Class B license applications among young people grow 3.5% in Chile

The new generations grew up connected and they also enjoy getting behind the wheel, because it represents independence, fun, and also a form of self-expression, according to various international studies. In fact, class B driver's license procedures among people under 30 grew 3.5% in Chile during 2024, according to the latest figures published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The increase extends the recovery recorded since 2021 and places this group above pre-pandemic levels. In total, people aged 17 to 29 registered 212,269 procedures, between new licenses and renewals, compared to 205,108 in 2023. The figure is 2.1% higher than that of 2019 and corresponds to the fourth consecutive annual increase, following the drop in 2020. In this scenario, OMODA | JAECOO seeks to connect with young drivers through models that combine design, connectivity, and driving assistance. Added to this local picture is the interest in owning a car, according to a study by De la Riva Group released in September 2025. The research interviewed 1,202 young people aged 15 to 21 from Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica during 2024: nine out of ten said they would like to have a vehicle within five years, and seven out of ten prefer to buy a new one. The results correspond to the six countries as a whole. Beyond the purchase, other studies explore young people's relationship with driving. In the United States, 77% of Generation Z respondents said they like or love driving, according to Hagerty. In German-speaking Switzerland, 88% of young people aged 18 to 29 surveyed by AutoScout24 and TX Group Market Research consider the car a tool for getting around and saving time. Technology is also part of that relationship. A survey by Talker Research for Lemonade, conducted in 2025 among 2,000 American drivers, showed that 56% of Generation Z participants regularly use features such as their phone's driving mode, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto. The proportion drops to 34% among Generation X and 18% among baby boomers. In Chile, the OMODA C5 and JAECOO 5 incorporate wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The former features two 10.25-inch screens; the latter, a central screen of up to 13.2 inches, depending on the version. These interfaces allow access to navigation and music from the cabin. From design to trips with friends and petsDesign and innovative technologies are among the attributes that Generation Z highlights when evaluating a car, according to research by McKinsey among more than 4,000 consumers in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Safety, driving assistance, and multimedia functions are also part of their considerations. In OMODA | JAECOO's offering, those preferences translate into two approaches: the OMODA C5 combines its Art in Motion design concept with sport-inspired interior details, while the JAECOO 5 is geared toward outdoor activities. Both offer adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and cameras to support maneuvers, depending on the version. Shared trips also include pets. The Mars Global Pet Parent study, conducted among more than 20,000 dog and cat owners in 20 countries, revealed that 45% of Generation Z participants consider their pet the most important thing in their life. The JAECOO 5 reflects that bond with a TÜV SÜD certification for a pet-friendly cabin and accessories sold separately, such as carriers and protective mats for the trunk. To this it adds a karaoke system available as an accessory, for use while the vehicle is parked. With the arrival of spring in Chile, outings to the coast or the countryside provide a context close to this offering: connecting the phone, choosing a route, and sharing the trip with friends and pets. It is in these everyday uses that OMODA | JAECOO seeks to link its design and technology with the interests of young drivers.