Consumers prefer data-driven mobility

Indian consumers are increasingly open to sharing their personal data with manufacturers or third parties in exchange for features like anti-theft tracking, indicating growing confidence in data-centric mobility solutions, according to a global market study by Deloitte.

The 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, which surveyed 1,000 Indian participants, revealed that "88% of the Indian consumers were willing to share personal information with manufacturers or third parties for features such as anti-theft tracking."

Indian consumers are distinct

This figure far exceeds the 60% recorded in the United States, highlighting a more pronounced trust in India toward digital and intelligent mobility solutions, the report noted.

Alongside this trend, Indian respondents showed a strong belief in the potential of emerging technologies. According to the study, "82% of the people surveyed" regarded artificial intelligence (AI) technology as beneficial. The research also found that consumers in India give considerable weight to seamless connectivity between vehicles and smartphones.

When it comes to choosing their next vehicle, "62% of consumers surveyed rank product quality, including safety, as their top priority," according to the findings.

The study further explored how financial pressures are influencing consumer decisions. It noted a growing interest in traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles among some buyers, largely driven by cost concerns and lingering doubts surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). Despite this, Deloitte found that consumer interest in hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) remains strong.

Highlighting expectations from the evolving EV ecosystem, "36% of consumers in the survey prioritised fast charging," signalling a demand for more robust charging infrastructure.

The survey was conducted between October and December 2024, covering 1,000 respondents across India.

"The EV movement is gaining undeniable momentum, driven by consumer interest in sustainability and long-term cost benefits. Yet, barriers such as charging infrastructure, upfront costs and battery longevity continue to influence consumers," said Rajat Mahajan, Deloitte India Partner and Automotive Sector Leader.

The study also found that Indian buyers weigh vehicle performance and in-car features heavily when choosing a brand. Unlike countries such as Germany and Japan, where pricing plays a dominant role, Indian consumers are more focused on quality and driving experience.

Furthermore, "72% of the people surveyed were willing to switch vehicle brands – second only to China (76%) and significantly higher than in the US (54%)." A shift in ownership models is also becoming apparent, with "70% of consumers (part of the survey), aged between 18–34, open to replacing car ownership with MaaS solutions." This trend reflects evolving mobility preferences driven by affordability and the convenience of urban living.