Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass

Yahoo ^ | 9-21-2010 | Jim Ostroff

[Gordon Pym]

Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass The generation gap is a growing, long-term headache for automakers.

Buzz Up! By Jim Ostroff Selling cars to young adults under 30 is proving to be a real challenge for automakers. Unlike their elders, Generation Yers own fewer cars and don’t drive much. They’re likely to see autos as a source of pollution, not as a sex or status symbol.

Motorists aged 21 to 30 now account for 14% of miles driven, down from 21% in 1995.

They’re more apt to ride mass transit to work and use car sharing services -- pioneered by Zipcar -- for longer trips. And car sharing choices are expanding, with car rental firms moving into the market, making it convenient for young folks to rent with hourly rates and easy insurance. Connect by Hertz, for example, is rolling out its car sharing services in the New York metropolitan area, with plans to eventually expand them to around 40 college campuses nationwide.

[Tory_canuck]

I prefer driving my 1995 Ford Explorer over mass transit because I decide who gets to ride in it and who doesn’t. It may be an old vehicle, but it is MY property and it is paid for. I am 24.

[Melas]

I have an Explorer as well. It’s just not my choice of vehicles. If I drive it home from work, I just get frustrated with traffic and add more stress to my day. If I ride a bicycle home from work, I love every minute of it, and I get home in a much better mood than when I left work.