Connected features are becoming a driving force for new vehicle buyers

New Delhi: Digital and connected features are increasingly becoming a social currency among new car buyers, who demand continuous connectivity while traveling and enhanced safety features on the wheels of their choice.Connected cars, which have built-in chips that enable internet access allowing drivers to send, store and receive information collected through sensors, now account for 27.4% of all new vehicles sold (January-October 2025), double from about 14.47% five years ago in CY21, data available from automotive consultancy JATO Dynamics shows.

The collected data is sent to devices inside and outside the car and enables a wide range of features, such as geofencing (which alerts the owner if a vehicle is taken outside the set perimeter), theft and towing alerts, remote car immobilization, sudden braking and vehicle speed monitoring systems that help protect against reckless driving. Some vehicles are even equipped with technology that scans drivers’ retinal movements to warn of accidents caused by distraction.

Considering the high demand, automakers have started offering these features not only in premium SUVs, but even in compact models like the Hyundai Venue and hatchbacks like the Tata Altroz ​​and MG Comet.Ravi Bhatia, president of Jato Dynamics, says demographic, technological and psychological factors are driving this growth in connected services. “Young and Gen Z buyers are digital natives and expect seamless connectivity and are accustomed to convenience being their lifestyle. Technology has made it possible to integrate software features into a car. While we are still several years away from a fully software-driven car, digital and connected features are becoming status and social currency,” said Bhatia.

In addition, the introduction of high-speed highways has made car buyers attach more importance to safety. These developments are used by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). Integrated e-SIMs enable car status monitoring and OTA updates to keep connected services up to date. Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, agreed that Indian consumers are increasingly prioritizing technology-led features such as large touchscreens, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), 360 cameras, connected systems, panoramic sunroofs and ventilated seats. “This shift is driven by increasing urbanization, global exposure and a growing focus on convenience, security and personalization,” said Raina.

MG Motor India, the pioneer that introduced connected technologies in its vehicles six years ago, said the market for these vehicles has grown 50% year-on-year. Raina said that today, most JSW MG Motor India vehicles sold monthly are inherently connected – a stark contrast from five years ago, when connectivity was limited to basic infotainment.

“Currently, 60-65% of our portfolio variants offer connected and ADAS features, representing more than 90% of our total sales,” he said, adding: “Looking ahead, we expect continued demand for hyper-personalized, AI-driven features and sustainable innovations as more than 80-85% of car buyers are likely to prefer connected and ADAS-equipped vehicles.”