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Why Millennials Just Don't Care About Cars

Internet obsession is a big reason, but it's not the only one.

By Claire_Martin Apr 4, 2012 6:46AM
Smart ForTwo photo by Smart.It's true that members of the generation known as Millennials, or "Generation Y," are more interested in going online than getting behind the wheel of a car. A new study by the Transportation Research Institute of the University of Michigan shows an inversely proportional relationship between Internet use and driver licensing rates across this demographic. But the reasons for their automobile apathy go well beyond the Web. Here are the top six.

1. They don't need cars to get around: Millennials are drawn to cities, where public transportation is plentiful and parking is a hassle. "Millennials are more likely than past generations to live in an urban community," writes Jordan Weissmann in The Atlantic. "This may be part of what terrifies car makers." 

2. They don't think cars are worth the trouble: "They hate waiting in traffic and don’t love the cost of maintaining vehicles," says Neil Chambers of Treehugger.com. "They dislike the amount of land used for parking lots, roads and highways, and they loath the alternatives car companies are offering."

3. They like to share: They're drawn to the mobility and convenience of cars, but they seek out alternatives to car ownership. About 53 percent of Millennials recently surveyed by Zipcar said they would likely use a car-sharing service. "Millennials recognize the limited value of paying so much for something they use so little," says Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "They want the freedom to drive, but reject the financial burden of car ownership." 

4. They value their free time: Even in car-centric Los Angeles, college students would swap car ownership for more time to do other things. "A [UCLA] student explained that taking a bus usually increases her travel time by 60 to 90 minutes," according to Chambers' research. Nevertheless, the student and her friends still do it. "[I]t frees them up to read, study, do homework, text friends, engage social media and, well, 'just stare off into space.'"

5. They're concerned about the environment, but they're broke: According to Zipcar's study, 55 percent of Millennials surveyed have made a conscious decision to drive less. Environmental concerns, increased use of social media and the expense of vehicle ownership were their reasons. But in addition, they're not buying hybrids or electric vehicles because they can't afford the high sticker prices and the costly maintenance. Instead, they avoid driving altogether. And if they do buy a new vehicle, it's something small, inexpensive and fuel-efficient, like a Smart car.  

6. They don't really have anywhere to go: Millennials suffered during the recession, so they don't need cars for one very practical reason. According to Dale Buss, of Forbes: "Millennials have been hard-hit by unemployment since the beginning of the Great Recession and so [they] have less need or occasion to use a vehicle to get to work."
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Outside the Boxer
Apr 8, 2012 5:57PM
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The Corporations find a way to market gadgets, cars, and home using the might of Advertising dollar behind how? fooli**** not the own their product or services. The blood sucking banks issue credit card and home loans and sell mortgage backed securities with a flawed model of perputual incrmental value and we are suckered into buying into it even if you own a simple checking/saving account in the bank.
Capitalism at what cost you wonder.


Outside the Boxer
Apr 8, 2012 5:51PM
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I wonder what the overpriced spoiled Car Companies who tout new cars/turcks/SUV's whose differentiate is a shade of the color. IT Would be interesting to see how? these car companies going to market cars that lead to  the demise of well knit communities who cared for its neighborhoods.
Bravo, to this game changing future generation that is doing something good that the predecessors did not do

Take Care



Dave000000001
Apr 6, 2012 6:51PM
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I think it's all about the current cost and lack of jobs that prevents the 'Y' generation from getting into cars. Current new cars, FUEL, and insurance just cost way to much compared to the past even when you account for inflation. Also now days you almost have to go to college to get a decent paying job, in the past when the U.S. had a manufacturing base you could get a decent paying job when you were young and college didn't cost so much because they knew there were alternatives. The worst part about present days is that even with a college education, in most cases all you get for it is a huge amount of debt. If the U.S. could bring back manufacturing and get people a more diverse selection of jobs, then young people will have money and nice cars to be interested in. I'm in my 20's and I pay a lot for my truck.  I can barely afford it, but it's my main hobby and I have to rely on it to get to work because there is no decent public transportation where I live and the weather is way to unpredictable to drive a car. I also have to go to multiple locations so living near where I work is out of the question. I had a car, but it almost got me trapped twice when it flooded really bad after a huge storm and it's just too dangerous when it snows. I have to go to work when I'm called in too, the military won't take no for an answer.
sctr-rdr
Apr 6, 2012 3:16AM
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Um, people who live in the cities do so for the very reason that's the life they want to live.  There isn't anything unusual about not wanting to own a car when you live in the city.  Living in a city and not wanting to drive is rational.  It's not some ground shaking change in demographics.  It's always been this way.   You live the lifestyle you can afford.  And if you earn enough, and you Want to live in the suburbs or further out, then you do.  There's no lack of car culture that I'm aware of beyond a very natural change in any given society from one generation to the next.  BUT...  If Gas prices and insurance costs and maybe some driving laws became less restrictive (we can all think for ourselves thank you) maybe there would be a natural resurgance of car clubs of all ages etc.

 

You really want to see a resurgance in car appreciation and use?  Start lobbying your senators for some common sense in terms of repealing of many current laws, and fewer but better laws to replace them.

 

Why would anyone who didn't have to drive in the city the live in, do it when something as incidental as a parking ticket can cost so much?  Never mind the price of having a car towed for whatever reason. 

 

I'm waiting for the day the uprising starts when people collectively begin demanding "Hey local govt, this city is ours not yours.  WE pay for it"

 

scootr-rdr

Jim S.
Apr 5, 2012 2:12PM
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I went to college in the late 1970s, and can relate very well to this.  "Low Budget" was a song released by the Kinks in the late 1970s.  The lyrics clue you in on the times. Cars were not as maintenance-free and reliable as today's.  Cars could be expensive to own and operate, jobs weren't paying that well, and environmental pollution was a concern.  Mass transit, walking and cycling were especially good options if you lived in an urban area.  In fact, your dad was probably very proud of his 10-speed bike, which you might have since converted into a SS/FG. In many ways, "The Song Remains the Same".  If you can "live car free", "more power to you".

sctr-rdr
Apr 5, 2012 12:24PM
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Um, people who live in the cities do so for the very reason that's the life they want to live.  There isn't anything unusual about not wanting to own a car when you live in the city.  Living in a city and not wanting to drive is rational.  It's not some ground shaking change in demographics.  It's always been this way.   You live the lifestyle you can afford.  And if you earn enough, and you Want to live in the suburbs or further out, then you do.  There's no lack of car culture that I'm aware of beyond a very natural change in any given society from one generation to the next.  BUT...  If Gas prices and insurance costs and maybe some driving laws became less restrictive (we can all think for ourselves thank you) maybe there would be a natural resurgance of car clubs of all ages etc.

 

You really want to see a resurgance in car appreciation and use?  Start lobbying your senators for some common sense in terms of repealing of many current laws, and fewer but better laws to replace them.

 

Why would anyone who didn't have to drive in the city the live in, do it when something as incidental as a parking ticket can cost so much?  Never mind the price of having a car towed for whatever reason. 

 

I'm waiting for the day the uprising starts when people collectively begin demanding "Hey local govt, this city is ours not yours.  WE pay for it"

 

scootr-rdr

xpert1
Apr 5, 2012 6:30AM
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I will be bold enough to propose that a major reason that the younger generations aren't that fascinated with vehicle ownership is the cost. Wages and benefits are pittiful and forking over a major portion of your income (if your one of the fortunate ones to just have a job) is enough to just say no. I feel badly for the young people today who do not have the disposable income to provide wads to waste on cars much less customizing and personalizing them like we did. Wages have been stagnant for more than three decades and this is perhaps the real reason. If wages were more in line with the prices of these new cars today you would likely see many more young people happy to own them. Smile

USAF1123
Apr 4, 2012 1:22PM
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It's true, and it's depressing. I'm 20, and I'm a car guy, have been since I was a little kid. But our numbers are growing smaller every year. To me, It's sad. I was asked just today by a peer what the difference between an STI and GTI was. I have yet to meet a peer who knows what a Peugeot 908 or Audi R18 is. Yes, we gain what some call "sensibility," but at what cost? We're losing soul and heart. We're losing what it feels like to throw into second before taking a turn too fast, or what it feels like to get a perfect 2nd to 3rd change while speeding down an empty highway. We're losing what makes cars FUN. And the fact that I might grow old in world where thundering V8's and high pitched European V12's are a thing of past...that...to me, that is one of the most depressing things of all.

To quote the man himself, Jeremy Clarkson: "We are an endangered species, you and I. We lovers of speed. We devotees of power, performance and noise. 'Go away,' we are told. And take your carbon fiber and your fire spitting V12's with you. There's hardly a place for us out here anymore. Not among all the commuters and congestion. Not it this growing age of safety and restraint. Where practicality trumps adrenaline. Where 'miles per gallon' is championed over 'horsepower to weight.' The evidence is everywhere. You and I are being squeezed out and pushed aside, and hunted down at every hairpin turn."
Troy Monroe (great_life)
Apr 4, 2012 9:52AM
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In short, they are lazy

 

I disagree, I work with many millennials that will complete more work then anyone else I know and they except change better then previous generations and don't complain about it. On the flip side many of them do use public transportation or their bikes to go to work because they live so close to work. To me, that's smart!  Problem is the media's perception has given them a bad rap and like it or not they are in the work force.  

Alan Westerlin
Apr 4, 2012 8:33AM
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In short, they are lazy. They don't want to accept responsibility. They refuse to be accountable for their actions. We have raised a generation that doesn't care because they were taught that we are all winners and there are no losers and everyone still gets a trophy.
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