As the threat of virus transmission plagues public transport, demands for car ownership are on the rise. But cars offer more than just a COVID-19-secure way to get around: they're being reconceptualized as a space for relaxation and refuge away from the housebound lifestyles of 2020.

Despite speculation about a decline in private car ownership across Germany, the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to an interest in novel forms of in-car entertainment. As people search for safe spaces to socialise and have fun, what's driving them towards in-car venues?

With COVID-19 creating concerns around using public transport, people are taking comfort in the safety offered by their cars. Offering a reliable way not just to travel, but also to socialize, relax, explore, and take part in fun activities, the car’s role in everyday life is changing.

Americans are keeping their cars for longer and the average length of their use has reached 12 years. As people rely on their cars to travel and with the pandemic leading to a financial crunch, brands have the opportunity to add features to older car models to help prolong their longevity and value.