Next generation of drivers not keen on autonomous cars

The automotive industry may think self-driving, plug-in cars are the way of the future but the next generation of drivers isn't so sure. In the US, a study by Cox Automotive, focused on Generation Z (those currently under 17) found tech-savvy teens had a healthy dose of scepticism about autonomous cars.

It found that 65 per cent saw "lack of trust in the technology" as a major barrier to accepting self-driving cars. A further 41 per cent didn't think robot cars would drive as well as people. Seems as if kids love their iPhones, but aren't so sure about an iCar.

The industry should listen, given it is estimated this section of the population will have a combined purchasing power of $US3.2 trillion by 2020, when the technology is tipped to be more common.

72 per cent of car-loving Gen-Zers would give up social media for a year to get into a new car

The study also found Gen- Zers are more enthusiastic about driving than Millennials, whose indifference has kept car industry execs up at night.

Cox says 92 per cent of respondents plan to own a car and 97 per cent intend to get their licence. As a father of three children aged 19 to 22 who haven't yet bothered to get a licence or buy a car, that's music to my ears.

But wait, there's more — 72 per cent of car-loving Gen-Zers would give up social media for a year to get into a new car. A third would give up their mobile phone.

Fuel efficient cars are more important to Gen-Zers but they appear more interested in the bowser savings than the global warming impacts. They seem to be a more practical lot than Millennials. Style and brand are less important to them; they are more drawn to "traditional, practical and trusted" brands such as Ford and Honda.

Despite the hype, only 1 per cent cited Tesla as a preferred brand.

They also place greater importance on safety than earlier generations did at their age, which hopefully will translate to fewer people texting while they drive.

Where do you stand on autonomous cars? Let us know in the comments below.