EV Magazine November 2024 | Page 127

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BUT WHAT COMES NEXT ? The Generation that follows Gen Alpha might never get behind the wheel . “ With the era of autonomous vehicles just around the corner , Gen Alpha may very well be the last to learn the art of parallel parking or master the fine balance of clutch control ,” John muses . As driving becomes increasingly automated , future generations could become permanent passengers . Driving might soon become a nostalgic skill , like reading a map or using a rotary phone . Will Gen Alpha be the last to grip a steering wheel ? Only time and technology will tell .
Eran Ofir , CEO at Imagry , echoes the sentiment that the Generation that follows Gen Alpha will be entering autonomous mobility , informing : “ The main story of autonomous vehicles is that it is finally happening . We ’ ve been talking about autonomous driving for a decade , creating many new businesses and waves of hype , to no avail . Now , we are reaching the tipping point where things are materialising .”

US $ 295bn VWFS total assets 2023

REFLECTING ON THE PAST , DRIVING INTO THE FUTURE Reflecting on Volkswagen ’ s storied past , Heinrich Nordhoff , who took the helm of Volkswagen in 1948 , played a crucial role in rebuilding the company after World War II . He once remarked on the Volkswagen Beetle ’ s popularity : “ The Beetle is not just a car ; it is a phenomenon that embodies freedom and the joy of driving . Its simplicity and reliability were its greatest strengths .”
So from Nordhoff ’ s Beetle to today ’ s electric vehicles and tomorrow ’ s autonomous cars , Volkswagen ’ s journey mirrors the evolution of generations – each defined by their unique experiences , yet all united in the timeless human desire for mobility , freedom and progress .
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