NEW REPORT: Connected Cars Drive $212B Annually In Commerce Spend

The right connections can open up plenty of opportunities. And, in the automotive world, connectivity is helping automakers find new opportunities to rev up in-vehicle purchases among motorists.

Every weekday morning, 135 million U.S. adults drive a car to work, with commutes ranging from as little as 15 minutes to over an hour. During this daily grind, motorists are driving $212 billion in commerce as they drive to and from their workplaces and homes.

Forty percent of these commuters spend over $18.7 billion getting their daily caffeine fix, while 54 percent order ahead and pay for food, influencing $47.3 billion in commerce every year.

While much of today’s commuter commerce is powered by mobile devices, PYMNTS research indicates that offering these commuters in-vehicle connectivity could quickly shift their shopping activities into overdrive. The new Digital Drive Report, a PYMNTS.com/Visa collaboration, asked 2,000 commuters about what connected commerce activities they engage in during their daily commutes – and what other types of purchasing decisions they would likely make if connectivity was built into their vehicle.

But in-vehicle technology is not the only automotive development that could accelerate consumer interest in shopping during the daily commute. Autonomous and self-driving vehicles are one of the most highly anticipated developments in the automotive industry. Not only could this technology dramatically change the way consumers and motorists think about driving and mobility, it could also significantly increase the rate of purchases made during the daily commute. According to PYMNTS findings, over 75 percent of smartphone users who spend more than 30 minutes in traffic traveling to and from work would order ahead more often if their vehicle was both autonomous and connected.

Millennials are also literally making their voices heard when it comes to making in-vehicle purchases. PYMNTS found that 82 percent of millennials would shop more during their commute if voice-activated technology was available. That was more than twice the rate of other commuters.

Other key takeaways include:

66 percent of commuters who make mobile order-ahead purchases today would do so more often if in-vehicle commerce was available in their vehicles.

21 percent of commuters who do not currently connect to the internet while commuting would be interested in owning a self-driving car.

Only 11 percent of commuters are using voice-activated systems to connect to the internet during their drives.

About 40 percent of commuters use their smartphone and apps to look for gas while driving.

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About The Report

The new Digital Drive Report, a PYMNTS.com/Visa collaboration, asked 2,000 commuters about what connected commerce activities they engage in during their daily commutes to and from work – and what other types of purchasing decisions they would likely make if connectivity was built into their vehicles.