Global connected car sales rose 8% year-over-year (YoY) in 2024, according to Counterpoint’s latest Global Connected Car Tracker.
Seventy-five percent of all passenger cars sold in 2024 featured embedded cellular connectivity, up from 71% in 2023, illustrating the accelerating adoption of in-car connectivity worldwide, notes the research group.
“The growing penetration of connectivity features in mass-market cars has been a key driver of this expansion,” said Counterpoint Associate Director Greg Basich. “Automakers are integrating advanced telematics, real-time navigation, and connected in-car entertainment features to enhance the driving experience and improve safety. Embedded cellular connectivity is increasingly becoming a standard rather than an add-on.”
Toyota Group dominated global connected car market sales in 2024, followed by Volkswagen Group and Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. However, China-based BYD Group emerged as the fastest-growing player, with a 34% YoY increase in connected car sales.
Telematics Control Units (TCUs), providing access to 4G networks, remain the primary type of connectivity device in connected cars. Around 94% of connected cars sold in 2024 were 4G connected.
However, 5G penetration is increasing gradually, enhancing advanced vehicle connectivity, according to Counterpoint. The integration of 5G in luxury and premium models is gaining momentum, and it will slowly trickle down to mid-level cars in the next two years.
Counterpoint says it’s expected that more than half of the cars sold will have embedded 5G connectivity by 2028. 5G connectivity will enable enhanced vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, faster data transmission, and improved autonomous driving capabilities.
