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29th
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I recently read a study that described a noticeable reduction in miles travelled in the U.S. over the last few years. There are numerous possible reasons for this calculated drop, and one of them is technology and how it's shrinking the world around us.
We've all heard that the world is a small place, and never has it been truer than in the 21st Century. When I was 17, I borrowed my parent's car and went to the video store to rent a movie. If I wanted a book or to buy shoes, I jumped in the car and drove myself downtown.
Nowadays, everybody orders stuff online -- be it movies, clothing or books. Increasingly, leaving the house is becoming less of a necessity and more of a burden. Factor in strip malls with grocery stores that are popping up all over the place within a 10-minute walk from the house and the only wheels anyone will every require in the near future will be those on a bicycle or skateboard. Working from one's abode has never been more realistic, either.
Does this mean that the 20-somethings will never leave the house? Is it because all manner of entertainment and basic needs are at one's fingertips that they will never purchase a car?
No.
So long as there are those who prefer outdoor activities to video games, cars will be required to get around. Going to grandma's place in the country with the 1.15 kids (Canadian stats) and dog cannot be done online.
The current trend is that fewer miles are being travelled, not necessarily that fewer cars are being purchased. Still, this tendency could progress to the point where car ownership becomes less of a necessity, what with car-sharing programs and constant improvements being made to public transit.
This may frighten some people (including me), but I've come to the conclusion that the car business has nothing to worry about. Needs are evolving and car makers will go with the times and find ways of integrating technology into all cars.
The bottom line will always be that there is no better or cheaper way to freedom. Cycling is great -- I love it -- but if I want to explore new areas it goes in the car and my automobile takes me to a new place. Plane tickets are expensive and planes, well, are out of reach for most. This leaves the car.
Cars are changing, and will continue to evolve, but they will always remain.
We've all heard that the world is a small place, and never has it been truer than in the 21st Century. When I was 17, I borrowed my parent's car and went to the video store to rent a movie. If I wanted a book or to buy shoes, I jumped in the car and drove myself downtown.
Nowadays, everybody orders stuff online -- be it movies, clothing or books. Increasingly, leaving the house is becoming less of a necessity and more of a burden. Factor in strip malls with grocery stores that are popping up all over the place within a 10-minute walk from the house and the only wheels anyone will every require in the near future will be those on a bicycle or skateboard. Working from one's abode has never been more realistic, either.
Does this mean that the 20-somethings will never leave the house? Is it because all manner of entertainment and basic needs are at one's fingertips that they will never purchase a car?
No.
So long as there are those who prefer outdoor activities to video games, cars will be required to get around. Going to grandma's place in the country with the 1.15 kids (Canadian stats) and dog cannot be done online.
The current trend is that fewer miles are being travelled, not necessarily that fewer cars are being purchased. Still, this tendency could progress to the point where car ownership becomes less of a necessity, what with car-sharing programs and constant improvements being made to public transit.
This may frighten some people (including me), but I've come to the conclusion that the car business has nothing to worry about. Needs are evolving and car makers will go with the times and find ways of integrating technology into all cars.
The bottom line will always be that there is no better or cheaper way to freedom. Cycling is great -- I love it -- but if I want to explore new areas it goes in the car and my automobile takes me to a new place. Plane tickets are expensive and planes, well, are out of reach for most. This leaves the car.
Cars are changing, and will continue to evolve, but they will always remain.
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