country
BUT STILL AFLOAT (April 2020
2020 statistics)
statistics)
(April
As the first country affected by COVID-19, Source : ACEA
Source: ACEA.
China was also the first to see its automotive
market suffer the consequences. Sales fell 20% Sweden
in January and plummeted by 81% in February. 67,000
They then stabilised and started to bounce
back in April. China was also the first country
to bring the pandemic under control, with
Germany 568,518 4,500 Finland
monthly sales growth subsequently fluctuating
between -3% and +9% compared with 2019 Netherlands 13,500
(source: CAAM).
THE CRISIS THREATENS Belgium 30,000
A HUGE NUMBER OF JOBS 17,284 Poland
In April 2020, at least 1.1 million people
worked in the automotive sector in Europe. 45,000 Czech republic
This figure is non-exhaustive and only includes
individuals directly employed by car, truck, United Kingdom 65,455
20,000 Slovakia
van and bus manufacturers. The impact on the
wider automotive supply chain has been even
more acute. 20,000 Romania
France 90,000
30,000 Hungary
Portugal 20,000
1.1
MILLION
14,307 Austria
JOBS
Spain 60,000 Italy 700 Croatia
69,382
AFFECTED Slovenia
2,890
IN EUROPE TOTAL
fewer than 10,000 10,000-19,000 20,000-30,000 31,000-100,000 more than 100,000
1,138,536
10 11Fig. 4
Fig. 5 CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Do you plan to buy a car in the next 12 months?
Select one answer only. Proportion of “Yes” answers. Has your intention to buy a car been prompted by the COVID-19 cri
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Select one answer only. Proportion of “Yes” answers. Answers of responden
Fig. 3
1 Fig. 4 in the next 12 months.
THE RELATIVE IMPACT Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Do you plan to buy a car in the next 12 months? Do you plan to buy a car in the next 12 months? OF THE HEALTH CRISIS Yes, absolutely Yes, somewhat Yes
Select one answer
answer only.
only. Proportion
Proportion of
of “Yes”
“Yes” answers.
answers. Select one answer only. Proportion of “Yes” answers.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem
Cetelem de
de l’Automobile.
l’Automobile. Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
The pandemic has had a real yet moderate impact
EUROPEAN
16% 15-COUNTRY
21%
on these purchasing intentions. This is borne out by AVERAGE 21% AVERAGE 23%
37% 44%
Europe 15-country the responses of just over a third of those surveyed.
2019 2020 Low income 19% However, there are significant disparities between, 18%
average 23% South Africa 17%
on the one hand, China, the United States, Turkey 35%
EUROPEAN 34% 15-COUNTRY 41% Middle income 26%
AVERAGE 27% AVERAGE 32%
average 30% and the United Kingdom, where more than 1 in 2 19%
Germany 15%
High income 39%
respondents state that they have been influenced by 34%
62% 5%
South Africa
42%
average 44% COVID-19, and, on the other, Portugal and Belgium,
Belgium 9%
where the figure is 1 in 5, at the very most (Fig. 5). 14%
34%
Germany
23% PURCHASING INTENTIONS Brazil
23%
24%
Belgium
24% HAVE SUFFERED 47%
15% Fig. 5 16%
Production output and sales both fell in 2020, while China 45%
Brazil
68% purchasing intentions for the next 12 months do Has your
Fig. 5 intention to buy a car been prompted by the COVID-19 crisis? 61%
51% Select one answer only. Proportion of “Yes” answers. Answers of respondents who are planning 14% to buy a car
not inspire great optimism. It should be stressed Has
43% in theyour nextintention
12 months. to buy a car been prompted by the COVID-19 Spain crisis? 33%
China
43% from the outset that the survey was carried out in Select one answer
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelemonly. Proportion of “Yes” answers. Answers of respondents who are planning to buy a47%
de l’Automobile. car
in the next 12 months. 35%
46% September, before the second wave of the pandemic, Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
United States 23%
Spain 58%
33% which has affected all participating countries. Yes, absolutely Yes, somewhat Yes
17%
United States
48% But even at this juncture it pointed to purchasing France 20%
37% 16% 21% 37%
intentions that had contracted significantly EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY
36% AVERAGE 21% AVERAGE 23% 12%
France 37% 44% Italy 23%
26% compared with 2019. Whereas 41% of those surveyed
35%
54% a year ago were planning to buy a vehicle in the 18% 23%
Italy South Africa 17%
46% next 12 months, only 32% (27% of Europeans) now
Japan 22%
35% 45%
Japan
26% intend to do so (Fig. 3). The emerging economies, as 19% 10%
18% Germany 15% Netherlands 28%
well as China, Italy and the United States, offset this 34% 38%
31%
Netherlands
18% negative trend somewhat with their greater keenness 5% 19%
Belgium 9% Poland 21%
44% to make a purchase. Nonetheless, with the exception 14% 40%
Poland 23%
31% of China, which, as we have highlighted, was the first 8%
Brazil 24% Portugal 12%
Portugal
35% to experience something of a recovery, purchasing 47% 20%
23% 16% 34%
intentions are down significantly across the board. China 45% U. Kingdom 21%
35% 61%
U. Kingdom
27% A breakdown based on income points to the fact that 55%
14% 35%
57%
wealthier households are more likely than average Spain 33% Turkey 20%
Turkey 47% 55%
50% to want to buy a new vehicle (Fig. 4).
35%
United States 23%
58%
12 13
17%
France 20%
37%CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 7 Fig. 6
SPENDING BUDGETS
HAVE BEEN DOWNSIZED Do you think that the health crisis and its Do you think that the health crisis and its economic consequences will have an impact on how much
Similarly, the impact of the virus on the budget economic
Fig. 7 consequences will have an impact on you spend
on how on your
much next car?
you spend on your next car?
how much you spend on your next car? Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Yes, it will have an impact”. Answers of respondents
consumers plan to set aside for a future vehicle Do you think that the health crisis and its economic consequences Answers of respondents
who are planning to buy who
a carare planning
in the to months.
next 12 buy a car in the next 12 months.
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Yes,
purchase highlights two contrasting groups of will have an impact on how much you spend on your next car?
it will have an impact”. Answers of respondents who are Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Yes, it will have an impact”.
countries, but overall there are as many motorists planning to buy a car in the next 12 months.
Answers of respondents who are planning to buy a car in the next 12 months.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
who want to spend more as there are who want to Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
spend less (35% in both cases) (Fig. 6). Those most EUROPEAN 25% 15-COUNTRY 35%
Europe 15-country Yes, I will spend more Yes, I will spend less AVERAGE 38% AVERAGE 35%
willing to part with their money are the emerging
43%
nations, but also the United States, the UK and Yes, I will spend more South Africa
42%
Japan. Meanwhile, a significant proportion of Low income 31% 28%
average 33% Germany
Turks intend to increase their budget (62%), in line 28%
with the mass spending that took place in 2019. Middle income 24%
Belgium
21%
average 32% 27%
Conversely, vehicle acquisition budgets have fallen
High income 25% 40%
most significantly in the Latin countries, with nearly average 32% Brazil
38%
1 in 2 Italians planning to cut the amount they
Yes, I will spend less China
32%
spend. 36%
Low income 43% 16%
average 39% Spain
43%
In almost every country, those on the lowest
Middle income 38% 46%
incomes state their intention to spend less (Fig. 7). average 36% United States
27%
It is worth noting that in three countries, virtually High income
Moyenne des 30%
France
24%
equal numbers of respondents intend to increase average
revenus hauts 30% 32%
23
and reduce their budget: Germany, South Africa 19%
Italy
and Brazil. 47%
Japan
37%
13%
IN
Netherlands
30%
34%
Poland
26%
40%
29%
TO AFFECT THEIR VEHICLE BUDGET
Portugal
PEOPLE EXPECT THE CRISIS 40%
39%
U. Kingdom
33%
Turkey
62%
30%
14 15CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 8
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Do you believe that government efforts to support the automotive industry and trade are...
Fig. 8
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Do you believe that government efforts to support the automotive industry and trade are...
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Insufficient”.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
IS DEEMED INSUFFICIENT South Africa
EUROPEAN
AVERAGE 61% 15-COUNTRY
AVERAGE 61%
76%
Germany 49%
In this unsteady economic climate, which has seen sales drop off, Belgium 58%
jobs cut and purchasing intentions fall, the finger is being pointed
Brazil 81%
firmly in the direction of an actor that is deemed not to have done
enough: the government. China 59%
Spain 78%
United States 45%
GOVERNMENTS ARE NOT
PLAYING THEIR PART TO THE FULL France 50%
6 out of 10 people believe that governments are
Italy 58%
not playing their part in supporting the automotive
sector. And this opinion is almost unanimous, given Japan 34%
that less than half of those surveyed agree with
this statement in only three countries: Japan (34%), Netherlands 56%
the United States (45%) and Germany (49%) (Fig. 8).
Poland 73%
Interestingly, these are the three countries that are
home to the world’s largest automakers. Portugal 73%
In the emerging countries and the Iberian Peninsula, U. Kingdom 56%
criticism regarding the lack of state intervention
Turkey 60%
to support the automotive sector is particularly
fierce, as exemplified most starkly by the 8 out of 10
Brazilians and Spaniards who express this view.
16 17CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig.
Fig. 10
10
VARYING AWARENESS 50% of those surveyed do not know if this is the
To
To your
your knowledge,
knowledge, has
has your
your government
government launched
launched a
a plan
plan to
to support
support the
the automotive
automotive industry?
OF SUPPORT PLANS case (Fig. 10). Reassuringly, in France, China and
Select
industry?
Select one
one answer
answer only.
only.
However, this criticism of governments is largely a Italy, where such plans have been implemented, Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
matter of opinion that mainly reflects concern about the authorities seem to have done a good job of 29% 28%
EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY
the future of the sector and those it employs, rather publicising the fact, with 1 in 2 people being aware AVERAGE 24% AVERAGE 28%
Yes No I don’t know 47% 44%
than being based on hard evidence. Because when of these measures. However, that is not the case 11%
individuals are asked whether their government in Germany and Spain, two countries in which the South Africa 52%
37%
has launched a plan to support the industry, there government has also actively supported the sector. 24%
is considerable uncertainty. On average, almost Germany 29%
47%
10%
Belgium 36%
54%
15%
Brazil 38%
47%
Fig. 9 / Context 53%
China 13%
Spotlight on a few of the support plans implemented 34%
Sources: (1) Economie.gouv.fr, (2) Wallbox.com, (3) Autobild, (4) RFI, (5) Reuters. 34%
Spain 17%
49%
20%
United States 34%
France(1)
€1 billion invested to support the modernisation of production lines and the ecological 46%
transformation of the automotive industry. 50%
France 16%
34%
Germany(2)
An increase in the bonuses granted to those who purchase electric vehicles 55%
(+50%, up to 9,000 euros). Italy 12%
33%
17%
Japan 28%
An increase in the bonuses granted to those who purchase electric vehicles (up to 5,500 euros). 55%
Spain(3) Backing provided to the industry through loans to support R&D and investment in plant 21%
modernisations. Netherlands 25%
54%
17%
Poland 36%
Italy(4)
€6.3 billion loan provided to Fiat-Chrysler to support the sector, subject to its operations 47%
being located in Italy, with penalties applied for non-compliance with this requirement. 33%
Portugal 16%
51%
China(5) Subsidies for electric vehicles extended for two years to support the market. 18%
U. Kingdom 33%
49%
41%
Turkey 29%
30%
18 19CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
SUSTAINED
Fig. 11
Would you say that the criticisms levelled at cars are justified?
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Are justified”.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
ENVIRONMENTAL
EUROPEAN
17% 15-COUNTRY
17%
AVERAGE 52% AVERAGE 55%
Completely justified Somewhat justified Justified 69% 72%
17%
South Africa 60%
77%
PRESSURE
16%
Germany 39%
55%
13%
Belgium 50%
63%
26%
Brazil 61%
87%
7%
China 73%
80%
26%
Spain 56%
82%
WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENT, 21%
United States 47%
LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ARE RAISED 68%
ABOUT THE AUTO INDUSTRY... France
14%
46%
The view seems to be that the automotive sector 60%
19%
is not receiving the economic support it deserves. Italy 60%
But would it be sensible to do so, given that those 79%
10%
surveyed believe that the industry does not take Japan 60%
70%
sufficient environmental responsibility? Indeed,
11%
there is a clear consensus on this matter. 72% Netherlands 55%
66%
(69% in Europe) feel that criticism of the auto
18%
industry for environmental failings is justified Poland 49%
67%
(Fig. 11). The figure exceeds 50% in every country. 19%
The emerging nations and those on the Iberian Portugal 64%
83%
Peninsula are the most vehement, with 87% of 20%
U. Kingdom 49%
Brazilians and 83% of Portuguese deriding the 69%
sector for its lack of respect for the environment. 28%
Turkey 52%
80%
20 21CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 12
Even in the United States, whose politics in recent POLLUTING VEHICLES SHOULD BE field of those who support these solutions. It should
years has cultivated a degree of climate scepticism, DoFig.
you 12believe that the automotive industry
HEAVILY TAXED be noted that France ranks third on every measure
68% condemn the environmental harm caused by receives
Do you believemore or less
that the criticism
automotive for its
industry receives more or less criticism for its environmental
Viewed against the backdrop of a major health put forward.
environmental
impact than other impactsectorsthan(agriculture,
other sectorsconstruction, energy, textiles, etc.)?
vehicles. (agriculture, construction, energy, crisis, penalising drivers of the least eco-friendly
Select one answer only. Proportion whotextiles,
answeredetc.)?
“more criticism”.
Select
Source: one answer
L’Observatoire Cetelemonly. Proportion who answered
de l’Automobile. vehicles seems to be an uncontroversial idea.
One has to look to Belgium, France and Germany “more criticism”. Of all the measures put forward, setting a Fig. 13
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile. Fig. 13
(63%, 60% and 55%) to find the least critical CO2 emissions limit is the most popular (80%)
Do you believe that the least environmentally friendly vehicles (4x4
respondents. These are three countries in which (Fig. 13). The Chinese, whose country is the most Do you believe that the least environmentally
cars, etc.) should be subject to the following restrictions?
friendly vehicles (4x4s, SUVs, large saloons, sports
AVERAGE 51% AVERAGE 44%
the most recent elections were considered a great EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY severely affected by pollution, are the most Select one answer per statement. Proportion of “Yes” answers.
cars,L’Observatoire
Source: etc.) shouldCetelem be subject to the following
de l’Automobile.
success for Green parties. A paradox? No, this likely to favour such a regulation (88%), followed restrictions?
simply reflects a greater maturity of judgement. South Africa 29% closely by the Turks (87%), whose capital city is Select one answer per statement.
Criticism in this area is now a firmly established a vast and continuous traffic jam. Meanwhile, Proportion of “Yes” answers.
Germany 44% Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
part of public opinion that is quickly becoming the American citizens are the least enthusiastic
norm. In addition, contradictory arguments have Belgium 55% about the idea (67%). Europe 15-country
brought out opposing viewpoints that temper such 80%
Brazil 39% CO2 emissions limits
condemnation. Two additional measures are also viewed 80%
China 26% favourably. One relates to vehicle power output, Power limits
63%
62%
... BUT MORE THAN OTHER SECTORS the other to the wallets of potential buyers. 62%
Spain 63% 62%
However, 1 in 2 people in Europe (44% worldwide) globally (63% in Europe) would like to see vehicle Higher tax
61%
(Fig. 12) believe that motor vehicles receive United States 39% power limited. Once again, the Chinese and Turks Limits on the numbers 58%
more criticism in this respect than sectors such are very much in favour of this measure (76% of vehicles produced 59%
France 52%
as construction, agriculture and other forms of and 69%), as are the French (69%). The three Bans on their use 56%
in cities 55%
transport. Inhabitants of European Union countries, Italy 59% populations that are the least convinced of its
No part exchange available 44%
who are probably more mature and better informed validity are the South Africans, the Americans and when they are purchased 47%
when it comes to environmental issues, are more Japan 30% the Dutch (54%, 53% and 52%). As regards the 43%
Bans on advertising
likely to be of this opinion (63% in Spain, 59% in Netherlands 37% imposition of financial penalties, the Chinese and 44%
Italy). At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Turks are again the most enthusiastic (79% and
Chinese are quicker to blame urban pollution on Poland 47% 68%).
cars than on industry, with only a small proportion Portugal 53%
sharing the view that the auto industry is unfairly Two final measures are popular among more than
criticised (26%). U. Kingdom 47% half of those surveyed. Restricting production of
the least environmentally-friendly vehicles (59%).
Turkey 44%
Prohibiting these same vehicles from entering cities
(55%). Once again, the Chinese and Turks head the
22 23CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
AN IMAGE
Fig. 14
When it comes to cars, would you say that you...
Select one answer only. Proportion of people who are interested in cars.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
TINGED
EUROPEAN
21% 15-COUNTRY
25%
AVERAGE 27% AVERAGE 27%
Love them Like them Love or like them 48% 52%
40%
South Africa 29%
69%
WITH CAUTION
27%
Germany 16%
43%
18%
Belgium 28%
46%
48%
Brazil 32%
80%
13%
In L’Observatoire Cetelem 2017, entitled “I love my car”, 9 out of 10 China 36%
49%
respondents stated that they had a positive or very positive image of Spain
27%
34%
cars. Four years later, putting aside this declaration of intention, the 36%
61%
United States 25%
image people have of cars and, by extension, their role in our world, 61%
17%
appears to be in question. France 33%
50%
4%
Italy 44%
48%
14%
THE SENSIBLE EQUAL THE vehicles relatively recently, but also in the United Japan 19%
ENTHUSIASTIC IN NUMBER: States, where the car is king (36%). Conversely, in 33%
23%
CARS ARE NOT THE STUFF OF DREAMS China and Italy passions do not run as high. With Netherlands 19%
42%
THEY ONCE WERE only 4% declaring that they love cars, the Italians
24%
Although 1 in 2 people say they are interested dispel the stereotype that they are passionate about Poland 25%
49%
in cars, this interest is more likely to be driven beautiful mechanical creations. We should also 22%
by reason than passion. Only a quarter of those underline that, overall, such passion has a price or, Portugal 21%
43%
surveyed say that they really love cars and rather, is contingent on a high income. The most 23%
U. Kingdom 25%
motoring (Fig. 14). These enthusiasts are most affluent households are almost twice as likely to 48%
likely to be found in Turkey, South Africa and Brazil describe themselves as car lovers than those with 43%
Turkey 22%
(43%, 40% and 48%), countries conquered by motor the lowest incomes (32% vs. 19%). 65%
24 25CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 15
AN ENDURING ATTACHMENT
While cars may fuel fewer dreams today, our How attached are you to the following items?
Select one answer per statement. Score between 1 (not at all attached) and 10 (very attached).
attachment to them is still relatively strong. This Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
attachment has remained constant over time. In
L’Observatoire Cetelem 2017 (“I love my car”), the Your car
Your mobile Your Your
average attachment score respondents assigned phone 2020 2017 home laptop computer
to cars was 6.7. Four years later, it is practically
South Africa 8.5 6.9 7.1 8.4 7.0
identical: 6.6 worldwide and 6.7 in Europe, with
those in Latin countries being the fondest of their Germany 6.3 6.1 7.1 8.0 5.8
vehicles (Fig. 15). However, cars are no longer
Belgium 7.3 6.7 6.7 8.4 6.8
people’s “favourite”, as they were in the past.
They are invariably surpassed by mobile phones, 7.8
Brazil 8.2 6.9 8.5 6.9
an inescapable, indispensable and unparalleled
product in the modern world (8.1 worldwide, China 8.1 6.1 7.3 8.3 5.9
8.2 in Europe). The income factor reveals a very
Spain 7.4 7.3 7.0 8.6 7.0
clear disparity between the wealthy, who are very
attached to their cars (7.4), and lower income United States 7.7 6.8 6.2 7.5 6.1
individuals, whose attachment is weaker (5.9).
The monetary and use value of a vehicle go some France 7.0 6.6 6.7 7.9 6.6
way to explaining this difference.
Italy 7.5 7.3 6.6 8.4 7.1
Japan 6.2 5.8 6.6 7.1 5.1
Netherlands 7.2 6.5 - 8.2 6.5
Poland 8.0 6.9 6.9 8.6 7.3
Portugal 7.4 7.1 6.8 8.5 7.1
U. Kingdom 6.7 6.0 6.3 7.6 6.0
Turkey 7.8 6.6 7.0 8.1 6.7
Europe 7.2 6.7 - 8.2 6.7
15-country 7.4 6.6 - 8.1 6.5
26 27CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 16
A STATUS THAT IS VIEWED AS ... BUT WHICH LOOKS TO BE FADING
OVERBLOWN IN TODAY’S WORLD... OVERALL Do you believe that too much or not enough importance is placed on cars in today’s world?
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “too much importance”.
Are cars seeing their lustre fade? What is certain While there is a belief that too much importance Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
is that their relative status in an economic world is placed on cars, they are slowly fading from
that is shifting from the industrial to the digital is the landscape in the eyes of those surveyed. In
now seen as too high. More than 1 in 2 people are particular, one-third believe that their presence in EUROPEAN
AVERAGE 51% 15-COUNTRY
AVERAGE 56%
of this view, but the disparities are considerable. cities is falling and that more space is being freed
In the emerging countries, where the automotive up through a reduction in the number of lanes, South Africa 69%
market has gained importance more recently, but parking spaces and car parks (Fig. 17).
also in Portugal and Japan, its status is viewed as On this issue, those countries in which Green Germany 42%
overblown, with 8 out of 10 Turks also being of this parties have the most influence, both nationally and
Belgium 49%
opinion (Fig. 16). Meanwhile, in those countries locally, are the most forthright. 6 out of 10 French
whose relationship with the automobile is longer citizens and 1 in 2 Germans and Belgians bear
Brazil 71%
standing, this view is less prevalent (39%, 42% and witness to a gradual exodus of vehicles from cities.
46% in the United Kingdom, Germany and France). Conversely, just 1 in 10 Chinese share this feeling. China 57%
In the Netherlands, a figure of 42% highlights a The congestion caused by vehicles in the megacities
reluctance to heap scorn on cars, even though they of the Middle Kingdom does not seem set to ease Spain 48%
often play second fiddle to bicycles in the country. any time soon.
United States 47%
12
France 46%
Italy 59%
IN Japan
Netherlands 42%
65%
TOO MUCH IMPORTANCE IN TODAY’S WORLD
PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT CARS ARE GIVEN Poland 58%
Portugal 73%
U. Kingdom 39%
Turkey 77%
28 29CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 17
Do you believe that the space given to cars in cities (lanes, parking spaces, car parks, etc.) is... GERMANY, BELGIUM AND FRANCE: views on environmental issues. Thus, Belgian
Select one(lanes,
in cities answerparking
only. Proportion
spaces, who answered
car parks, “Being
etc.) is... reduced” THE GROWING POWER ecologists saw their representation increase
SelectL’Observatoire
Source: one answer Cetelemonly.
de l’Automobile.
Proportion who answered “Being reduced”. OF GREEN PARTIES by 50% in the last election, while in France
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile. The most recent European elections, much like the number of representatives doubled. In the
France’s local elections, confirmed the rising latter, a number of major cities (including Lyon,
popularity of Green parties and probably their Bordeaux and Grenoble) are now run by the
EUROPEAN
AVERAGE 35% 15-COUNTRY
AVERAGE 32% long-term presence in the political landscape. Greens. In Germany, they have held positions
This is particularly true in three countries of of responsibility for several years now.
South Africa 12% L’Observatoire Cetelem, which exhibit similar
Germany 49%
Belgium 48% Fig. 18 / Context
Number of Green seats in the European Parliament after the 2014 and 2019 elections
Brazil 45% Source: European Parliament.
China 8% Percentage
% of Green
Number of Green seats 2014 2019 / Total number of seats change
seats
Spain 32% 2014-2019
13/96 14%
Germany 92%
25/96 26%
United States 27%
2/21 10%
Belgium 50%
3/21 14%
France 58%
4/54 7%
Spain -50%
2/54 4%
Italy 23% 8%
France
6/74 100%
12/74 16%
Japan 41% 0/73 0%
Italy 0%
0/73 0%
Netherlands 35% 2/21 10%
Netherlands 50%
3/21 14%
Poland 15% 0/51 0%
Poland 0%
0/51 0%
Portugal 28% 0/21 0%
Portugal SO -
1/21 5%
Total 27/411 7%
U. Kingdom 33% 70%
in the countries surveyed 46/411 11%
Total 50/751 7%
Turkey 22% 48%
in the 28 EU countries 74/751 10%
30 31(lanes, parking spaces, car parks, etc.)?
KEY FIGURES
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
A DESIRE FOR CARS TO HAVE THEIR Those who state thatSomewhat
Highly beneficial
it is “highly desirable”
beneficial
account
Beneficial
STATUS LOWERED FURTHER for just 19% of the total and 20%tend to be at the higher
19%
EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY
Today, the view that cars have too much of a AVERAGE 48%
end of the income spectrum. AVERAGE 45%
68% 64%
presence comes with the assumption that this 15%
presence will fall in the future. 64% of those This
Southdesirability
Africa varies from country
40%to country.
55%
surveyed (68% in Europe) believe it is desirable or While the Italians, Portuguese, Spanish and Turks
27%
Germany 43%
1 in 2 Europeans
highly desirable for the presence of cars in cities are the most likely to hold this view, the Brazilians,
70%
1 in 2 people
to be reduced, although this does not point to South Africans, Belgians and17% Americans are more
1 in 4 people
Fig. 19 intransigeance on the matter (Fig. 19). Fig. 19
Belgium 36%
complete measured. 53%
12%
Fig. 19parking spaces, car parks, etc.)?
(lanes, Brazil parking spaces, car parks,40%
(lanes, etc.)? believe that the automotive
52%
industry is more
12% say they are
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
(lanes,
Fig. 19parking spaces, car parks, etc.)?
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
China 42% heavily criticized for its say they love cars.
54% environmental impact than interested in cars.
44% 32%
Do you
Source: believe
L’Observatoire it would
Cetelem be beneficial to reduce the space given to cars in cities 18%
de l’Automobile. other sectors.
Spain 54%
(lanes, parking spaces, car parks, etc.)? 72%
Select one answer only. Proportion who answered “Beneficial”. 24%
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Highly beneficial Somewhat beneficial Beneficial United States
Highly beneficial 34%
Somewhat beneficial Beneficial
58%
20% 19% EUROPEAN21%
20% 15-COUNTRY
19%
EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY
Highly beneficial AVERAGE 48%
Somewhat beneficial AVERAGE
45%
Beneficial France AVERAGE 48% 42%AVERAGE 45%
68% 64% 68% 64%
63%
15%
EUROPEAN
20% 15-COUNTRY
19% 15%
21%
South Africa AVERAGE 48% 40% AVERAGE 45% South
Italy Africa 40% 57%
68% 55% 64% 55% 78%
of people state that the of people are thinking of buying a vehicle in the next 12 months
15% 27% 12% 27%
South Africa
Germany 40%
43% Germany
Japan 43%
48% health crisis has had an (down 9% from 2019).
55% 70% 60% 70% impact on their
6.6/ 10
17% 27% 17%
16%
Germany
Belgium 43%
36% Belgium
Netherlands 36%44% purchasing intentions.
53% 70% 53%
60%
17%
12% 12%
17%
Belgium
Brazil 36%
40% Brazil
Poland 40% 53%
53%
52% 52% 70%
12% 12% 26%
Brazil
China 40%
42% China
Portugal 42% 52%
52%
54% 54% 78%
12%
18% 18%
19%
China
Spain 42% 54% Spain
U. Kingdom 54%
49%
54% 72% 72%
68%
18%
24% 24%
29% the average score across all
Spain States
United 34% 54% United
Turkey States 34% 44%
58%
the countries when it comes to
58% 72% 73%
24%
21% 21% attachment.
United States
France 34%42% France 42%
58%
63% 63%
21% 21%
France
Italy 42% 57% Italy 57%
63% 78% 78%
32 33
12% 21% 12%
Italy
Japan 48%57% Japan 48%
60% 78% 60%CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
A RELATIONSHIP
WE CANNOT
LIVE WITHOUT
Despite all the criticism cars receive, the fact that motorists
appear to think less fondly of their vehicles nowadays, not to
mention an economic and environmental context that seems
ominous for the sector, the automobile remains indispensable,
unparalleled and timeless. To use a term that is very much
in vogue, it continues to display great resilience, and all the
more so during the current health crisis. The idea that we will
be able to do away with cars, be it today or in the future,
is far from evident.
35CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY
Fig. 20
Would you be prepared to live without a car?
Select one answer only. Proportion of “Yes” answers.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
FOR THE DAY TO DAY South Africa
Yes No
35%
EUROPEAN 44%
AVERAGE 56%
65%
15-COUNTRY 45%
AVERAGE 55%
Germany
45%
55%
Belgium
33%
67%
Brazil
54%
46%
NEVER WITHOUT IT 45%
In a relationship, just because criticism, resentment China
55%
and differences of opinion exist, that is not
47%
necessarily reason enough to consider living apart. Spain
53%
That is what this Observatoire Cetelem teaches us
on the topic of cars. Despite their criticisms of cars, United States
42%
58%
nearly 6 out of 10 people cannot see themselves
living without one (Fig. 20). However, the view that France
35%
65%
they are essential has lost ground since the 2017
6 10
survey, “I love my car”. 8 out of 10 respondents Italy
40%
held this opinion at the time. But in a climate that 60%
has seen car bashing become more fashionable, the 34%
Japan
score remains relatively high. Two-thirds of French, 66%
Belgian, Japanese and South African respondents 45%
Netherlands
believe that life without a car is impossible. 55%
Conversely, the same proportion of Turks and Poles
believe that it is something to aspire to. On this
OUT Poland
40%
60%
OF
PEOPLE CANNOT IMAGINE LIVING
issue, the income factor again creates a great deal
41%
of segmentation. 53% of the wealthiest respondents Portugal
WITHOUT A CAR
59%
cannot live without a car, compared with just 36%
of individuals in the lowest income group. U. Kingdom
51%
49%
(VS. 8 OUT OF 10 IN 2017) Turkey
67%
33%
36 37Fig. 22 CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Why are you attached to your car?
Answers
Fig. 22 of those who assigned a score of 5 or more to
CAR USE IS STABLE Turkey in particular. These two countries appear to CARS PRIMARILY their attachment to their car.
OVERALL, BUT IT IS RISING have a love-hate relationship with cars, believing FULFIL A PURPOSE Why are you attached to your car?
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
IN EMERGING NATIONS that they take up too much space, in every sense Above all, car use tends to be driven by Worldwide figures. Select one or more answers.
People’s relationship with their cars has remained of the word, while also seeming incapable of giving pragmatism. If motorists are attached to their Answers of those who assigned a score of 5 or more
stable. 1 in 2 people believe that they have used them up. vehicles, it is chiefly for practical reasons (71%) to their attachment to their car.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
their vehicle neither more nor less over the last few (Fig. 22). It is interesting to compare this result with
years (Fig. 21). However, a detailed analysis shows that obtained by the 2017 survey, when 9 out 10
that there are vast differences from one country respondents lauded cars for their practicality. The It’s a second home 18%
to the next. Western countries display the greatest French are the most likely to point to practicality
stability, while a significant increase in car use can (82%), while the Chinese are less convinced (58%). It’s the best place
22%
to get some peace
been observed in the emerging countries, China and
A stronger emphasis is placed on different criteria It enhances your status 23%
Fig. 21
depending on the country. More than half of
German, Polish and Brazilian respondents believe It holds lots
of happy memories
23%
Over the last few years, would you say that your car use? that their cars help them meet people and facilitate
Select one answer only.
Fig. 21 interaction. At the two ends of the GDP scale, It’s beautiful 23%
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
Over the last few years, would you say that your car use? equal proportions of South Africans and Americans
Select one answer only. view them as valuable objects. The Chinese are It’s like a friend 24%
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile. the most likely to see them as both a friend and a
27% 35% place where they can get some peace, suggesting It’s a valuable object 33%
EUROPEAN 15-COUNTRY
AVERAGE 51% AVERAGE 46% an intimate and personal relationship with their
Has increased Has neither increased nor decreased Has decreased 22% 19% It makes it easier to meet
vehicles in a country where collectivism is crucial. people and interact
38%
47% 31% The South Africans share many memories with
South Africa 35% Italy 53%
18% 16%
their cars. The Portuguese view them as a way of It’s practical 71%
23% 24% boosting their image.
Germany 55% Japan 66%
22% 10%
23% 21%
Belgium 50% Netherlands 51%
27% 28%
51% 40%
Brazil 32% Poland 49%
17% 11%
66% 28%
China 30% Portugal 52%
4% 20%
31% 29%
Spain 47% U. Kingdom 44%
22% 27%
31% 65%
United States 41% Turkey 27%
28% 8%
23%
France 57%
20%
38 39CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
AN IRREPLACEABLE PART THE COVID CRISIS UNDERLINES THIS Fig. 23
OF EVERYDAY LIFE DAY-TO-DAY PRACTICALITY What are the main purposes for which you use your car(s)?
Every day, car users are reminded of the services The public health crisis has prompted lockdowns, Select a maximum of two answers.
their vehicle provides. Whether it be for commuting, restricted outings to those that are strictly Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
shopping or taking children to school, there necessary, caused public transport services to
You use your car for your daily You use your car to make
is no alternative to cars in the eyes of 85% of be shut down or reduced drastically, and led to journeys: to go to work, to do long journeys such as going You use your car
respondents, with this view being particularly remote working on a massive scale. These new your shopping, to transport on holiday, going away for simply for the pleasure You carpool
prevalent in the emerging countries, China and Italy “constraints” have transformed daily life, in some your children, etc. the weekend, etc. of driving as a driver
(Fig. 23). Only the Spanish are a little less convinced cases radically. Thus, this crisis, together with South Africa 91% 38% 18% 10%
of their day-to-day practicality (74%). This is such a the changes it has imposed on lifestyles, has
dominant factor that one could almost forget their reinforced the view that cars are ultimately there Germany 83% 52% 16% 3%
various other attributes. The ability to use one’s for utilitarian reasons.
car for long journeys, e.g., during holidays, is only Belgium 85% 49% 13% 4%
cited by 46% of respondents. The sheer pleasure Individuals who have used their car less during
of driving, meanwhile, is reduced to a measly 16%. this period have tended to reduce their daily Brazil 91% 39% 17% 8%
Proof, once again, that practical concerns easily journeys the least. 37% have driven less to fulfil
China 93% 58% 13% 8%
trump the notion of enjoyment. their day-to-day requirements, compared with a
46% reduction for private journeys and leisure, and
Spain 74% 46% 11% 6%
55% at weekends and in the holidays. The same
pattern can be observed in every country covered United States 87% 38% 22% 6%
by the survey. Conversely, respondents who state
that they have been using their vehicle more say France 85% 51% 13% 8%
that they have done so to meet their day-to-day
needs (25% vs. 22% in the case of private journeys Italy 90% 45% 12% 2%
and leisure, and 16% in the case of weekends and
8 10
holidays) (Fig. 24). Turkey and China stand apart in Japan 86% 53% 10% 12%
this respect, with respondents reporting that they
Netherlands 74% 46% 27% 5%
have significantly increased their car use during the
health crisis, primarily to meet their day-to-day Poland 83% 44% 29% 13%
needs (60% and 51%).
Portugal 85% 40% 7% 9%
OUT U. Kingdom 85% 51% 20% 7%
OF
PEOPLE CONSIDER CARS
Turkey 87% 49% 9% 7%
TO BE IRREPLACEABLE
Europe 83% 47% 16% 6%
15-country 85% 46% 16% 7%
40 41CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 24
REMOTE WORKING
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, would you say that your car use? The health crisis has placed a spotlight on remote In Germany, it is already in place in 80% of companies.
Select one answer only.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
working, especially in Western countries. It has In France in 2019, 5.2 million people already worked
transformed what was a growing trend among more remotely. In Japan, 33% of companies have deployed
Proportion who answered “Has decreased” Proportion who answered “Has increased” and more companies into a real paradigm shift. While a teleworking policy. In the United States, remote
it is popular among many employees, this new way working increased five-fold over the five years
For daily journeys For private journeys and leisure To go away
and commuting (food and other shopping, for the weekend
of working
Fig. and organising workforces has not been
25 / Context preceding COVID-19, with 25 to 30% of employees set
to work sporting activities, etc.) and on holiday implemented to the same extent across the board. to adopt the practice by the end of 2021.
Prevalence of remote working in the countries covered by the survey in early 2020 (Pre-COVID-19)
South Africa
60% 64% 82% Source: McKinsey Global Remote Working Data & Statistics (Updated Q1 2020).
18% 19% 6%
Germany
25% 30% 44% Fig. 25 / Context
18% 17% 14%
41% 49% 53% Prevalence of remote working in the countries covered by the survey in early 2020 (Pre-COVID-19)
Belgium
14% 14% 12% Source: McKinsey Global Remote Working Data & Statistics (Updated Q1 2020).
Brazil
44% 56% 75% Proportion of companies with a remote working policy
30% 25% 11% Proportion of employees who consider remote working 12-COUNTRY 61% WORLD 62%
to be the new norm AVERAGE 75% AVERAGE 62%
China
32% 48% 53%
51% 40% 30% 62%
South Africa
37% 45% 51% 79%
Spain
21% 22% 18%
Germany
80%
38% 50% 53% 68%
United States
24% 20% 17%
Belgium
53%
France
30% 39% 44% 78%
18% 16% 14%
Brazil
67%
Italy
40% 46% 52% 72%
25% 25% 19%
21% 39% 53% China
51%
Japan 77%
22% 17% 9%
35% 42% 55% Spain
61%
Netherlands 74%
16% 18% 13%
24% 33% 39% United States
69%
Poland
31% 28% 23% 74%
Portugal
51% 54% 68% 60%
France
14% 13% 8% 68%
U. Kingdom
48% 53% 59% 59%
24% 20% 15% Italy
72%
21% 43% 51%
Turkey 32%
60% 46% 31% Japan
80%
Europe
37% 43% 52%
20% 19% 15% Netherlands
75%
73%
15-country
37% 46% 55%
25% 22% 16% U. Kingdom
68%
73%
42 43CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
AN ECONOMIC
Fig. 26 / Context
Vehicle assembly plants (cars, light commercial vehicles, buses, trucks)
and engine plants in Europe by country
Number of plants*.
SECTOR WITH
Sources: ACEA, updated in May 2020.
More than 40
30 to 39
GREAT CLOUT
20 to 29
10 to 19
1 to 9
People’s “attachment” to cars seems subject to even nations. This is a stark reminder of the economic
greater pragmatism, not to say necessity, when we importance of the auto industry and, above all, of 42
consider the economic importance of the sector the social and human consequences of a crisis like
in almost all Observatoire Cetelem countries. This the one we are experiencing. 31 31
30
can obviously be measured in terms of the number
of vehicles sold, which is the tip of the iceberg for 23
consumers/motorists. However, if we look beyond 17 16 17
the major assembly lines, the sheer size of the 8
10 9 10
6 7 6
automotive industry becomes clear when we take 5 3 3 5 3 4 1 4 4 3
into account all the subcontractors automakers use,
not only upstream, but also downstream, i.e., the
domain of dealers, mechanics, rental companies, etc.
Czech republic
Netherlands
Kazakhstan
U. Kingdom
Uzbekistan
There is a saying in French: when the building trade
Germany
Romania
Portugal
Slovenia
Hungary
Slovakia
Belgium
Sweden
Ukraine
Finland
Belarus
Croatia
Austria
Poland
France
Turkey
Russia
Serbia
Spain
is doing well, everything does well. Similarly, it is
Italy
tempting to say that when the automotive industry
is firing on all cylinders, the rest follows. In the
European Union alone, the sector accounts for EUROPEAN UNION 196
8.5% of total industrial output and directly employs
EUROPE 298
2.7 million people. The industry has an industrial
presence in every European country featured in
* Automotive suppliers, many manufacturers of vehicles and small engines, and custom bodybuilders are not included in this overview due to complexity. This map includes the engine
L’Observatoire Cetelem, as it does in all the other production sites of most ACEA members, but omits the transmission, bodywork, and other vehicle parts plant.
44 45CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 27 / Context Fig. 28 / Context
Domestic automotive output in 2019 by country (passenger vehicles + light commercial vehicles) Automotive jobs as a proportion of all industrial
Number of vehicles sold. jobs, by country (2018 data)
Source: OICA. Does not take into account jobs in non-manufacturing
sectors (retail, rental, etc.).
Passenger vehicles Light commercial vehicles Total Source: ACEA.
Belgium
247,020 285,797 Proportion (%)
38,777
282,142 Germany 12%
Portugal 345,704
63,562
Spain 8%
South Africa
348,665 631,983
283,318
Poland 8%
Poland
434,700 649,864
215,164 France 7%
Italy
542,007 915,305 U. Kingdom 6%
373,298
1,303,135 Belgium 6%
U. Kingdom 1,381,405
78,270
Portugal 6%
Turkey
982,642 1,461,244
478,602
Italy 5%
France
1,675,198 2,202,460
527,262 Netherlands 4%
Spain
2,248,019 2,822,355 European Union 9%
574,336
Brazil
2,448,490 2,944,988
496,498
Germany
4,661,328 4,661,328
-
Japan
8,328,756 9,684,298
1,355,542
United States
2,512,780 10,880,019
8,367,239
China
21,360,193 25,720,665
4,360,472
World
67,149,196 91,786,861
24,637,665
46 47CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
A PLACE
Fig. 29
Do the following statements reflect the image you have of your car?
Select one answer per statement. Proportion of “Yes” answers.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
OF REFUGE
Yes and more so since the start of the health crisis
Yes, but no more than before the start of the health crisis
Yes
It’s a form of transport that offers incomparable
47%
freedom to travel
43%
90%
46%
It protects me from the outside world 30%
76%
While economic and use value alone could explain
why it is so difficult for people to live without cars,
the health crisis has highlighted other reasons why
this might be the case. In the 2017 survey “I love
my car”, 9 out of 10 people associated cars with
freedom. This is still the case four years later. 47%
even believe that the heath crisis has boosted the
incomparable freedom that cars offer (Fig. 29).
So they represent freedom, but they also serve as
a place of refuge. Indeed, 76% say that when they
34
are in their car they feel protected from the outside
world. Again, this is a feeling that has intensified
over the course of the crisis according to 46% of
respondents.
IN
The familiar pairing formed by China and Turkey are
joined by Poland, Brazil and France in espousing
these values of freedom and protection (Fig. 30).
PEOPLE FEEL PROTECTED
The Dutch are the least likely, by some distance,
to view their vehicles as a place of refuge, a further
WHEN THEY ARE IN THEIR CAR
sign that cars play a less crucial role in the daily
lives of people in the Netherlands.
48 49KEY FIGURES
CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 30
Do the following statements reflect the image you have of your car?
Select one answer per statement. Proportion of “Yes” answers.
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
85% 76%
It’s a form of transport that offers
incomparable freedom to travel EUROPEAN 90% 15-COUNTRY 90%
It protects me from the outside world AVERAGE 72% AVERAGE 76%
90%
6 out of 10 people
South Africa
82%
More than
Germany
85%
65%
Belgium
64%
91%
of those surveyed use are not prepared feel protected
Brazil
93%
their car mainly for
their day-to-day
to live when they are
78%
journeys. without a car. in their car.
China
92%
7 out of 10 motorists
91%
9 out of 10 people
Spain
92%
73%
United States
85%
79%
are attached to their car
France
79%
91% associate cars mainly for practical reasons.
91%
with freedom.
47%
Italy
72% (like in 2017)
Japan
87%
79%
Netherlands
87%
59%
Poland
96%
86%
Portugal
90%
75% believe that the health
88%
crisis has reinforced
U. Kingdom
75% the feeling of freedom
90% their car gives them.
Turkey
87%
50 51CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
THE REINVENTION
OF A UNION
Derided but irreplaceable Criticised but essential Ostracised
but timeless Motorists are in a perpetual love-hate
relationship with cars. But like many couples who have gone
through difficult times and have always been able to talk
their way out of tough situations, it looks as though the pair
still have a bright future ahead of them. But this will require
the terms and scope of their union to be reinvigorated and
a new lifestyle to be adopted.
53CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
COMPLEMENTARITY
Fig. 31
Are you in favour of or opposed to urban planning that makes more space for sustainable modes of travel
(walking, cycling, scooters,
of travel (walking, etc.), evenetc.),
cycling, scooters, if it even
means penalising
if it or restricting
means penalising the use ofthe
or restricting cars?
use of cars?
Select one answer only. Proportion “In Favour”.
IS THE WATCHWORD
Source: L’Observatoire Cetelem de l’Automobile.
EUROPEAN
32% 15-COUNTRY
35%
AVERAGE 47% AVERAGE 47%
Strongly in favour Somewhat in favour In favour 79% 82%
49%
South Africa 37%
86%
33%
Germany 43%
76%
24%
Belgium 44%
68%
52%
A DESIRE FOR CARS TO COHABIT WITH Brazil 44%
96%
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS 28%
As we have seen, the status afforded to cars is being China 64%
called into question, especially in cities. However, 92%
it appears that what people would like is not to 37%
Spain 50%
remove them from the landscape, but rather to 87%
establish an open relationship that leaves room 34%
United States 44%
for other, more forward-looking forms of transport, 78%
preferably carbon-free. Indeed, 82% of the 27%
individuals surveyed believe that we can live with France 46%
73%
fewer cars and more sustainable transport solutions 33%
(Fig. 31). This desire for urban cohabitation, in every Italy 55%
88%
sense of the word, is shared in all countries.
20%
Once again, this is a topic that brings to light the Japan 57%
usual geographic divides. On one side are the 77%
strongest proponents of such ideas: the emerging 24%
Netherlands 47%
and Mediterranean countries, as well as China. 71%
On the other are France, Germany and Belgium, 32%
Poland 48%
the three countries in which Green parties hold the 80%
most power, but where people are less vehement 53%
in expressing such convictions, given that this form Portugal 39%
92%
of cohabitation seems self-evident and has already 29%
been partly implemented. Sales of traditional and U. Kingdom 51%
80%
electric bicycles (e-bikes), which were already
54%
booming before the health crisis, in addition to the Turkey 33%
development of cycle lanes in these countries and 87%
others, are proof of this.
54 55CARS: AN IMPOSSIBLE DIVORCE?
Fig. 32 / Context URBAN TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS and useful, more than half also believe that they
Cycling infrastructure developed in response to COVID-19 ARE ESSENTIAL, BUT ALSO are too widespread and sufficiently restrictive
Sources: (1) Le Parisien, (2) Paris City Hall, (3) Welovecycling, (4) The Boston Globe. TOO COMMON (Fig. 35). There seems to be a belief that the tipping
On the question of traffic restrictions, there is a point between “carrot and stick” is about to be
similar degree of ambivalence: car use must be reached and there is no need to go any further.
Temporary cycle paths set up in several major French cities, including 150 km in Paris
controlled, but not to excess. While 3 in 4 people However, this has not prevented some countries
and its suburbs(1)
France
believe that road space rationing, congestion from planning a stricter future in which diesel and
Paris(2) charges and bans on certain vehicles are essential petrol vehicles will be persona non grata in cities.
“RER Vélo” project officially launched: 650 km of cycle paths
Brussels(3)
Belgium
40 km of new cycle paths and promotion of bicycle use
Fig. 34 / Context
Milan(3)
Italy Key figures for low-emission zones
Redevelopment of 35 km of public space, creation of new cycle paths and reduction of speed limits Does not take into account jobs in non-manufacturing sectors (retail, rental, etc.).
Almost 250
Sources: Transport & Environment, ADEME, Financial Times.
+40%
Boston(4)
United States
Development of temporary cycle paths, with the intention of making them permanent
Fig. 33 / Context zones with traffic restrictions
traffic-restricted zones
in Europe in April 2020,
Key figures for the electric bicycle (e-bike) market in Europe between 2011 and 2020.
concentrated in the main cities.
Sources: (1) Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry, (2) Market and Markets, (3) ECF, (4) Shimano.
x2 3 million 17% 2030 2040 2030
A planned end to the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles
e-bikes sales in Europe e-bike sold in Europe share of the bicycle
23% 1 in 4 Europeans
by 2025.(1) in 2019.(2) market.(3)
Netherlands France United Kingdom
of e-bike sales would like to buy an e-bike
between 2018 and 2019.(3) or already own one in 2020.(4)
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