We analyzed 10 years of earnings transcripts from some of the largest automakers and found that connectivity remains top of mind for OEMs.
Connectivity has been on the radar for automakers for over two decades, but OEMs have only recently started investing in it. In 2017, corporate investment to connected car tech startups reached a new peak as it surpassed $500M in annual financing.
We used our Earnings Transcripts tool to gauge how OEM executives and Wall Street analysts are currently thinking about the connected vehicle, which we define as any technology that connects vehicles to a network or enhances the driving experience through real-time diagnostic feeds, smart navigation, or advanced driver assistance.
Our analysis looks at earnings transcripts from BMW Group, Daimler, General Motors, Ferrari, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Company, Groupe PSA, Groupe Renault, Honda, SAIC, Tata Motors, Tesla, Toyota Motor Corporation, Volkswagen, and Volvo Group.
The chart below shows the combined mentions of connectivity-related words, which have tracked above historical levels in recent quarters.
