A new report from S&P Global Mobility reveals that while Indian car owners are among the most active users of free trial connected car services globally, automakers are struggling to convert that engagement into paid subscriptions. The report highlights India as a high-engagement, low-conversion market, showing both potential and challenges for automakers and service providers.
According to the findings, 46% of Indian respondents use connected car services through free trials, placing the country second only to Mainland China at 53%. Only 33% of Indian users continue with paid subscriptions, trailing slightly behind the United States at 35%, but ahead of France (19%) and Japan (18%).
The global study, which spanned nine countries, underscores a key contrast: Indian consumers show strong interest in experimenting with connected features, but converting them into paying users remains a critical hurdle. In India, only 18% of respondents reported not using connected car services at all, compared to 38% in the United States, 54% in France, and 45% in the United Kingdom, indicating that Indian car owners are more actively engaged with these technologies.
Notably, just 3% of Indian respondents claimed they were unaware of connected car services, the lowest figure among all surveyed nations. This suggests a growing awareness and digital literacy among Indian consumers, further reinforcing the market’s long-term potential.
Automakers are now focusing on designing more value-driven and affordable subscription models to convert trial users into paying customers. With India’s strong engagement levels and increasing awareness, the country presents a promising growth opportunity for connected car services, provided the offerings align with consumer expectations on value and affordability.
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