As Young Lose Interest in Cars, G.M. Turns to MTV for Help

[phantom power]

He and his team are trying to help General Motors solve one of the most vexing problems facing the car industry: many young consumers today just do not care that much about cars.

That is a major shift from the days when the car stood at the center of youth culture and wheels served as the ultimate gateway to freedom and independence. Young drivers proudly parked Impalas at a drive-in movie theater, lusted over cherry red Camaros as the ultimate sign of rebellion or saved up for a Volkswagen Beetle on which to splash bumper stickers and peace signs. Today Facebook, Twitter and text messaging allow teenagers and 20-somethings to connect without wheels. High gas prices and environmental concerns don’t help matters.

“They think of a car as a giant bummer,” said Mr. Martin. “Think about your dashboard. It’s filled with nothing but bad news.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/business/media/to-draw-reluctant-young-buyers-gm-turns-to-mtv.html

[exboyfil]

1. There is no money for cars

I am adding my 16 year old daughter to my insurance, and the agent asked when I would be getting a third car. I laughed and said maybe never - she will probably get her own car when she graduates from college (just like I did). It will all depend on what kind of internships she can line up after her freshman year. If she can get away with not driving, then she won't have a car. I might even give her my car and walk the four miles to work to avoid the extra expense over the summer. She will not need a car in college.

[madrchsod]

3. my daughter did`t get her licence until she was 18

she did`t want to drive then when she did get her licence i had to drive her in my car or her`s. she finally got a boyfriend to drive her around!

[madrchsod]

2. to expensive for the wages paid

my daughter makes 14 an hour...i made 12-14 an hour in 1977-8. gasoline was around 75ct a gallon and rents were no more than 250 for a decent place.

the young do not make enough money

[hunter]

4. Yep, wages are stagnant, the costs of owning a car have increased.

I was making $10 an hour and could easily fill the tank of my car for less than an hour's work. I drove all over the place when I wasn't working. I could also fix my own cars -- they weren't the high-tech monsters they are today.

True, old cars with primitive ignition systems and carburetors seemed to break down more often, but when they did the cost of repairing them wasn't insurmountable. I also lived in a county without smog inspections.

Kids today can't support cars on the wages they make. One stupid "check engine" light before a smog test can knock them to the sidelines if they are not receiving a generous parental subsidy.

I like to think kids are realizing the "freedoms" gained by car ownership are largely an illusion.

In my own pleasant daydreams I live without one.

[silverweb]

5. Trains.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]General Motors used to manufacture trains as well as cars.

Maybe, GM, it's time to get with the times and become a leader in manufacturing high-speed trains -- and advocating more for rail instead of highways.

Seriously, GM. Think about it.