What started as an economic move, gathering mistrust from the industry went on to become highly popular. Those who tried out the online mode called the Tesla process an innovation, making the whole affair way easier. The online transactions of cars are seen with dual advantages of cost-effectiveness along with deeper customer relations. Seeing the profit margins of Tesla and other online car dealers, the others also started putting in funds towards selling cars online, especially EVs. This also benefits the consumers who have become free from the usual hassles of offline car purchases.

With almost everything becoming possible online, Tesla has also gained competition in the market. General Motors has launched a website that helps customers find and customize products online for new cars along with EVs. By late 2020, they saw a 50% increase in traffic that pushed them to enable any transactions, big or small, completely online. Car manufacturing giants like Honda have announced that their new line of EVs will be sold completely online as a convenience tool for buyers. Ford also went 100% online to sell at a non-negotiated price, with cars being sent directly to the buyers instead of being stocked up in lots as was previously dominant.

While most car manufacturers are adjusting to these changes, they also encounter doubts about properly functioning in the online future. This has also been seen in the resistance that they have shown towards the process of ‘Amazonification.’ While the initial defense stated the customers’ apprehension of making expensive transactions online, the statistics show high satisfaction and massive progress in sales in this early digital stage. It’s easier for people to personalize and preorder EVs online. Experts have also noted that now most vehicle buyers tend to depend on and communicate with at least one digital tool during transactions. It seems like the future of car dealerships is predicted to be a combination of online and offline, where the customers have an individual choice.

Formula One driver and 7-time world championship winner, Lewis Hamilton, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during 2021 New Year Honors. British Formula One driver received this honor for his exceptional career and his work in combating racism, and was recommended for knighthood by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson back in November.

A Stellar Formula One Career

Lewis Hamilton is a British race driver that started his career driving for McLaren from 2007 until 2012 and for Mercedes from 2013 to the present day. He has won seven World Drivers’ championship titles, four of which were consecutive wins, equaling the legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher. Hamilton is currently Formula One’s most successful driver with 95 wins overall. His incredible career had earned him a knighthood and the title Sir in 2021, making him the fourth F1 driver to receive this honor, alongside Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, and Stirling Moss.

Racial Justice Activism

In addition to his F1 career, Hamilton is also a prominent activist and philanthropist. As a strong advocate against racism, Hamilton took the knee before every race he took part in during 2020 in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement and wore T-shirts bearing that slogan. Hamilton criticizes the lack of diversity in Formula One and has set up the Hamilton Commission with the Royal Academy of Engineering. The ultimate goal of this commission is increasing diversity in motorsports by engaging more young people of color in technology, engineering, science, and mathematics.

Lewis Hamilton Has No Plans of Retiring

The accomplished driver’s career goes on as he has not announced any retirement plans at this time. It’s quite possible that Hamilton may yet set new records for F1 in upcoming seasons. His other ventures include music, which the driver claims was a big passion of his since he was very young. F1 star also launched a clothing line in 2019, TOMMYXLEWIS, alongside designer Tommy Hilfiger.