Although cars are considered to be of greater interest to men than women, the fact remains that the number of women drivers is also high. In the USA, for example, half of the licensed motorists are female and generally, there is a trend of more women driving and owning cars themselves.
The carmakers have never taken women for granted when designing and equipping cars. Even if they do not drive the car themselves, they are often considered as being influential, especially if the purchase is made by a couple.
However, as John Gray’s book, ‘Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus’, has explained, there are differences in the way men and women think, and this extends also to how their needs and expectations when it comes to cars. They may be similar in most aspects but prioritisation may be different.
With the public transport system yet to be efficient, reliable and appealing enough to attract more users, Malaysians remain car-dependent, resulting in one of the highest car ownership rates in Southeast Asia. A new survey conducted by the BMW Group in Southeast Asia reveals just how car-dependent Malaysian drivers are, with 85% of respondents indicating that they drive every one to three days – either commuting to and from the office (74%), run daily errands (65%), or travel on the weekends (36%).
Encouragingly, 8 out of 10 of Malaysian drivers also wish to see more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, with the hope of contributing to a more environmentally conscious world – not to mention save on fuel costs. Reduced carbon emissions (72%), cost savings from using electricity instead of petrol (49%) and a more premium experience (40%) are just some of the key benefits cited by drivers who see the merits of electrification of motor vehicles.
Nevertheless, misconceptions on EVs remain and, at this time, more than half of the Malaysian drivers surveyed say that they will still likely choose a petrol vehicle (59%) for their next purchase. Some common concerns raised were the electric range of EVs, the maintenance costs, as well as the difficulty in keeping their EVs charged. Specifically, 33% of respondents believe that EVs can only travel up to 100 kms before requiring a recharge; another 41% expect EVs to be more expensive to service or maintain over a period of 10 years; while 29% believe that charging EVs would be ‘difficult’.
Valid as they are for any prospective EV owner, these are the concerns of yesterday. As exemplified by BMW i’s pioneering progress in electrified mobility over the years, the technology surrounding EVs and the ecosystem developed to support them have come a long way. With the arrival of the latest BMW i fleet, as well as the expansion of the BMW i public charging network, Malaysians can be more confident switching to EVs.
“It is encouraging to see the level of awareness and excitement around sustainable mobility, and that Malaysian drivers see EVs as the gateway to a more premium driving experience. Being the pioneer of electrified mobility in Malaysia and having been in the field since 2015, we have observed how Malaysian drivers are receptive and even enthusiastic about transitioning to EVs but remain concerned about key issues surrounding it – all of which we have been actively working to alleviate,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
He added: “In addition to introducing the best that we have to offer with the latest fleet of vehicles from BMW i, we have also been proactively developing our infrastructure for charging the vehicles. With these initiatives, there is also an opportunity to change the perception of prospective EV owners in Malaysia on the significant advancements made and that an electric future for the passenger vehicle market in Malaysia is closer than they think. In the end, it is about helping Malaysians realise that they now have a greater Power of Choice to adopt a more sustainable way of mobility.”
The latest EVs from BMW i tackle many of the past and current concerns Malaysians have towards adopting EVs. According to the survey, a significant number of them (39%) have the perception that EVs can only travel up to 100 kms before needing to recharge. That’s an out-of-date number and with BMW i models, the maximum range can be as much as 425 kms. With the premise that most Malaysians travel up to 20 km daily at most, recharging would thus be only necessary roughly once every two to three weeks. That range would also make it possible to go from the Klang Valley to Johor Bahru too, without recharging.
Another perception is around the difficulty of charging EVs – with 29% of Malaysians surveyed believing that the process of charging an EV can prove troublesome. However, in many ways, charging a BMW i vehicle would not be disruptive, partly due to its sufficient electric range allowing for less frequent charging. Additionally, a BMW i Wallbox can be installed at home for overnight charging.
The latest BMW i vehicles are also compatible with DC fast-charging, which BMW Group Malaysia has begun to deploy across its dealership network, public spaces and on the highways, in collaboration with its premium partners. Fast-charging shortens recharging time, so the wait is shorter.
On the misconception that EVs are more expensive to service and maintain – a view held by 41% of survey respondents – EVs actually cost less in this regard, due to having fewer components in the vehicle that require servicing. Components and elements, such as engine oil, sparkplugs and air filters, are absent in an EV.
Aside from this, the woes of battery replacements are also mitigated due to the modular nature of the lithium-ion battery packs at the heart of every electrified BMW. With multiple modules making up the battery pack, the cost of replacement is greatly reduced as owners need to replace only the faulty module, not the entire battery pack.
Further peace of mind is also ensured courtesy of substantial warranty programmes, such as the BMW 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, and the BMW 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty. In fact, the survey revealed battery warranty as a motivation to adopt EVs for 39% of Malaysian drivers, while good aftersales support makes up 35%.
Another key motivator is the level of support Malaysians have from the government, as expressed by 45% of respondents. The Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) incentive in the Malaysian automotive policy has encouraged BMW to assemble plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models locally and this year, full duty exemption for EVs is a very welcome development that will narrow the gap in pricing between EVs and traditional vehicles.
“Increased support and confidence from key players in the industry will play a significant role in getting Malaysian drivers comfortable with making the switch over the next few years. As a market leader and pioneer in the Electric Vehicle space, we are committed to delivering innovation that will truly make a change in the Malaysian automotive landscape, while continuing to deliver Sheer Driving Pleasure,” Mr. de Visser said.
Almost all (97%) of residents in Malaysia who participated in a survey think that owning a car is important and 67% still see the car as the ideal mode of transport. However, more than half (51%) said that they would consider giving up car ownership and rely on long-term car rental if it was convenient and easy for them.
This is the finding of ‘The Road Ahead: The Future of Mobility’, a new report by Avis Budget Group which examines the way in which the mobility landscape is changing around the world, how it is likely to look in the future and, how people in different countries view these changes.
In the research conducted across 16 countries in Europe and Asia, including Malaysia, respondents revealed that over the next decade, consumers are likely to move to an access-driven and on-demand model as their favourite mode of transportation.
Technology drives transport revolution
The single biggest factor leading the transport revolution is technology, specifically 5G networks. Most recently, the Malaysia government has started a nationwide demonstration of 5G projects that indicated it was on track to becoming one of the first Asian countries to launch the technology. Once implemented, the large amounts of data provided by the 5G networks will enable mobility companies to collect and mine data for insight, which can be used to improve travel experiences.
To this point, the Avis Budget Group’s research revealed that 73% of respondents feel comfortable having their data accessed and shared for the implementation of smart infrastructure and better travel experience. More than 4-in-5 (81%) of respondents also expect driving to become easier in the coming years.
“Driven by technology advancements and the influence of services like Amazon, Netflix and Spotify, people today want to consume and access products and services at the click of a button. The expectation for an on-demand service has impacted the mobility industry and resulted in the evolution we’re seeing today – from being able to book a taxi instantly to hiring a car for a week-long holiday – all from your smartphone. However, our report reveals that we are now seeing a rise in this demand for instant access and flexibility, resulting in changing behaviours towards car ownership,” said Keith Rankin, President, International, Avis Budget Group.
“Changing needs and the expansion of the sharing economy offer both challenges and opportunities for the mobility industry. Our research has shown that whilst consumers are expectant of connected, integrated and on-demand services, they still want convenience at a reasonable price.
“It’s imperative that different mobility players work together to ensure the future needs of consumers are met. We have demonstrated the success of collaboration, as shown with our fleet management as a service (FMaaS) partnerships with Via and Lyft, and our agreements with Ford and Continental in providing connected cars,” he added. “Our partnerships demonstrate well how the sector can work together to provide the on-demand and connected services that customers want. These can range from a technology giant delivering 5G, or local governments working with the private sector for improved, urban electric vehicle access for residents.”
Contrary to popular belief, Many SUV owners believe that four-wheel-drive capability is a nessesity rather than a means to show off. Atleast that’s what BuyaCar.co.uk was able to surmise from it’s most recent survey. Owners cited snow and persistent flooding as reasons for needing the extra traction.
Though there is a discernible difference between all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive systems in terms of functionality, for this particular instance, we will ignore that fact. The survey says that more than 70% have admitted to have driven in conditions where conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles would have been left stranded.
Interviews with 316 four-wheel-drive owners has revealed that older SUV owners have a higher appreciation for all-wheel-drive stability for snow driving. But in general, one in four people had no idea if they have ever needed this system but like the reassurance that it provides. However, one in five say that they need it on a regular basis due to worsening road conditions, flooding and the need to traverse muddy areas.
Austin Collins, Managing Director of BuyaCar.co.uk, said, “There is a long standing joke that the closest most four-wheel drive owners get to driving off-road is negotiating the humps in the supermarket car park, but our findings suggest otherwise.”
There are differences between men and women when it comes to why they purchased an SUV. Men who currently own such a vehicle are more than twice as likely to claim that they require the 4WD capability. But, one in four women have admitted that it wasn’t a requirement but welcome the safety assurance that SUVs provide.
Popularity of SUVs have soared in recent years despite the gradual rise of petrol prices and the volatility of the current economic climate. Many believe that the benefits of such a vehicle far outweigh the drawbacks. And the recent survey That was conducted by BuyaCar.co.uk, supports this notion.
Porsche’s 911 and Macan models have achieved top ratings in their respective segments of J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. The results are based on surveys taken by more than 77,000 private individuals who rated 243 models and 33 manufacturers.
This is the sixth consecutive time that the 911 has retained the top spot but is only the Macan’s third time. Since 2012, Porsche’s stalwart 911 has between its rivals to retain the top spot in the “Midsize Premium sporty Car” category. And according to the data collected, many US customers have high regard for Porsche branded vehicles and can attest to the high quality of the Macan.
J.D. power is a US based global marketing information service that conducts customer satisfaction surveys to determine the quality and reliability of products, especially when it comes to vehicles.
“Quality is the essence of the Porsche brand, we do not compromise”, said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Over more than five decades, we have continued to significantly enhance, refine and perfect the 911, in order to offer our customers the highest possible level of quality.”
For the Initial Quality Study, J.D. Powers surveys new car owners once a year, about 90 days after they have taken delivery of their vehicles. This year, owners were asked questions spanning 233 different criteria in various categories between February and May.
Apparently, owners’ evaluations covered topics including “driving experience” as well as experience with the performance and reliability of the engine and transmission of their respective vehicles.
