Code: MTA3847 | Publication Date: Jun 2025 |
The automotive advertising market continues to expand, with global expenditure expected to continue to surge, growing at a robust growth rate. The biggest driver of this growth is the automotive industry over-reliance on digital platforms to leverage customer influence, brand visibility, and improved vehicle sales.
The focus by automakers and dealerships on programmatic, social media, influencers, and video ad buys to reach tech-savvy consumers has grown. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and connected cars has raised industry competition and forced brands to reinvent their approach to advertising.
Data analytics, and tools for determining customer behavior and tracking advertising have leveraged better built ad-targeting and ad personalization. This should provide for greater return on investment (ROI) and connected customers.
The evolving automotive advertising landscape offers significant opportunities for automakers, digital marketers, and technology providers alike. The first-mover advantage of digital innovation, including virtual showrooms and in-app advertising within connected vehicles, enables brands to engage consumers in unique ways. There is also considerable opportunity for ad-tech partnerships, especially with companies who develop AI and machine learning products that can improve targeting accuracy, as consumer interest moves to digital channels.
Emerging markets such as India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, which are seeing increasing vehicle ownership growth and more devices, also have significant opportunity as they grow in the new digital ads market. Additionally, connected services can enhance the use of first-party data through the customer journey, which allows automakers to influence how potential customers engage from the research phase through purchase.
Overall, incorporating sustainability into advertising narratives allow brands to align with eco-conscious consumers and access new segments, while also creating new avenues and strategies for consumer loyalty.
Several transformative trends are simultaneously shaping the landscape for automotive advertising industry. For instance, digitization is the prominent trend as brands are investing in mobile-first campaigns, AR (augmented reality), and video ads among other formats that engage consumers.
Also, there is a shift from traditional TV and print, to automated and or social advertising that offers real-time ad campaign optimizations. Moreover, connected car data and AI-driven analytics are being utilized to tailor ads based on driver behavior and location, delivering hyper-personalized experiences.
In addition, OEMs and dealers are working closely with influencers and content-creators, especially on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, as they bring element of authenticity and trust. Sustainability messaging is also trending especially for EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and both will continue to address the growing consumer and governmental interest in green mobility.