(c)iStock.com/erhui1979

A report from the In-Vehicle UX (IVX) group at Strategy Analytics argues that automakers should utilise connected car services to take customer relationship to the next level.

At present, the spotlight is only on infotainment, location-based services and big data at the OEM. However, automakers now have the opportunity to boost consumer perception of their brands with vehicle-related information and services.

The report sheds light on consumer preference towards vehicle service and maintenance reminders, vehicle health reports and their stance on sharing vehicle fault details. The survey covered respondents in the US, Western Europe, and China. The report found that consumers, OEMs, and dealers are set to benefit from such services. There exists robust interest in Western Europe for such services while consumers in the US and China were interested or very interested in each feature discussed.

Today, consumers have access to information on their vehicles, either via the in-vehicle or using a mobile device and they are in a better position to communicate with service centres as they are knowledgeable about issues in their vehicles. Consumers are also more likely to reveal vehicle data to dealers than independent garages.

Chris Schreiner, director of User Experience Innovation Practice (UXIP) and report author, said: “The challenge for OEMs when providing these services is to increase user awareness and make it easy for the consumer to receive and access the information. The more pertinent the information provided, the more likely that consumers will be connected to their cars when outside of them.”