I've said it before...

Holy mackerel! Very enlightening. I never would have believed it. Back in the day, I and ALL of my friends, male AND female, lived for cars. The vast majority of our activities revolved around cars! US cars!!

I didn't know those specifics, but that data doesn't surprise me.   

Younger "car people"  have different tastes for a host of reasons.    I appreciate and respect their choices but I, nonetheless, have little interest nor do I like what they do.   To me, it will always be "Jap-crap,"  just as everything I like would be dismissed as "an old man's car."

It's always disappointing & sad whenever I'm reminded that virtually every "youth market"  vehicle produced by domestic OEMs is something that garners zero desire.

With regard to scale models & collecting among young people, I see extremely high skill level, build quality, and accuracy.   They demand perfection, scale authenticity, and/or working features.

Who, among us, would argue that? 

It really doesn't matter what they collect - so long as they collect.   Without "demand,"  there could be no hobby. 

I don't have any interest in what they like and I'm sure they don't have any interest in what I like and never the twain shall meet. 

Something I have noticed in my weekly hunt for HotWheels and Matchbox. My main competition is kids about 8 to 12 years old. To me, that is gratifying. They also seem to go for real vehicle copies, not fantasy models. Matchbox especially, plays to that market. Younger folk interest may have declined, but it is still there.

In my experience, I have found in the real world, what you're saying is ABSOLUTELY true!  The car culture is strong and thriving.  It's just changed with age.  And literally, we boomers are no different.  Our primary automotive interests are in the cars of our youth.  It's the same with the kids today and will be the same for future generations.  The adolescent kids today will likely covet the cars built today. 

And the beat goes on.  

Generally speaking I don't think the car hobby has changed that much, just the differing areas of interest (i.e. Japanese cars).  I remember way back when I was a young teen the cars that drew my interest the most by far were the post war through early '60s American models with a dash of a certain British cars.  The 20s and early 30s cars were just of passing interest.  Guys who were a decade or more older than me used to be very excited about them however as it was relative to their hot rod focused attraction.  They were also much more into the custom car craze; I found it interesting as an art form but never wanted to have one.  As a few posts have suggested, generational interests in automobiles vary and no doubt always will; its all good as long as our hobby carries on.  I have spoken to very many younger people at car shows over the years and do appreciate their passion for cars; whether it's Japanese or VWs or BMWs.

@jack-dodds When I was in my teens and early 20s, the cars I was most interested in were American cars from the 1960s and early 1970s. Then my interest changed to cars from Japan, specifically the Datsun/Nissan series of Z cars and the Mazda RX-7. I owned two of each, and currently drive the new Z.

@marty-johnson 

"And the beat goes on..." Wasn't that the Plymouth ad ? "And the Plymouth win you over beat goes on." Or is my imagination imagining again ? 😂

@100ford2003   I've never heard this promotion before in my life....    YOU have a great memory.

@ed-davis Even as a kid, growing up in America, it never made sense to me why anyone would drive a foreign car.    I've never owned one.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

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I do wish we could be more welcoming to younger collectors rather than stereotyping them as only interested in their phones with no care for cars. Many of the folks we grew up with had no interest in cars either. There are a lot of younger folks who share our passion. They should feel as at home here as we do.  They are the future of the hobby. 

We can't be more welcoming when some of us post negative comments about the younger generation(s). I'm sure many lurk here without joining because they see some of this stuff. That also includes using racial stereotypes, which I see above also. If one doesn't call it out, one is a part of the problem.

OK, just finished the article. My first thought is that it seems millennials want a car they can interact with (maybe like a friend?), something they can make noise with, spin out, donuts, rev the engine...everything i see in southern California everyday. Apparently, what they do not want is a boulevard cruiser, quiet, smooth ride, with a good radio and a (maybe) sunroof.

I read something last week that indicated there are only 8 American made sedans. 

@chris 

Thanks Chris, sometimes posts here strike a chord 'upstairs'. 😁 And, I do believe that is Petula Clark 🤔 

Steve 

@lloyd-mecca - The sedan is losing its appeal to the American market.  It's being replaced by the SUV and Crossover, which is the #1 selling automotive platform in this country.  I believe most of the tastes are being driven (no pun intended) by the practicality of Crossovers and SUVs.  Hence, very few sedans are being offered, and some companies (Like Lincoln and Buick) stopped selling them completely.  

I agree that generally, young people aren't interested in boulevard cruisers.  Neither were we when we were young.