Windsor·NAIAS 2018

Auto CEOs speak one-on-one with 15-year-old Tecumseh car buff

Kegun Morkin spoke with executives from several major automakers during the press preview of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. His mission was to find out what these companies are doing to target people like him and how important the younger demographic is each automaker.

'We spend a lot of time with young people understanding what their needs are,' said Ford Canada CEO.

CBC's teen correspondent Kegun Morkin interviews Ford Canada CEO Mark Buzzell. (CBC)

Top car company CEOs switched gears this week to speak to CBC's 15-year-old correspondent and car buff Kegun Morkin.

Morkin spoke with executives from several major automakers during the press preview of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

His mission — to find out what these companies are doing to target young people like him, and how important the younger demographic is to each automaker.

Ford Canada's CEO Mark Buzzell admits they sell more vehicles to older demographics but the company said it's not paying any less attention to young drivers.

"We spend a lot of time with young people understanding what their needs are, what their wants are," said Buzzell. 

He told Morkin that driver-assisted technology is being used to attract millennials, and those who are even younger.

Driver-assisted features appeal to young drivers? Ford is betting on it

7 years ago
Duration 0:32
CBC's 15-year-old auto show correspondent Kegun Morkin asks Ford Canada's CEO what his company is doing to target young drivers.

Mercedes-Benz views new drivers as "very important," but not a main priority.

Listen to more of Kegun's interview with President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada, Brian Fulton.

Young drivers not a 'main priority' for Mercedes-Benz

7 years ago
Duration 0:37
President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada Brian Fulton explains how they're trying to lure younger drivers to the luxury brand.

Young drivers sometimes don't think a new BMW will be their first car or something they'll own any time soon.

The luxury brand is working to make its vehicles more affordable as it attempts to attract a younger clientele.

Here's Morkin talking with BMW product manager Christian Voigt.

BMW tries to make high-tend technology more affordable to young drivers

7 years ago
Duration 0:50
A BMW product manager explains how the company takes tech in expensive, luxurious vehicles and makes it more affordable.