Kinza Noor
4 min readJun 19, 2024

Market Trends: Demand and Supply Dynamics for Non-Electric Cars

Introduction

The car manufacturing sector is currently going through what can be regarded as a transition, with very notable developments such as electric cars and moving towards more environmentally friendly vehicles. H2 based on Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) still dominates the global market share, although there are non-electricity-operated cars as well. Knowledge of the specific demand and supply characteristics of non-electric cars is essential for the relevant decision-makers, including manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers. This paper aims to describe the nature and driving forces affecting the market and discuss the relationship between demand and supply forces, technology, consumption patterns, and their effects, regulations, and future trends.

Demand Dynamics

Consumer Preferences and Behavior

It will be important to note that, unlike battery-operated cars, consumer choices influence the demand for non-electric cars. Several factors influence these preferences: Several factors influence these preferences:

Affordability:

Self-completing cars are, in most cases, cheaper than EVs as a class of products and are, therefore, more suitable for many consumers. The price difference remains the main issue because, in emerging economies, consumers will always target affordable brands.

Fuel Availability:

Because of enhanced markets developed for gasoline and diesel, non-electric cars are still prevalent in the market. Further, in most markets, but particularly in rural and developing areas, the refueling infrastructure for ICE automobiles is much more highly developed than charging points for EVs.

Brand Loyalty and Familiarity:

The nature of the decision to purchase a particular car model is informed by brand association, brand heritage, and previous exposure to non-electric car manufacturers. The saturated automotive industry has well-known automotive brands, traditionally relying on the production of efficient internal combustion engine vehicles with high consumer confidence.

Economic Factors

There are indications that economic characteristics strongly determine the need for non-electric cars. Key economic factors include:

Fuel Prices: Succinctly, the fickleness of fuel prices tends to either activate or inhibit the market for non-electrified automobiles, from the fuel consumption point of view, and more specifically, from the costs that have to be incurred to power the ICE vehicle, lower fuel prices can be credited with raising the appeal of ICE vehicles.

Income Levels:

Luxury non-electric cars and SUVs might be in the same brackets as minivans and may have consumers boosting their demand once regions increase their income levels.

Supply Dynamics

Manufacturing Capabilities and Innovation


The availability of non-electric cars depends on the capacity of industry players and their strategies in new product development. Key aspects include:

Technological Advancements:

The ability to coordinate technological change in ICE technology, such as fuel economy, emissions, and powertrain, ensures non-electrical cars remain relevant. To offer increased appeal to ICE models, manufacturers focus on research and development.

Regulatory Environment

Supply-side factors also play an important role in non-electric cars, where regulations and policies are some of the most important. Key regulatory factors include:

Incentives and Subsidies:

Using financial incentives and subsidies for EVs will force a market of comparison and can make any non-electric cars unappealing. On the other hand, grant funding for superior ICE technologies or non-electrified power options can serve as meaningful incentives for non-electric vehicles.

Market Segmentations and Regionality

The demand and supply dynamics for non-electric cars vary significantly across different market segments and regions: The demand and supply dynamics for non-electric cars vary significantly across different market segments and regions:

Market Segmentation

Passenger Cars: Small cars such as sedans, hatches, and compacts still remain favorites owing to the reasonable prices and ease of usage. As technologies improve fuel efficiency and emissions, they are favorable to various customers in the market.

SUVs and Crossovers:

The two major vehicle types that recorded high demand are the SUV and crossover segments, which have proved popular due to the size and flexibility they provide. Scholars have pointed out that typically, these models embody additional features and enhanced fuel economy and target both concentrated urban and widespread rural populace.

Luxury and Performance Cars: Luxury non-electric cars such as sedans and sports automobiles remain rare, but they are loyal vehicles in the market. It was observed that most of these vehicles apply advanced ICE technology and boast very dynamic performances.


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