logo
Mazda Admits It Was Wrong About Touchscreens, Bets On Steering Wheel Controls

Mazda Admits It Was Wrong About Touchscreens, Bets On Steering Wheel Controls

The Drive10-07-2025
The latest car news, reviews, and features.
For the past several years, Mazda has remained the sole mainstream holdout in the broader industry push toward touch-based infotainment systems, relying instead on a now-anachronistic, console-mounted dial. It wasn't bad to use, and it leaned heavily into Mazda's 'hands on the wheel, eyes on the road' safety philosophy. But after a generation of development as the only major outlier in the industry, the company is now pivoting to a conventional, touchscreen-style experience—and axing most of its physical controls in the process.
'It's all new,' Mazda's Stefan Meisterfeld, U.S. VP of operations, told The Drive in a one-on-one interview.
And not just 'new,' but a ground-up redesign, Mazda said, and not just a re-skin of its existing operating system, and even that is underselling it somewhat.
'[It] will be powered by Google built-in technology. So we have Google Maps natively integrated, we have access to the Google Play Store. The Google Assistant will enhance the voice control. And that's very important for us because despite this large touch screen, we continue to believe in our safety philosophy, hands on the wheel, eyes on the road,' Meisterfeld said.
The first car to embrace this strategy is the company's redesigned CX-5, which is the best-selling model in its lineup by far. The CX-5 and its close sibling, the CX-50, comprise more than 50% of Mazda's total volume—all in just one segment. Put another way, there's a lot riding on this redesign, and Mazda knows it.
But it's not just the navigation and other digital features that are moving behind the touchscreen interface with this generation; Mazda swept the dashboard of most of its knobs and switches, including the controls for the audio and climate control systems. Both are now found in the central, 15.6-inch screen.
And according to Meisterfeld, this is what customers were asking for.
'We conducted customer research and we have been working on this for quite a while because we really want it to be intuitive, easy to use, easy to operate, and at the same time, as I mentioned, we want to adhere to our safety philosophy,' he said. 'But yeah, customer feedback has definitely been a part of the decision making process.'
But since Mazda was late to adopt the touchscreen, it may already be positioning itself somewhat behind the 8-Ball. As we've heard from others in the business, customers love to look at their touchscreens, but they're not nearly as enthusiastic about how they work. Some, including Hyundai, are even predicting an industry-wide retreat from glass interfaces in the near future.
To hedge against this, Mazda redesigned the CX-5's steering wheel.
'We have also developed an all new steering wheel layout with physical buttons where you can quite intuitively control most of the critical functions while driving so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, which as I mentioned, is really critical to our safety philosophy,' Meisterfeld told us.
He said further details about the new wheel controls would be revealed closer to launch, but from what we're hearing so far, it sounds like we'll be seeing more than just a simple collection of redundant shortcuts.
'We believe that now with the integration of Google Assistant, which is very critical with the voice command and this newly designed steering wheel, that we can offer this together with this large touchscreen so that we don't have the situation where people want to control parts of the vehicle and are not focused on the road,' Meisterfeld said.
It's Mazda's hope that this integration of different technologies will strike a balance between satisfying customers' interests in the latest tech and preserving occupant safety. It's a big swing at a strange time; we'll see if Mazda connects.
Got a news tip? Send it our way at tips@thedrive.com.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UPS: Q2 Earnings Snapshot
UPS: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

UPS: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

ATLANTA (AP) — ATLANTA (AP) — United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) on Tuesday reported second-quarter net income of $1.28 billion. On a per-share basis, the Atlanta-based company said it had net income of $1.51. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $1.55 per share. The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.56 per share. The package delivery service posted revenue of $21.22 billion in the period, surpassing Street forecasts. Nine analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $20.85 billion. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on UPS at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

HELOC rates today, July 29, 2025: Rates remain steady ahead of this week's Fed meeting
HELOC rates today, July 29, 2025: Rates remain steady ahead of this week's Fed meeting

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

HELOC rates today, July 29, 2025: Rates remain steady ahead of this week's Fed meeting

The HELOC interest rate remains steady; however, rates vary depending on where you live, so comparing lender offers remains important. Home equity line of credit interest rates are waiting for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, which is not expected to be announced following Wednesday's meeting. The latest Wall Street prediction is a possible rate cut in September. However, the best HELOC lenders will offer low, introductory rates lasting from six months to one year. Now, let's check today's HELOC rate. Dig deeper: HELOC vs. home equity loan: Tapping your equity without refinancing This embedded content is not available in your region. HELOC rates Tuesday, July 29, 2025 According to Bank of America, the largest HELOC lender in the country, today's average APR on a 10-year draw HELOC is 8.72%. That is a variable rate that kicks in after a six-month introductory APR, which is 6.49% in most parts of the country. The national HELOC rate spread runs from a low of 8.05% APR to a high of 9.59%. Homeowners have a staggering amount of value tied up in their houses — more than $34 trillion at the end of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve. That's the third-largest amount of home equity on record. With mortgage rates lingering in the high 6% range, homeowners are not likely to let go of their primary mortgage anytime soon, so selling the house may not be an option. Why let go of your 5%, 4% — or even 3% mortgage? Accessing some of the value locked into your house with a use-it-as-you-need-it HELOC can be an excellent alternative. How lenders determine HELOC interest rates HELOC interest rates are different from primary mortgage rates. Second mortgage rates are based on an index rate plus a margin. That index is often the prime rate, which today is 7.50%. If a lender added 1% as a margin, the HELOC would have a rate of 8.50%. Lenders have flexibility with pricing on a second mortgage product, such as a HELOC or home equity loan, so it pays to shop. Your rate will depend on your credit score, the amount of debt you carry, and the amount of your credit line compared to the value of your home. And average national HELOC rates can include "introductory" rates that may only last for six months or one year. After that, your interest rate will become adjustable, likely beginning at a substantially higher rate. Up Next Up Next How a HELOC works You don't have to give up your low-rate mortgage to access the equity in your home. Keep your primary mortgage and consider a second mortgage, such as a home equity line of credit. The best HELOC lenders offer low fees, a fixed-rate option, and generous credit lines. A HELOC allows you to easily use your home equity in any way and in any amount you choose, up to your credit line limit. Pull some out; pay it back. Repeat. Meanwhile, you're paying down your low-interest-rate primary mortgage like the wealth-building machine you are. This embedded content is not available in your region. Look for introductory rates, but be aware of a rate adjustment later Today, FourLeaf Credit Union is offering a HELOC rate of 6.49% for 12 months on lines up to $500,000. That's an introductory rate that will convert to a variable rate later. When shopping lenders, be aware of both rates. And as always, compare fees, repayment terms, and the minimum draw amount. The draw is the amount of money a lender requires you to initially take from your equity. The power of a HELOC is tapping only what you need and leaving some of your line of credit available for future needs. You don't pay interest on what you don't borrow. HELOC rates today: FAQs What is a good interest rate on a HELOC right now? Rates vary so much from one lender to the next that it's hard to pin down a magic number. You may see rates from nearly 7% to as much as 18%. It really depends on your creditworthiness and how diligent a shopper you are. Is it a good idea to get a HELOC right now? For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and a chunk of equity in their house, it's probably one of the best times to get a HELOC. You don't give up that great mortgage rate, and you can use the cash drawn from your equity for things like home improvements, repairs, and upgrades. Of course, you can use a HELOC for fun things too, like a vacation — if you have the discipline to pay it off promptly. A vacation is likely not worth taking on long-term debt. What is the monthly payment on a $50,000 home equity line of credit? If you take out the full $50,000 from a line of credit on a $400,000 home, your payment may be around $395 per month with a variable interest rate beginning at 8.75%. That's for a HELOC with a 10-year draw period and a 20-year repayment period. That sounds good, but remember, it winds up being a 30-year loan. HELOCs are best if you borrow and pay back the balance in a much shorter period of time.

Cherry Creek Family Offices Expands Leadership Team, Naming Jason Perlioni, Former CIO of Johns Hopkins University, Senior Partner and Chair of Investment Committee
Cherry Creek Family Offices Expands Leadership Team, Naming Jason Perlioni, Former CIO of Johns Hopkins University, Senior Partner and Chair of Investment Committee

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Cherry Creek Family Offices Expands Leadership Team, Naming Jason Perlioni, Former CIO of Johns Hopkins University, Senior Partner and Chair of Investment Committee

Perlioni to work closely with Cherry Creek Family Offices CIO Corey McKiernan and the firm's investment management professionals Move follows addition of Brad Sprong from KPMG as Senior Partner, Tax and Estate Planning, and formation of new strategic partnership with Midwest Trust Company DENVER, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Creek Family Offices (CCFO), offering sustained prosperity for accomplished families, today announces the appointment of Jason Perlioni, former CIO of Johns Hopkins University, as Senior Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee. In this new role, Perlioni will work closely with CCFO's Managing Partners, Kevin Burke and Tim Ulfig, as well as Chief Investment Officer, Corey McKiernan. "As we continue to deepen and enhance the capabilities and expertise we deliver to our ultra-high-net-worth family clients, I'm thrilled that Jason Perlioni will join our team at this exciting time," said Burke. "Our continued investment in top-flight talent and solutions demonstrates our steadfast commitment to the families and their future generations that we serve." The latest expansion of CCFO's leadership team follows the recent addition of Brad Sprong, the former National Industry Tax Leader for KPMG's Private Enterprises Practice, as Senior Partner, Tax and Estate Planning. Burke remarked, "Jason and Brad are tremendous additions to our leadership team. Jason's 25 years of experience serving institutional and ultra-high-net-worth investors will be a powerful complement to the work of our CIO, Corey McKiernan, and the investment team he leads. Likewise, Brad, who is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier family‑office tax professionals, brings specialized expertise that rounds out our leadership capabilities." Strategic Partnership with Midwest Trust Company The deepening of CCFO's leadership comes on the heels of the firm's strategic partnership with Midwest Trust Company, a nationally recognized, independent, closely held trust company, and its affiliates. The new partnership, which was formed in the first quarter of this year, provides CCFO with exclusive access to Midwest Trust's personalized family fiduciary and trust services. The move also aligns CCFO with permanent long-term capital to be utilized for continued investment in the leading-edge resources and solutions necessary to provide an exceptional service experience and outcomes for its client families. Unparalleled Institutional Experience and Relationships Before joining CCFO as Senior Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee, Perlioni served as the Vice President of Investments and Chief Investment Officer for Johns Hopkins University, where he oversaw all aspects of the investment program for over $9 billion of endowment and related investment assets. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Perlioni served as CIO at the multi-billion-dollar single-family office of The Pritzker Group, leading the Asset Management effort. Earlier in his career, he served as a Director and Portfolio Manager at UBS Global Asset Management and in the Northwestern University Investment Office, following his start as a management consultant at Arthur D. Little and Price Waterhouse. "As I considered the next phase of my career, the opportunity to impact the industry-leading offerings, investment acumen and client service at CCFO made joining this team the clear choice," said Perlioni. "I look forward to working closely with Kevin, Corey and the entire organization to offer leadership insights and help shape the customized investment strategies we build for clients, while also amplifying our access to top institutional alternative investments that reinforce intergenerational wealth preservation and growth." Expertise in Navigating the Complexities of Tax and Estate Planning In the fourth quarter of last year, Brad Sprong joined CCFO as a Senior Partner, leading the firm's tax and estate planning efforts, after an impressive tenure as the National Industry Tax Leader for KPMG's Private Enterprises Practice. In this role, he served as the Lead Partner and Account Executive for KPMG's largest clients, establishing himself as a trusted advisor to families on tax strategy, talent assessment and business expansion. Sprong said, "Joining CCFO to help elevate the firm's already exceptional client service is the culmination of decades spent advising ultra‑high‑net‑worth families—a calling I remain deeply passionate about. Effective intergenerational wealth planning seamlessly integrates investment management with innovative tax, retirement, and estate strategies. Kevin Burke and Tim Ulfig have built an outstanding team of senior professionals dedicated to exactly that mission, and I'm energized by what we can achieve together." About Cherry Creek Family Offices Cherry Creek Family Offices (CCFO) is an employee-owned, independent investment advisor and full-service family office to ultra-high-net-worth multi-generational families with more than $3 billion in total client assets. Since 2010, CCFO has focused on a singular purpose: delivering independent, non-conflicted investment advice and family office services to a select group of clients. CCFO prides itself on providing single-family office services inside a multi-family office structure. Based in Denver, the team aspires to set the standard of service and performance in the industry. Media Contacts for Cherry Creek Family OfficesDonald Cutler or Brandon BlackwellHaven Tower Group424-317-4864 or 424-317-4868dcutler@ or bblackwell@ View original content: SOURCE Cherry Creek Family Offices Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store