Time to sell off your baby?

Automotive News reported a story about how some consumers are selling of their cars, and taking a taxi, hopping in a ride share, or just plain walking everywhere. Automakers have taken notice, and are adjusting accordingly.

Before, auto makers would market that a vehicle was a symbol of independence, a rite of passage. Freedom of the open road, a place where it’s just man and machine. With the newer trends such as ride sharing and new companies like Uber, Lyft, and Zipcar, auto makers have changed their marketing. They want to make sure to be there to capitalize on the new trend too. What they are doing is making sure they are first to call for people who work for Uber, Lyft or Zipcar. They might offer a discount, or provide the car themselves.

While we see how somebody could get away without their own car in major metropolises like New York City or Los Angeles, we don’t ever foresee car ownership going away forever. For most of us, we have more than one vehicle and most likely some sort of classic in the garage. A car means more to us than just a vessel for getting from point A to point B. It’s a reflection on our hard work, putting hours into the car to make it our own.

Besides the personal aspect of it, most of us don’t live in a major metropolis where everything is really close. Some of us might commute 100 or more miles per day for work. Or the nearest grocery store is 10 miles away. What if you need to pick up lumber at the hardware store? A taxi wouldn’t be able to do that. While getting a ride or riding your bike everywhere is great for some people, the majority of people out there still need and want their rides.

Tell us your thoughts below!