The automotive industry faced some unique circumstances in 2020. Car dealerships and automobile factories faced new selling strategies amid government-mandated shutdowns.

What changes and trends can we expect in the automotive industry? Best Company.com asked leading automotive experts about the biggest trends to impact car brands, dealerships and consumers in 2021.

Trends focus on autonomous vehicle progression, car inventory and sales, which we cover to give you Car Smarts. The digital vehicle buying experience, electric vehicle advancement and new vehicle technology are just some of what you are going to see soon. How will this affect you?

Many car brands have joined the race to create the first autonomous vehicle. However, experts predict that a fully autonomous vehicle will not hit the market for at least another 5 to 10 years. Investing in autonomous solutions is expensive and risky, especially during uncertain economic times. Ethical issues continue to be a major obstacle for programming an autonomous vehicle to keep car passengers and other road occupants safe.

Several new vehicles have autonomous settings such as lane departure, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, street sign recognition, etc. These features still require your attention but allow for sensors on the road for improved safety.

Some auto manufacturers such as Tesla, Cadillac, Ford, Mercedes -Benz and Audi currently sell car models with an autopilot-type feature. Autopilot enables cars to operate independently of the driver within the artificial intelligence guidelines. However, these cars are not equipped to use autopilot in all weather conditions and terrains without a driver behind the wheel.

Consumers interested in autonomous vehicles may choose to upgrade to a car with self-driving features. Just be aware that cars with autonomous settings are often much more expensive than the basic models. In addition, many drivers buy this technology but do not use it regularly.

COVID and a chip shortage has caused dealers to struggle getting in new vehicles. The impact of low inventory will have a direct impact on both dealerships and consumers. This also increased the costs of used cars.

As of January 2021, major car manufacturers are experiencing a chip shortage crisis used in cars and electronics. Semiconductor chips are used to power critical vehicle components such as the brakes and power steering as well as infotainment systems. High-end models with complex interworking require more semiconductor chips to operate. Consumers can expect to see delays in vehicle launches for new 2021 models. Experts predict that the inventory shortage will be resolved by mid-year.

The era of digital car buying has become commonplace because of the concerns for safety; it is a driving factor of the digital car-buying market. The opportunity to find the perfect vehicle without spending hours at a car lot has created demand among millennials. Consumers may spend more of their time online researching vehicle specifications.

Buyers are looking at dealers and online sites for new and used cars like Carvana, Car Gurus, Vroom, CarMax and others.

Government regulations have been steering consumers toward electric or plug-in cars. Consumers continue to purchase diesel, gas and traditional hybrid vehicles. The electric car market faces obstacles such as a lack of charging stations, high prices, and experimental technology. Currently, government incentives may be the only factor strong enough to help grow the electric vehicle car market.

Sustainability initiatives are pushing more auto manufacturers to produce eco-friendly vehicles. Companies producing trucks and SUVs must pivot to produce vehicles that are both large and sustainable. However, auto manufacturers must balance these new initiatives with current customer demand to remain profitable. Current buyers are only 2% of 15.5 million cars sold in the U.S.

After the deep freeze in Texas, those with electric plug-in cars were very frustrated. I foresee a shift in electric vehicle production due to the corporate average fuel economy standards.

The new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards are set to a 1.5% increase per year. Automakers are expected to increase fuel economy and decrease carbon emissions by 1.5% every year. These regulations are set in place from 2021 to 2026. The government continues to put pressure on automotive companies to create reliable vehicles with fewer environmental impacts.

Other emission reduction initiatives are expected to follow. The administration plans to deploy close to 500,000 charging stations across the United States to make charging more accessible.

Other future initiatives include replacing the federal vehicle fleet with electric models and increasing the electric vehicle tax credit for consumers. A prospective car buyer may want to consider some of the upcoming incentives for electric vehicles. Also check your insurance rates, they are much higher that comparable gas powered autos.

Companies are rolling out 5G technology and networks to cities across the United States. Drivers can expect better integration among their smartphones and car infotainment systems along with increased Wi-Fi availability. The increased connectivity of 5G networks is speeding up the adoption of new vehicle technology.

Consumers in the market for a new car should consider the effect of 2021 automotive trends on their car buying experience. The second half of 2021 may be a better time to purchase a new vehicle when automakers can catch up with inventory shortages and dealerships bring back incentives.

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach® is a nationally recognized automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. Post your comments on Twitter: @LaurenFix or on her Facebook Page.