Are young people likely to attend the Paris Motor Show, from October 14 to 20 in Paris? Contrary to popular belief, they have a strong affinity for cars and are not ready to give them up: this is the conclusion of a study conducted in fourteen countries by the Cetelem Observatory, led by its director, Flavien Neuvy. The same survey was conducted in 2011. “It was then the beginning of environmental awareness” explains the economist, and this concern has increased since then. He therefore expected a greater rejection than in 2011 and admitted “surprised by the testimonies of those under 30” who say the opposite.
“To put it simply and directly, they love cars, they are not ready and especially do not want to do without them”, he concludes. They are even willing to bet, at 47%, that cars will occupy more space than today in thirty years. Only 29% thought so in 2011. “Striking enthusiasm” believes Flavien Neuvy, which is also reflected in the popularity of Formula 1 or motorcycle Grands Prix. Even if everything is not rational, he sees it as a double sign of confidence in electricity and in the progress made by brands to reduce emissions and pollution.
Across Europe, more and more young people (seven out of ten according to the observatory) have adopted the bicycle for their travels, but this does not lead them to give up cars. Especially if they have one. Certainly 38% say they can imagine their life without it, a proportion which has increased in fifteen years, but for six out of ten, it is inconceivable. They are increasingly open to carpooling: on average, in the fourteen countries, one in two young people under the age of 30 practice it, compared to less than one in three fifteen years ago. If the Japanese and Italians shy away from this sharing, the Chinese and Turks are very diligent.
The license is still obtained at a young age, for those who take the plunge: 91% do it before the age of 25 in France and three out of four before the age of 21. One in two young French, German or Italian people buys their first car before they turn 20. Young Chinese wait five more years. But they favor new items, which young Europeans have difficulty affording. Above all, they devote a much larger part of their income to it. According to the Cetelem survey, young people (under 30) surveyed in China say they earn 15,537 euros on average per year, compared to 22,800 euros for a young French person, but the former are ready to spend 21,518 euros for their first vehicle compared to 12,290 euros for a French person. Logically, the Chinese (97%, a plebiscite) are those who say they are the most “attached” to their car, as to a person, almost sentimentally. The most distant are the Dutch or the Japanese. Young French people are between the two.
