We surveyed more than 31,000 consumers in 30 countries, including 999 Belgians, from October through December 2024 to explore opinions regarding a variety of critical issues impacting the automotive sector, including consumer interest in electric vehicles, brand perceptions, connected technology adoption, and Mobility-as-a-Service.  
 

Electric vehicles face an uphill climb  
 

The lack of all-battery vehicles (BEVs) in Belgian private car parks is primarily due to the price, even if saving on fuel is appealing. The range and charging time also raise concerns but given that most do not go for a long ride and are willing to wait for the vehicle to charge. Remarkably, environmental concerns are fading, and recent low-emission zones and fiscal incentive changes may hinder EV adoption by fostering consumer indecision.  

Buyers are delaying car purchases  

The private car market is still in recovery mode. Less than 20% of Belgian consumers plan to buy their next vehicle within the year, while half will wait 1 to 5 years. The purchase decision is based on price and product quality, rather than brand loyalty. Cash and loans remain the preferred method of financing. 

AI is gaining ground despite data collection & management concerns  

Half of Belgians still believe that their next vehicle should be able to connect with their smartphone, yet car manufacturers are attempting to introduce their own connected service ecosystems. There is a willingness to pay for extra connected services related to safety features. The value of adding AI to the vehicle systems is gaining recognition, although concerns regarding data management and privacy persist. 

Mobility Solutions on top of the car remains the favorite option  

Car ownership remains important, yet younger consumers and urban dwellers tend to favour more flexibility. Combining a vehicle with mobility alternatives may become more popular if the cost of private vehicle usage increase (by tax, road user charging,…) and MaaS solutions are optimized. 

For a comprehensive view of the global findings, please visit
our global webpage