finance
monthly
Personal Finance. Money. Investing.
Contribute
Newsletter
Corporate

Results from the second quarter of a year-long research study reveal how investors view the performance of a range of different players in the autonomous vehicle (AV) market, providing for each firm, the percentage of investors who judge that company as ranking in the top five for having the most investible Autonomous Vehicle technology.

Manufacturers

In the survey, conducted by international law firm Gowling WLG and economic research agency Explain the Market, Tesla (26%) topped the charts when it comes to investor confidence in AV manufacturers - closely followed by BMW (22%).

IT giants

For the world's biggest IT companies, investors ranked Google (35%) as the business with the highest potential for success in the AVmarket. This is markedly higher than other giant brands which investors feel are yet to make an impact - notably Baidu (2%), Uber (8%) and Apple (11%).

Tech brands

The survey also reveals Bosch (54%), Tata Elixsi (36%) and ParkWhiz (29%) as the most investible tech brands in the AV tech sector, according to UK investors.

Guy Shone, CEO Explain the Market said "When it comes to driverless tech UK investors are showing a deeper level of interest and a stronger commitment than ever before"

Stuart Young, partner and head of Automotive at Gowling WLG said: "When it comes to the AV sector - research shows UK investors are backing innovation from a wide range of sources. UK Investors clearly have confidence in both the old and the new, the big and the small. They are tracking the best ideas and conditions whether they come from start-ups or corporate giants."

Since the survey's Q1 results, there have been some subtle shifts in investor mood regarding the barriers towards widespread AV introduction. Whilst concerns about unclear rules and regulations have slightly diminished, doubts about a lack of collaboration between industry and government appear to be increasing.

The progress of smart cities projects is also an increasingly important factor to investors when it comes to making a decision to invest in the AV market.

As our economy enters a new period of instability, the importance of monitoring investor attitudes increases. This is the second wave of a year-long study of over 1,000 investors. The ongoing tracker study will track the confidence, attitudes and opinions of UK investors to the AV sector and reveal what investors really want as the sector develops. The study will also probe the real barriers and factors that impact confidence.

(Source: Gowling WLG)

Uber has recently received a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to test its robot cars in the state and Consumer Watchdog warned that the cars should not carry passengers while still being tested.

"When Uber illegally deployed its robot cars in San Francisco last year, the vehicles were observed driving through red lights," said John M. Simpson Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project Director. "Uber's technology simply isn't safe enough to put passengers at risk."

Under California law companies testing self-driving cars with a permit in the state must file reports of any crashes and annual "disengagement reports" describing when the robot technology failed and a human operator had to intervene.  Both reports are posted on the DMV's website.

"Now that Uber has permits to test, the company's activities must be closely monitored by police," Simpson said. "What is clear is that Uber must not use passengers as human guinea pigs as part of a publicity stunt."

Consumer Watchdog asked people in San Francisco to watch out for traffic violations and safety threats by Uber's test vehicles. "If you see something, say something," Simpson said.  Send reports to: UberSF@consumerwatchdog.org.

(Source: Consumer Watchdog)

About Finance Monthly

Universal Media logo
Finance Monthly is a comprehensive website tailored for individuals seeking insights into the world of consumer finance and money management. It offers news, commentary, and in-depth analysis on topics crucial to personal financial management and decision-making. Whether you're interested in budgeting, investing, or understanding market trends, Finance Monthly provides valuable information to help you navigate the financial aspects of everyday life.
© 2024 Finance Monthly - All Rights Reserved.
News Illustration

Get our free monthly FM email

Subscribe to Finance Monthly and Get the Latest Finance News, Opinion and Insight Direct to you every month.
chevron-right-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram