Driving the Future: Data Science Applications in the Automotive Industry

If you belong to the automotive industry and are hustling to bring improvements to your business, then we’ve got some news for you. 

The news is that with lots of research, A/B testing, and learning, we’ve come to the conclusion that data science applications are insanely beneficial for the automotive industry.. 

And in this article, we’re going to uncover all the whys and whats related to how data science has benefited the automotive industry. So, let’s dive right in. 

Importance of Data-Driven Decision-Making in the Automotive Industry.

Data-driven decision-making can transform the way you run your automotive business, making it more recognizable and profitable. 

By collecting data from new and existing customers, you can learn more about their demands, requirements, and issues to bring improvements and innovations. 

In short, data-backed decisions for automotive (or any industry for that matter) enables businesses to improve product development, increase workflow efficiency, enhance customer experience, and offer a competitive advantage. 

Too many reasons to invest in data science, no?

You’ll be surprised to learn how beneficial data science has been in improving subscription models and rentals. Let’s discuss this one by one: 

How Data Science Benefits Subscriptions and Rentals?

Any product or application becomes worth investing in even more when you learn about the success rate of using it. Having said that, using data science applications for subscription models and rentals has been a total hit. 

Subscription Model: What Is It and What Are Its Advantages?

A subscription model refers to a business model where companies offer customers the ability to drive their vehicles in return for a fee. This fee can be paid monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, or however the company decides the arrangement. 

Renowned examples of subscription models for cars are Kyte, Hertz My Car, and Sixt+

Subscription-based car services have offered many benefits to both consumers and businesses. Let’s discuss them one by one; 

  • They’re more flexible than leases and loans. 
  • Offer a range of vehicles on-demand for a fixed monthly fee. 
  • People can enjoy the experience with minimal commitment.
  • They generate massive and predictable revenue. 

Using Data Science for Subscription Models

We know that subscription models have done a great job of offering ease and convenience through subscription-based vehicles. What most people or businesses, for that matter, don’t realize is that service can be improved and personalized even more with the help of data science. 

As a whole, data science have enabled automotive businesses to collect customer data and understand their preferences, providing them with the necessary information to work on customers’ needs and demands. 

In addition to this, data science also help automakers to provide software updates that update features even after purchase. 

Rental Services: What Are They and What Are Their Advantages?

Rental services are simply companies that rent out cars or other vehicles for a certain period of time. Usually monthly, weekly, or yearly basis. 

Some of the most renowned rental services across the globe are National Car Rental, Alamo Rent a Car, and Thrifty

Rental services are a sigh of relief for many people as they offer advantages like: 

  • Vehicles that are rented for a long-term do not require a down payment. 
  • Renting a car saves time and is more flexible than public transport. 
  • People have a wide range of options to choose from 
  • It’s also a good business model: providing monthly income to many people. 

How Have Data Science Benefited the Car Rental Services?

Just like any other business, data science has a positive impact the rental services too. 

Car rental services can use AI-based models to predict results through the data collected from clients and customers. This can further help them predict their pricing and optimize their inventory. 

In addition to this, car rental analytics enables businesses to understand rates and prices and make better decisions. 

Plus, car (or vehicle) rental APIs can help integrate rental functionality into travel services, making it easier for people to book cars and for businesses to manage their inventory. 

One of our personal favorite reasons is that online rental software can help companies to answer customer questions quickly and easily. This helps them manage their reservations and make changes as needed, leading to increased customer service and satisfaction. 

Needless to say, whatever helps a business come closer to its customers is a hit. 

It’s actually hard to understand and believe in the advantages that data science has brought to the automotive industry unless you have seen real-life examples, no? Well, in that case, you must learn that Drivemate and Turo have made remarkable contributions with the help of data science. 

 

Drivemate (a secure software that offers car sharing service by allowing people to borrow a car from the neighborhood) and Turo (a peer-to-peer car rental service) have made profound improvements by enabling the respective businesses to: 

  • Make better and safer vehicles that’ll be preferred by their customers. 
  • Offering more mobility solutions for different types of vehicles. 
  • Turo, specifically hired a personal data scientist to figure out best metrics and design. In order to provide an enhanced experience to customers. 
  • Used data science to optimize budget allocation and market effectiveness. 
  • The best advantage is that data science have helped these companies improve their pricing strategy leading to more revenue. 

Since we’re discussing use cases, one of the best applications or solutions offered by data science in the automotive industry is the introduction of dynamic pricing. 

Let’s dig deep into what it is and why you must opt for it. 

Dynamic Pricing in the Automotive Industry

What if we tell you that now you can make real-time tweaks and alterations to the pricing of your automotive industry and bag more revenue according to the market situation? 

Sounds like a dream come true? Well, it has, actually. 

Thanks to data science and its applications, all that we once only wished for is actually applicable now. To understand how this works, let’s discuss what dynamic pricing is and what its advantages are. 

Dynamic pricing is a strategy where a company or business adjusts the prices of a product or service based on its demand in the market or factors like the availability of resources. 

Benefits of Implementing Dynamic Pricing in the Automotive Industry

As a business, you’re bound to make decisions based on the advantages it brings. And using dynamic pricing for your automotive business can: 

  • Boost gross profit whilst at the car dealership. 
  • Enables you to adjust prices according to the new or market’s top-performing dealers. 
  • Drives companies towards it because of its profit-making capabilities. 
  • Increases customer satisfaction by offering lower prices in the off-peak hours or days. 
  • Data science use AI bots to set an instant price for a web customer. 
  • Enables a company to stand out among its competitors. 

If you’re still skeptical about the advantages of dynamic pricing then you must know that in a research conducted in 2021, Statista revealed that 17% of e-commerce companies have opted for dynamic pricing. 

Real-Life Examples of Companies Using Dynamic Pricing: 

Like we said earlier, it’s hard to believe in the advantages unless one sees them for himself/herself. Having said that market’s finest automotive companies like: 

Uber uses a dynamic pricing algorithm that adjust the prices of the rides according to factors like time, distance, route size, etc. And Lyft uses dynamic pricing, to adjust the prices based on the demand for rides and factors considered by Uber. 

In addition to the above-mentioned factors, companies also consider triggers like real-time market conditions, political situations, or service availability. 

How Data Science Influences Finances in the Automotive Industry

Data science has transformed the way industries and businesses work, and so is the case for the automotive industry. And like other factors, data science have drastically influenced the financial situation

For example, machine learning and artificial intelligence are being used in the automotive industry loans, automakers are using data science for product developments and automotive lifecycles, and lastly, predictive analysis is used for OEMs and dealerships. 

How Data Science Influence Data-Driven Credit Score

If you’re wondering what credit score is and how data science have played a role in changing it, then stick around because we’re about to discuss it all. 

Credit score refers to the process of evaluating the creditworthiness of an individual based on their credit history, financial behavior, etc. 

The reason why data-driven credit scoring has caught the attention of many businesses is that: 

  • Many lenders are now exploring an alternate form of data source, such as psychometrics or digital footprints in replacement of traditional credit scores. 
  • Enables companies and banks to make more sophisticated decisions. 
  • Helps a lender evaluate the risk of lending to a borrower. 

Real-Life Examples of Companies Using Data Science

Testimonials and real-life examples influence decision-making processes like insane. We know that for a fact. And when these examples come from the world's best known automotive companies like BMW and Mercedes, the impact has to be doubled. 

Speaking of which, 

BMW 

It is using data science applications to improvise its automobile production and boost its business. To specify, it uses virtualization and artificial intelligence to network all aspects of production. 

It’s also using data analytics and machine learning to ensure rapid networking, knowledge, and technology. Plus, it’s also leveraging machine learning to predict how traffic regulations can reduce both traffic and gas emissions.

One the other hand . . . 

Mercedes-Benz

It is relying more on data science with every passing day by leveraging it for autonomous driving, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and more. Moreover, it uses sensors that collect data from race cars, enabling them to learn more about the most efficient race cars and conditions. 

Last but not least, data science enable Mercedes to collect real-time data from traffic. 

To sum up, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz use data science and AI to boost their automobile production, infotainment systems, and overall business. They are using machine learning models, data analytics, and sensors to collect and analyze data to improve efficiency, sustainability, and user experience.

Tentative Use Cases of Data Science for the Automotive Industry

It’s a given that data science has contributed a great deal to the automotive industry. So if you’re contemplating about the possible use cases of it then read below; 

  • Can be used to stimulate various aspects of your vehicles. 
  • Predict when components of a vehicle are likely to fail. 
  • Used to analyze data from sensors and other sources. 
  • Optimize supply chains to ensure functional parts and materials are available. 
  • Analyzes customer reviews or feedback. 

Wrapping Up 

Got an overview of why data science for the automotive industry is totally worth investing for? 

Then opt for your business and see for yourself how it can help in product development and optimization of processes. 

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