Bye Bye Car
America’s love affair with cars is waning. The younger generation is no longer associated with traditional cars. The auto industry is starting to recognize the trend, and its executives are desperate to find unconventional solutions to stay profitable. Bye Bye Car travels across the US and the Netherlands to examine the reasons for this decline in interest and the possibilities for reshaping transportation.
Cars no longer offer young people the status or confidence they once had. To a large extent, other technologies such as smartphones have taken over this role. The need to own a car has been replaced by public transportation and ride-sharing services like Uber. Conscientious consumers might see this as a way to limit their environmental footprint, but most simply see it as a more economical and practical option that fits their lifestyle better. No more traffic jams, no unnecessary expenses, and no more parking worries.
How do automakers want to compete? Your first steps start appearing on the market. The center of automotive research is moving from Detroit, the automotive capital, to Silicon Valley. Cars are going digital as many other established products have struggled to remain relevant over time. Today, new technologies allow your car to communicate with your phone and be remotely upgraded over a Wi-Fi connection. At the same time, electric cars are getting cleaner and more efficient, and apps are getting smarter and offering more options.
The film also explores the most advanced form of modern transportation: the self-driving car. Thanks to the efforts of companies like Google, we are entering the era of self-driving cars. Researchers claim the technology could offer unprecedented convenience and security, but others worry about potential downsides. Can artificial intelligence really serve as a substitute for basic human instincts?
Bye Bye Car illustrates the age-old struggle between the inevitability of change and those who resist it. Either way, mobility is developing, and society as a whole either adapts or falls behind.
Directed by: Martijn Kieft
