What are the two aspects of automotive culture?
2 Answers
Automotive culture encompasses the industrial chain related to the automobile market and its practitioners. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. Attribute sublimation: To transform 'industry' into 'culture,' the attributes of automobiles must be elevated. The primary purpose of manufacturing automobiles is to carry passengers and goods, serving as a tool. However, in 'automotive culture,' cars have long surpassed this attribute and become carriers of culture. 2. A decade ago: Why did China lack automotive culture ten years ago? Apart from the absence of domestic automobile manufacturers (Hong Kong and Thailand also lack their own car manufacturers, yet they have a strong automotive culture), the main reason was that cars had not yet moved beyond their utilitarian role. Today, with China's rapid economic development, the desire for better cars has grown, and the younger generation, influenced by overseas automotive culture through education abroad, is gradually shaping China's own automotive culture.
In my decades-long journey through the automotive world, car culture has typically been divided into two major aspects. The first is technology-related culture, such as manufacturing processes, engine performance, and tuning skills; this includes activities like collecting vintage cars or participating in rally races, where people are obsessed with the roar of V8 engines and the art of fine-tuning. The second is social culture, which involves how cars integrate into daily life, from family road trips to the shared economy of urban congestion. I've witnessed countless stories, like people sharing travel memories at classic car shows or how cinematic automotive heroes shape the dreams of younger generations. Overall, technical culture drives innovation, while social culture strengthens a sense of connection, together fostering community vibrancy and enabling enthusiasts to exchange experiences through car shows or online forums.
