In a maturing EV market, lifestyle features matter more than ever.
Plenty of EVs are powerful and well-made. Lifestyle features matter more than ever.
Here are 3 notable lifestyle features, available in new EVs on display at the LA Auto Show:
๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐ | ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ค
When configured with the Executive Second Row, the Escalade IQ becomes a mobile office.
๐๐น๐ฒ๐
๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐บ | ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฉ๐ผ๐น๐ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
The rear cargo areaโs Flexboard System, which puts a shelf over two fabric storage bins, creates a flat floor when the 2nd and 3rd row seats are folded down. Add an air mattress and the ID Buzz becomes a climate-controlled camper van.
๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฎ.๐ฌ | ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ถ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ต
The center storage console: (1) slides back and forth to make it more accessible (2) has an armrest lid that opens from both front and rear, (3) has removable shelving and (4) has a drawer in the rear (which will likely be temperature-controlled in the near future). Ultimately, this center storage console makes the Ionic 9 cabin function more like a mobile family room.
But do these small features *really* matter?
As electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities advance, consumers expect their vehicles to enhance their lives. They want to enjoy their time in their vehicles. Every little feature counts.
Consider the design choices of the ultimate luxury brand: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
During the Rolls global resurgence over the last 20 years (from <300 to selling over 6,000 vehicles annually), the brand has smartly expanded their lifestyle accessories and built-in features, including โCool Boxโ refrigerators, picnic tables, custom-fitted luggage, humidors, extra cushions, and of course the aesthetically beautiful Starlight Headlining.
What was the feature that started it all?
๐ง๐ฒ๐ณ๐น๐ผ๐ป ๐จ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฎ | ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฏ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐น๐-๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ผ๐บ
The original Phantom was the first vehicle manufactured by BMW, after its acquisition of Rolls. A simple but creative design feature was the integration of a Teflon-coated umbrella in the door. It was a practical design solution for well-dressed, luxury customers. But it was an immediate hit with everyone, not just chauffeurs.
Hereโs another creative lifestyle feature:
๐๐ผ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ | ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐น๐-๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐๐น๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐
The 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV offers several different โRecreation Modulesโ for the rear liftgate door. The Hosting Service packs and organizes all the glassware, utensils and whatnot of a complete minibar, for as many as 8 people. Itโs genius.
Do you have any favorite lifestyle design features in late model vehicles? I'll be car shopping next year - what do I need to know about?
To see this post with more images, please visit LinkedIn.
hashtag#cadillac, hashtag#rollsroyce, hashtag#volkswagen, hashtag#hyundai, hashtag#innovation, hashtag#lifestylebrands, hashtag#EV, hashtag#marketing, hashtag#design