The survey, which asked 4,990 drivers in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and China said that assessing the availability of parking spaces near a destination is the most desired feature. This is true for Chinese drivers, while European drivers classified it as their second priority, only 1 percent behind the top-rated choice. Meanwhile, American drivers placed importance to the feature at 67 percent—just 3 percent behind their top priority—traffic information.

Drivers in Western Europe and China are increasingly concerned about whether they will be able to find parking at their destination. Additionally, those with larger vehicles have a higher preference to reserve spaces at their destination. The survey results show drivers’ increasing expectation for parking to be seamlessly integrated into the in-car navigation process.

Having in-car connected services that help with finding a parking space was not only the top priority for late adopters in Europe, but also for the youngest drivers aged 18-24 years old.

Parking space information ranked similarly high in the USA, with 18–24-year-olds and 35-44 year-olds citing it as their top priority, notably 6 places above alerts such as traffic for younger drivers. This shows the younger generation looking to avoid receiving streams of alerts during journeys and preferring to be automatically re-routed to their destination with parking successfully at their destination cited as their most significant concern.

Other desired connected services are all driving-related. Aside from parking information, traffic alerts, and payment for parking, fuel, and toll are the most desired features.

For example, in-car payments have become a highly desirable function, with a probability of choice for 56 percent of global respondents and ranking just 12 percent behind the top global priority. The results show drivers gaining increased confidence using these services due to the reduction in perceived complexity and valuing the heightened convenience and removal of physical contact required.

For example, figures from China show that the ability to make in-car payments has changed from being a “nice-to-have” to a “highly desirable” established feature for many young drivers—with double-digit year-on-year growth expected in this market from 2022 to 2030. This recognizes that motorists have an increased level of trust in making payments from their vehicles and a desire for maximum convenience and a seamless user experience.

The survey also highlights how fashionable new features such as in-car games, email or social media integrations and calendar management, which are now available in an increasing range of cars, are typically seen as far less desirable than those that are journey-related.