- “Engines of Change”, a study by the Future Mobility Centre of Inchcape, gathered the opinions of 6,000 consumers across 13 countries. The study concludes that private car ownership plays a significant social role as a facilitator of well-being, inclusion, and opportunities. However, fulfilling this role sustainably requires a shift towards less polluting vehicles, in a transition that will only be effective if it adapts to the specific needs and circumstances of each country.
Inchcape, the world’s leading independent automotive distributor, and the market research leader Ipsos, presented the findings of their regional study on sustainable mobility in Latin America, “Engines of Change”, which highlights the social value of personal mobility by showing that car ownership is closely linked to improved quality of life, social inclusion, and access to basic services.
“The transition to sustainable mobility is not just about technology; it’s about people. By listening to consumers and understanding their expectations, concerns, and motivations, we can enable solutions that address both global sustainability goals and consumers’ mobility needs,” said Laura Viegas, Communications and Sustainability Director for Inchcape Americas.
Key findings
The quantitative research conducted by Ipsos in Latin America and Censuswide in Asia-Pacific revealed that 86% of respondents in Latin America believe that owning a vehicle improves their quality of life. Additionally, 81% associate it with better job opportunities, and 77% with greater security and an active social life. In both Latin America and Asia-Pacific, private cars are seen as tools that provide well-being, autonomy, and a source of inclusion and greater community interaction.
However, the automotive industry faces a complex challenge: road transport accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The study provides some insights into addressing this dilemma through a market-specific transition to new technology vehicles with reduced emissions.
Mauricio Ramírez, Director of the Marketing and Innovation Research Unit at Ipsos, explained that “the significance of the study lies in two main points: on the one hand, it provides a robust diagnosis of the current situation faced by the automotive sector and mobility — a key dimension of our societal life — and, on the other hand, it lays the groundwork for an evolutionary analysis of its progress in the coming years.”
Willingness to change
Consumers in each country show varying levels of willingness to change, related to the current maturity and penetration of the category.
The first contrast between the two regions is the level of awareness of the category. In Asia-Pacific, where 26% of respondents report already owning an NEV, more than 80% are familiar with both fully electric and hybrid technologies, compared to less than 40% in Latin America.
Even so, 57% of Latin Americans view new energy vehicles (NEVs) positively, while 37% cite environmental awareness as the main driver for change. However, 65% indicate they would opt for a traditional combustion engine vehicle for their next purchase. The main barriers to change are the high purchase price and the lack of charging infrastructure.
The findings of “Engines of Change” reveal a significant opportunity for Latin America to integrate NEVs into its transport systems, showing that the mobility transition can be achieved more quickly and equitably through collaboration between policymakers, automotive manufacturers, distributors, and the energy industry. The report also outlines specific solutions, such as subsidies and tax and circulation benefits for consumers, as well as promoting investment in infrastructure expansion. In all cases, these measures must align with market realities to build consumer trust and address their concerns.
This report is the first from the Future Mobility Centre of Inchcape, a new knowledge hub offering practical insights on how to make the global mobility transition sustainable, equitable, and effective.