Changing direction

It's been a year that should dispel doubts the car industry is going through a technological revolution. The convergence of traditional motor manufacturing and new digital technologies has been shifting slowly through the gears for a couple of years. But in 2016, things hit top speed. A string of deals, strategic announcements and investments has even left some experts wondering if a bubble is growing. "Manufacturers finally really understood the need for change," says Martin Benecke, Frankfurt-based analyst at IHS Automotive. "They see the competitive threat from Google and Apple.