Sunglasses are the most important item that need to be within easy reach of drivers according to a new global research study, “Stuff in Cars,” conducted by Johnson Controls. The study is in response to the ever growing importance of automotive interior design and the need for quality storage solutions. Participants from Europe, the U.S. and China were surveyed on storage attitudes, frequency and importance and current storage/satisfaction and needs. Johnson Controls will utilize this data to influence early product development. Here are some interesting facts:
- Sunglasses are the most important item that need to be within easy reach of drivers.
- Smart phone storage ranked second, and indicated that consumers place a slightly higher importance on storage solutions that offer containment of the phone over accessibility while driving.
- The third most important item were GPS units. With GPS units, consumers expect a storage space that is within reach of the driver.
- Items which are needed from time-to-time such as travel guides or umbrellas, as well as trash are most often stored in the door.
Differences between regional preferences
While some items exist in the top 10 importance list across all regions of the world, such as sunglasses and smart phones, some items only appear in one region.
- Garage door openers only appeared in the top 10 list for the United States.
- Eyeglass cases only appeared in the European top 10.
- Emergency hammer for escaping from the vehicle in case of an accident appeared in the top 10 only in China.
- Consumers in China showed the highest demand for storage options that were designed for a specific item like a smart phone, as they generally are dissatisfied to have items simply lying around in the vehicle.
Different preferences and needs among different vehicle segments
- Luxury segment owners placed the greatest importance on storage that is designed for a specific item, with special emphasis placed on dedicated solutions for smart phones and electronic devices.
- Respondents representing the SUV / CUV / MPV segment place a significantly higher value on storage that is designed for a specific item.
- And the data also validated the belief that van owners agree that they can never have enough storage options in their vehicle.
Picture: The floor console features advancements in storage, lighting and electronics integration. The flexible, ‘peel-to-reveal’ leather-wrapped cover on both sides enables the driver to configure the storage space individually (Johnson Controls)
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