Such a moment happened in Madrid, when someone from the auto industry noted to a small group of us that what is really spooking them is the fact that young people are beginning to think differently about car ownership. Unlike earlier generations, for whom owning a car was a signal of independence, of having arrived, young people these days are showing much less inclination to possess their own car – and, empowered by mobile phones, apps, social networks and start-ups like Streetcar, Zipcar, WhipCar and City Car Club, they are increasingly opting for car sharing.
—Is Generation Y signalling the end of our love affair with the motor car?