Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s names are appearing in a very surprising place: the world of auto industry influencers.
Huffington Post reports that the influence marketing platform Appinions did a study examining the auto industry and presented the results at the New York Auto Show last week.
It may seem as no surprise that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) made the list because the company is known to be working on a self-driving car. However, that’s not what Appinions found to be the reason why Google is influencing the auto industry. It’s apparently because of Google Maps — something that’s simpler and far less life-changing than the self-driving car but also very effective for millions of drivers every day.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) made the list for its SIRI feature, which enables drivers to keep their eyes on the road while using their iPhone for navigation or other queries. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also made the list because of its SYNC technology, which is installed in Ford’s vehicles. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and its partners General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) and OnStar also made the top of the list.
The study also looked at the different and some of the biggest influences on auto industry; with all these tech companies placing so highly, it’s no surprise that the study found technology to be the biggest influence, with 35 percent.
Performance came in at only 22 percent and was valued at 19 percent. Design had 12 percent of the influence, while safety had 8 percent and luxury had 4 percent.
Appinions also found that the two biggest topics discussed overall in the auto industry were tech-related topics: fuel economy and connected cars.
In addition, the more outspoken auto executives were the ones who got high marks for influence. General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) are noticeably more outspoken than executives of other companies. So although GM itself is not as influential of a brand as Tesla, Audi and Toyota, GM’s executives ranked as more influential than the CEOs of the other companies.
