The Cetelem Observatory has published the Europe Automotive Study 2025, which analyses the relationship between young people and mobility and the automobile in 10 European countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Portugal), as well as in China, the United States, Japan and Turkey.

Contrary to what one might initially think, young people are not disconnected from the car, but quite the opposite. As soon as they are legally allowed to do so, they are eager to get behind the wheel. Thus, a driving licence becomes an early necessity. In Spain, 38% of drivers obtained their driving licence at the age of 18, two points higher than the European average. Another 27% obtained it between the ages of 19 and 20, the same percentage as the European average; and 23% between the ages of 21 and 25, compared to 20% in Europe. Only 12% say they obtained their driving licence at the age of over 25.

Buying the first car

Half of young Europeans under 20 years of age living in cities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants already own a vehicle.

However, financial constraints for young people when it comes to buying a vehicle remain strong. 6 out of 10 Europeans aged between 18 and 29 consider the price of a car to be too expensive. For this reason, 59% of Europeans under 30 buy their first used car, compared to 41% who buy a new one. In the case of Spain, it stands out above the European average in buying a new car as a first vehicle, with 56% of the mentions.

The average price in Europe for buying a first car is €13,985. Spain is above the average with an average cost of €15,625.

As for motorisation, petrol cars are the preferred choice for young Europeans, followed by electric and diesel cars.

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The image of the car improves

According to the study, 7 out of 10 young Europeans say they enjoy driving. In addition, 1 in 2 people under 30 believe that their image of cars has improved over the last five years. Only 14% say it has deteriorated. It also highlights that this improvement in the image of cars is greater in cities than in rural areas, due to the growing importance of electric and hybrid cars in urban environments.

Young people are committed to mobility

For 6 out of 10 European drivers under 30, living their whole life without a car is unimaginable. French and Americans are the most reluctant to the idea of ​​living without a car, while Turks, Poles and Chinese are more receptive.

However, the car is not everything, young people are considering different ways of getting around. Thus, we see that the use of the bicycle as a means of transport has gained ground for 7 out of 10 young people. The Netherlands and Poland are the countries that are most receptive to travelling by bicycle, while Portugal, the United States and the United Kingdom are the most reluctant.

Among the alternative means of transport used by young people, car sharing comes in second place, with 50% of young people stating that they use it.

Among young people who have at least one vehicle in their home, 57% say they also travel on foot on a daily basis, followed by 52% who use public transport.

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In addition, 8 out of 10 young people also say that a car is essential for their daily life.

Safety, freedom and practicality are the three qualities of the car that young people most value.

Purchasing criteria

Rationality prevails when it comes to purchasing criteria. 45% of drivers under 30 consider price as the main factor when buying a car. However, this criterion is less important for them compared to older drivers, with a difference of almost 10 points. Both generations point to safety as the second most important purchasing criterion.

In addition, 9 out of 10 young drivers consider the information provided by brands important before making a decision.

The environmental image of the car

Almost half of young people consider cars to be the main cause of climate change. Cars are also cited as the main source of pollution in cities, especially among young people, with 64% of mentions.

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It is also worth noting that 52% of drivers under 30 consider that the environmental measures imposed on cars and their use are sufficient, compared to 24% who consider them insufficient. 13%, on the other hand, believe that they are excessive.

The electric car, synonymous with progress

84% of young people say that technological advances will improve the environmental impact of cars. This is a point of view shared by all generations. In addition, 1 in 2 young people see electric cars as a more environmentally friendly means of transport, compared to 1 in 4 of those over 50 years of age.

In this sense, young people are enthusiastic about the future of the electric car, with 47% believing that it will be more relevant in the coming years. This contrasts with the opinion of those over 50, who are more cautious about this, with only 30% believing that it will be more relevant. 60% of young people also believe that the electric car will replace combustion cars in the future.

Methodology

The economic and marketing analyses as well as forecasts were carried out in collaboration with the research and consulting company C-Ways.

Fieldwork for the quantitative consumer surveys was conducted by Harris Interactive from June 25 to July 9, 2024 in 14 countries: Belgium, China, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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A total of 16,000 online surveys (CAWI method, 3,000 in France and 1,000 in each of the other countries) were conducted with the general population aged between 18 and 65, with nationally representative samples in each country. The representativeness of the sample is guaranteed by the quota method (sex, age).

The MG Car Club has launched ‘MG Car Club Insurance’ – a new insurance scheme administered by Peter James Insurance designed specifically for members by MG enthusiasts. The scheme will offer benefits that create a compelling reason to join the MG Car Club and, through its focus on insuring young drivers, aims to break down the barriers to young people owning MGs and participating in club activities.

MG Car Club is committed to helping young people become owners of an MG via its active Young Members branch. Now, through the scheme provided by Peter James Insurance – young enthusiasts who are members of the MG Car Club can access fully comprehensive insurance on their MG. This is a significant benefit over most other specialist insurers, who often set an age limit of 25 or 30 for classic car insurance.

Recognising that many young enthusiasts are keen to be involved but may not yet own an MG, Peter James Insurance have designed an option for ‘Accompanied Driver Cover’ where they can drive an MG with a parent or grandparent alongside them for a modest additional premium.

In addition to this the scheme prioritises club activities, with the aim of enabling MG Car Club members to derive more value from their club membership with peace of mind of knowing that their pride and joy is protected by a scheme designed with input from the club.

The benefits of ‘MG Car Club Insurance’ are to be unveiled at the 2024 NEC Classic Motor Show, where a champagne reception will be held for MG Car Club members at 10.30 am on Friday, 8th November, in Hall 3, Stand 150. MG enthusiasts will hear more details on the scheme’s benefits and chat informally with Dave Youngs, Partnerships Director at Peter James Insurance. The launch will also feature interviews with car owners and the Club’s President, John Day.

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MG Car Club members can now benefit from: *

• Exclusive rates for MG Car Club members
• Additional discounts based on length of membership
• Free and simple agreed value
• Cover available for classic and modern MGs
• Free salvage retention – in the event of a total loss, we will pay the full agreed value for the vehicle, and you may retain the salvage free of charge
• Free Member to member cover – drive another club member’s MG with fully comprehensive cover regardless of who they are insured with
• Multi-vehicle cover
• A range of options for young MG enthusiasts
• UK and European Breakdown Cover included
• Tools and Spare Parts Cover (up to £3000)
• Self-repair option
• Legal expenses cover
• Laid up cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Cover for ‘MGs on Track’ events

Peter James Insurance is well-known for providing specialist classic vehicle insurance and has been positioned at the heart of the historic vehicle community for many years. Dave Youngs, Partnerships Director at Peter James Insurance, said, “We’ve worked closely with the club to develop a bespoke scheme designed to fulfil members’ needs and offer a true benefit of membership through discounted premiums and unique features to help you enjoy MGs with peace of mind.” 

Lorraine Noble-Thompson, Chairman of the MG Car Club, explains, “Our objective was to create the best insurance scheme available for MGs anywhere in the market adding significant value to being a member of MG Car Club. Our new and exclusive features have not only addressed shortcomings in our previous insurance, but also provides members of the MG Car Club unique benefits they cannot get anywhere else. Now, MG Car Club members can rely on an insurance scheme built by the club itself. Whilst the scheme has been geared to primarily meet members’ insurance needs and deliver exceptional value to them, the addition of financial support generated from the initiative will allow us to invest in further activities, events and benefits for MG Car Club members.”

Director of the MG Car Club, Neil Brant added, “While the areas already outlined are essential, they are just the tip of a significant iceberg. We consulted with the MG Car Club members to add a whole raft of extra benefits and levels of cover that we knew were essential to the full enjoyment of MGs of any age or era, from pre-war cars to modern EVs. The team at Peter James Insurance have been responsive and flexible at every step to ensure the needs of the full spectrum of our members can be met.” 

The insurance world for MG Car Club members is changing for the better. To protect your MG motor car of any age, call 0121 506 6026 or visit www.peterjamesinsurance.co.uk/mgcc for more information. 

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Maserati MCXtrema: Pushing the Boundaries of Performance and Design
The Maserati MCXtrema, ‘The Beast of Modena’, is powered by a formidable 730-horsepower V6 three-litre twin-turbo Nettuno race engine. A track-only creation, it epitomises the Italian luxury brand’s racing heritage. Limited to just 62 units worldwide, it has been honed to dominate circuits with precision, power, and elegance, through a perfect blend of cutting-edge racing technology and Italian craftsmanship.

The customer, a passionate car collector and racer with his own racing team, worked closely with Maserati during the creation of his own MCXtrema. From visits to the House of Trident’s Centro Stile design headquarters in Italy, to being a passenger in a prototype car at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, his journey reflects Maserati’s commitment to offering a unique and tailored experience for its discerning customers.

Commenting on the arrival of his car, the delighted owner said, “I’m thrilled to receive the keys to my very own MCXtrema today. A lot of work has gone into defining the car to my exact configuration requirements and I couldn’t be happier. It’ll be great to get it out onto the track shortly where it belongs and seeing what it can really do in the UK!”

Crafted for the Track
The Maserati MCXtrema has been meticulously developed with an uncompromising focus on track performance. On the outside, the engineering team worked tirelessly to achieve a race honed architecture, using minimal ride height, fully flat underfloor, front splitter, rear wing and shark fin, plus sculptural rear diffuser, all for optimum aerodynamics.

Inside it features a racing seat with six-point belt and roll cage, a carbon and aluminium steering wheel with five-inch central display, buttons rotary selector and ergonomic grip. The MCXtrema’s carbon-fibre monocoque chassis ensures maximum rigidity, while maintaining a lightweight structure that results in a kerb weight of circa 1,300kg. It also features new double-wishbone suspension geometry and kinematics, as well as fully adjustable racing dampers, springs and anti-roll bars, plus cast-iron racing brake system. Fully optimised for track conditions, the MCXtrema benefits from incredibly agile and precise handling.

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Designed by Maserati Centro Stile and made entirely in Italy, every aspect of the MCXtrema has been painstakingly engineered to deliver exceptional performance. The car underwent extensive virtual simulations and over 200 hours of real world dynamic testing to refine its handling and performance, ensuring it excels under the most demanding conditions. Seamlessly blending beauty with function, the result is a car that is as visually striking, as it is capable on the racetrack.

This UK delivery follows the global debut of the MCXtrema at Monterey Car Week earlier this year, where it made its track appearance at Laguna Seca in the USA. Maserati’s Chief Test Driver, Andrea Bertolini, has been deeply involved in its development, pushing the car to its limits around many of the world’s most iconic circuits.

The MCXperience
For every MCXtrema owner, Maserati offers a bespoke ownership experience through its exclusive MCXperience program. This initiative allows them to fully immerse themselves in Maserati’s racing heritage, with access to curated track events and the expertise of the Maserati Corse (racing in Italian) professional team. 

Through the MCXperience Concierge, owners can also participate in tailored driving experiences and enjoy dedicated aftersales support, ensuring that every aspect of their journey with the MCXtrema is exceptional.

In addition to these experiences, each MCXtrema comes with a specially designed racing kit, developed by Maserati in collaboration with Sparco, a leader in motorsport apparel and equipment. The kit, created exclusively for the discerning owners of each car, enhances the driving experience by offering the highest level of comfort and performance on the track, allowing drivers to fully embrace the car’s racing calling.

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