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Reuters
a day ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
U-Blox says in talks about takeover by Advent
Aug 15 (Reuters) - Switzerland's U-Blox Holding (UBXN.S), opens new tab, a maker of microchips and software for car navigation, said on Friday it was in talks with Advent International about being taken over by the private equity firm. "Whether a transaction will materialise is open at this stage," the company said in a statement. Advent declined to comment. Bloomberg reported the talks earlier, adding a deal might value U-Blox at more than 1 billion Swiss francs ($1.2 billion). U-Blox shares were up 19% at 1422 GMT at a three-year high, giving it a market value of about 1 billion francs. The technology group, which went public in 2007, said last week its first-half loss before interest and tax had reduced to 7.7 million francs from a loss of 28 million a year earlier. It cited cost cuts and a 32% jump in revenues to 123.4 million francs. Earlier this year, the company sold a unit making cellular modules for wireless communication to focus on fast-growing navigation and positioning technology used in cars, robots and farm equipment. Globally, dealmaking is up year-to-date, driven by a quest for growth in corporate boardrooms, falling interest rates in many countries, and the impact of a surge in AI activity. ($1 = 0.8048 Swiss francs)
Auto Blog
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
New Car Shoppers Are Sacrificing These Features to Save Money
This one's for those who want to know the nitty-gritty of what makes the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V worth the extra $12k-$20k. Most buyers will sacrifice more than you might expect Automakers continue to add flashy and expensive features to their new vehicles. The expectation is that panoramic glass roofs, reconfigurable digital gauge clusters, or head-up displays are in high demand among consumers. However, AutoPacific's 'Future Attribute Demand Study,' which surveyed more than 14,000 current new vehicle buyers about their interest in more than 160 options, suggests that actual demand for flashy features is quite low, particularly among those shopping in the $25,000-$35,000 segment. For these buyers, simplicity reigns supreme, and the allure of the latest technology doesn't attract them if it affects their monthly payment. 2025 Nissan Altima — Source: Steven Paul 'Front wheel drive, base stereos, cloth seats with various manual adjustment, and analog gauges are in for these more frugal shoppers,' says Robby DeGraff, AutoPacific's manager of product and consumer insights. 'So, the array of standard equipment found on entry- and mid-level trims of today's popular vehicles within the $25,000-to-$35,000 price range may need to be reexamined as consumers tighten their belts in the face of economic uncertainty.' What some, but not all, buyers want The commonly-found features that matter most to those in the under-$35,000 segment are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, selectable drive modes, a heated steering wheel, and a power front passenger seat. Yet these are must-haves among a mere 26% of buyers in this segment. That's a little more than one-in-four buyers, not exactly overwhelming demand. Other features fare even worse. Consider all-wheel drive, which is demanded by 24% of buyers, a memory driver's seat by 23% or welcome lighting at 22%. Then there's a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster at 21%, a panoramic glass roof at 20%, a head-up display and premium audio at 15%, and leather upholstery at 11% – or slightly more than one-in–ten. 2025 Toyota Camry XSE — Source: Toyota If you think such items are more important to buyers with fatter wallets, guess again. The numbers are not significantly higher, although their priorities differ. According to the AutoPacific study, the feature most desired by wealthier buyers is selectable drive modes, which are demanded by 33% of buyers, or just one in three. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power front passenger seat, heated steering wheel, and a premium audio system tie at 31%, followed by all-wheel drive at 29%, and welcome lighting at 28%. A memory driver's seat, reconfigurable digital gauge cluster, and a panoramic glass roof come next at 27% each, followed by a head-up display at 23%, premium audio at 21%, and leather upholstery at 18%. 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V — Source: Cadillac What do $25k-$35k vehicle buyers want? According to AutoPacific, buyers in the $ 25,000-$35,000 range are more open to sedans powered by a conventional internal combustion engine, around 20% want their next vehicle to be a hybrid, and only 5% want it to be a battery-electric vehicle. Keep in mind that these buyers are trading in vehicles that are more than 11 years old, with about a third considering a new vehicle for the first time. Given that, it's a little surprise that they prefer an instrument panel with an analog gauge cluster and conventional controls, alongside a modest center touchscreen without embedded navigation. 2024 Mazda CX-90 — Source: Mazda Yet they still want wireless smartphone charging pads, heated/ventilated front seats, a 110-volt outlet, driver profile settings, and active safety features. With a median household income of $50,000, these buyers are suburban, drive less than 20 miles daily, and have no children living at home. Approximately 31% are Millennials, 29% are Baby Boomers, and 57% are female. Ford Mustang Mach-E — Source: Ford Final thoughts New vehicle prices are rising far faster than the rate of inflation, as automakers continue to ignore new vehicle affordability. Consider that the average new car price in June 2025 was $48,907 according to Cox Automotive. Eleven years earlier, it was $32,556, an increase of more than 50% at a time when inflation rose 35%, according to the Federal Reserve. AutoPacific's 'Future Attribute Demand Study' shows that entry-level buyers are being ignored by an industry too infatuated with pleasing its most profitable customers at the expense of the rest. Source: Adobe Stock Photo 'It's good for models in that price range to offer some fancier, lower-demand features, but those should be optional and limited to higher trim levels, which can also serve to capture customers of bigger and nicely-equipped models who may be downsizing into more affordable segments as they tighten their belts,' says Ed Kim, AutoPacific's president and chief analyst. About the Author Larry Printz View Profile
Motor 1
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'I Don't Have Any Air Coming Out:' Mechanic Works on Chevrolet. He Can't Believe What He Discovers When He Turns on the Car
A mechanic was shocked by how easy it was to correct one Chevrolet driver's gripes with the car's air conditioning system. The TikTok account @laandgauto documented just how easy it was to address this problem. As simple as the process was, the car tech was gobsmacked by the driver's inability to address the issue themselves. Their video on the AC quandary begins with a recording of the car's interior. 'Customer states, 'I don't have any air. Don't have any air coming out,'' he says as he reaches for the fan speed knob inside the Chevy. He twists it to the right, toggling on its max air distribution. 'So, you know, initially, it's a Chevy, I think OK.' Next, he begins hovering his hand over the vents and the bottom floor of the passenger's seat. 'There's the actuator, I mean, under here.' After he places his hand above the car's dash to see if any air is being emitted from these ventilation points, he confirms a lack of airflow throughout the ride. Check the Knobs 'I got nothing coming out. It's all being forced to the front,' he says, indicating that only the defroster is dispensing air. Then, he realizes what is wrong with the car, and thankfully, it's a simple fix. But calling it a fix seems like hyperbole. Because, as it turns out, the Chevy owner had all of their vents turned off. The small knobs beneath the vents themselves had been turned to the off position, preventing air from coming out. After switching them to the open position, the flowing air can be heard distributing evenly throughout the car's cabin. 'So, I started looking around and then I noticed every single one of these is closed,' the TikToker says. Stunned, he concludes that he cannot make up the kinds of ridiculous problems he sees. Car Owners: Clueless About Their Rides Numerous studies have pointed to an alarming automotive trend of user ignorance. In 2018, Fox News reported that more than half of American car owners are confounded by basic auto care. A Seattle, Washington, repair shop that cited the same study indicates that a majority of U.S. drivers 'seem to be intimidated by a car mechanic.' Thankfully, there are tons of resources online that can inform drivers about basic, routine maintenance they can perform on their rides. Even if commuters aren't performing the work themselves, having a better understanding of a car's needs can help drivers ensure their rides are getting the TLC they require. Motor1 has compiled a checklist of what to keep an eye on when you purchase a new car . Online services like DriverSide also provide a detailed list of recommended service intervals and procedures after a driver enters their car's details. This information can curb unnecessary service procedures on one's vehicle. And coupled with a local mechanic with a good reputation and ratings, this proactive approach to car care can ensure one's vehicle is running well long after its manufacturer's warranty expires. Of course, buying cars that are known for reliability and affordable maintenance costs helps too. AC Vents The issue in @laandgauto's video is a prime example of a problem with a very simple solution. However, there are similar AC woes that may also be easily fixed when your system isn't blowing out cool air. Before swapping it out entirely or attempting to fill it with more freon, auto repair shop Hogan & Sons recommends checking your car's fuse box. Consult your car's owner's manual to locate the box and the corresponding fuse responsible for cabin ventilation. You might need a pair of needle-nosed pliers to remove the fuse. If it's charred or blackened at any part, this means it's more than likely blown out. Usually, fuses are standardized parts that many different manufacturers share. Thus, purchasing the ones you need at an auto specialty shop or big box retailer is a fairly straightforward and inexpensive process. Hogan & Sons recommends that drivers lamenting their lack of air conditioning may want to try a fuse swap first. Moreover, swapping out one's cabin air filter is another easy process that could improve air flow and quality in one's ride. Oftentimes located inside the glovebox, cabin air filters usually cost less than $20 for most vehicles and take minutes to replace. Hogan & Sons also recommends that car owners 'inspect the wiring that leads to the AC compressor.' If the wiring doesn't appear to be damaged or torn, see if the AC compressor is littered with debris—same for the cabin filter vents. Try removing the debris and testing your air conditioning once it's been removed. Next, and this might seem obvious, but ensure that your car's air conditioning is set to 'on' and isn't just fanning air coming from outside into the vehicle. Moreover, if you don't want any air coming from outside to enter the vehicle on let's say, a hot day, hit the air recirculation button to ensure cold air is kept inside your ride. Motor1 has reached out to @laandgauto via TikTok comment for further information. Now Trending 'He Yearns For the Shop:' Woman Can't Get Her Baby to Stop Crying. Then She Turns on a YouTube Mechanic Arizona Woman Test-Drives Brand-New Black Toyota Tacoma. Then She Runs Over White Paint Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
The clever eBay trick that can give your old car a high-tech makeover from just £300 – so how did we buff up this BMW?
3BAY Almost a third of the 36 million cars on our roads are more than 12 years old. Which means lots are missing out on useful tech Published: 0:16, Updated: 0:16, EVERY week it seems there's a new special edition to drum up sales. But here's something we haven't seen before. 9 9 9 The eBay Edition. Upgrade your motor — of any age — with some modern low-cost tech you can fit in a jiffy at home. Search for eBay's 'My Garage' page, tap in your car reg, and away you go. Only parts and accessories compatible with that vehicle will show up. This 20-year-old BMW 3 Series, a tasty 330CI, was bought on eBay for a smidge under £9k. Manual gearbox. Rear-wheel drive. Sweet 3-litre in-line six with just 85,000 miles on the clock. Goes like stink. But it didn't have any of the in-car tech people want today. Incredible car modification from Hum Rider means you will never have to sit in traffic again It does now. It's got Apple CarPlay for music and maps. Head-up Display to project speed and other data on to the windscreen in front of you. Even a reversing camera to stop you hitting something you shouldn't. All for less than £300. 9 9 9 Some drivers like the added assurance of blind spot warning sensors, dash cams and a GPS tracker. So it's got them too. Then there's the bangin' aftermarket Gladden sound system with the woofer fitted neatly inside the spare wheel in the boot. BMW M Sport floor mats — from BMW's official eBay store — and refurbished kick plates freshen things up. The Michelin rubber was ordered and fitted via eBay's one-stop tyre shop. My friend spent a total of £2,123 on kit. So that's just over £11k all-in. For a stonking 'E46' Beemer that's been modernised and personalised yet still looks exactly as it should. I'm a little bit jealous. Almost a third of the 36 million cars on our roads are more than 12 years old. Which means there's lots of drivers missing out on useful everyday tech. If that's you, jump on t'interweb and configure your own eBay Edition. Then ask a mate to help fit it. 9 9 9
