Uber plans to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis while maintaining its partnership with Waymo, even as weaker profit guidance pushed shares lower.

Uber is making a major bet on autonomous driving. The company plans to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis over the coming years, even as investors reacted negatively to weaker profit guidance for the third quarter.

The announcement sent Uber shares down nearly 5%, despite strong booking growth and continued expansion across its ride-hailing and delivery businesses.

Uber plans to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis as part of its long-term autonomous driving strategy.

The investment will focus primarily on equity stakes in autonomous-driving partners, fleet operations and vehicle commitments. Uber believes robotaxis will become a critical part of its future transportation network.

Waymo remains a key partner

Reports suggested that Waymo was considering changes to its partnership with Uber. However, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said he expects the two companies to continue working together in Austin and Atlanta.

Uber says Waymo remains an important partner as the company expands its autonomous vehicle network.

Uber is also expanding relationships with other autonomous vehicle developers. The company wants to build a broad network of robotaxi partners rather than relying on a single technology provider.

Analysts have increasingly focused on Uber’s capital allocation strategy after its large acquisition deal and growing investment commitments in autonomous transportation.

Strong demand supports Uber’s long-term strategy

Despite the stock decline, Uber reported second-quarter gross bookings of $58.02 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. Revenue rose 12% year over year, while first-time user growth reached its strongest level in several years.

Uber continues to grow bookings and expand its user base while investing heavily in autonomous transportation.

The company benefited from strong demand across multiple regions and services, including increased travel activity related to major global events.

Uber’s forecast for the third quarter came in slightly below Wall Street expectations. Even so, the company remains focused on expanding its autonomous vehicle strategy.

The Uber robotaxi investment signals that the company views self-driving technology as a long-term growth opportunity. Management believes large-scale investment today will help position Uber for the next phase of urban transportation and autonomous mobility.

The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA combines gasoline and electric versions into a single lineup, replacing the EQA and introducing new EV technology and hybrid powertrains.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA, introducing a major change to its compact SUV strategy by combining gasoline and electric versions into a single model lineup. The new generation replaces both the previous GLA and the electric EQA, allowing buyers to choose between combustion and electric powertrains without changing the vehicle’s size, design or practicality.

The new GLA is based on the Modular Mercedes Architecture (MMA) platform, which will also underpin future compact Mercedes-Benz models.

The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA combines gasoline and electric models in a single compact SUV lineup.

The EQA name disappears from the lineup

One of the biggest changes is the end of the EQA nameplate. Mercedes-Benz is gradually retiring its EQ electric sub-brand, and the new GLA becomes the company’s unified compact SUV offering for both gasoline and electric customers.

Compared with the previous generation, the new GLA has a longer wheelbase, a lower overall height and increased passenger and cargo space. Electric versions also gain a front cargo compartment, adding extra storage capacity.

Three electric models launch first

The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA will initially be available with three electric powertrains. The entry-level GLA 200 electric produces 221 horsepower and uses a 58-kWh battery.

The GLA 250+ electric increases output to 268 horsepower and uses a larger 85-kWh battery with a claimed WLTP range of up to 408 miles. The range-topping GLA 350 4MATIC electric adds all-wheel drive and 349 horsepower.

The larger battery benefits from 800-volt electrical architecture and DC fast charging of up to 320 kW, allowing significant range recovery in a short charging session.

The new GLA electric lineup introduces 800-volt charging technology and longer driving range.

Hybrid gasoline models arrive later

Gasoline versions will follow with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an integrated electric motor.

Mercedes-Benz says the hybrid system will allow short periods of electric driving in urban conditions while improving efficiency through energy recuperation and coasting functions.

The new GLA also receives revised suspension tuning, recalibrated steering and a quieter cabin designed to improve both comfort and handling.

The new GLA introduces updated hybrid technology, revised suspension and the latest MBUX digital cockpit.

Inside, the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA adopts Mercedes-Benz’s latest MBUX Superscreen and MB.OS operating system, adding advanced AI-powered voice functions and upgraded driver-assistance technology. The result is a compact luxury SUV that brings gasoline and electric models together under a single, more flexible platform.

A new survey of more than 19,000 drivers found heated seats remain the most wanted vehicle feature, while demand for parking technology and advanced safety systems continues to grow.

Heated seats are the most desired car feature among drivers planning to buy a new vehicle, according to a new survey of more than 19,000 licensed drivers. The research found that comfort, parking assistance and advanced safety technologies are becoming increasingly important purchase priorities.

The survey asked drivers who intend to buy a new vehicle within the next three years to identify the features they value most. Heated seats ranked first, followed by front and rear parking sensors and rear automatic emergency braking.

Heated seats remain the most desired feature among drivers planning to buy a new vehicle.

Safety and parking technology continue gaining popularity

Parking-related technology showed particularly strong growth in consumer demand. Automatic parking entered the top 15 most-wanted features for the first time, reflecting the wider availability of parking-assistance systems across new vehicles.

Advanced safety features also gained significant momentum. Drivers increasingly expressed interest in technologies such as lane change assist, adaptive smart headlights, safe exit alerts and systems designed to stop the vehicle if the driver becomes unresponsive.

The survey suggests that buyers are placing greater value on features that improve convenience and help reduce the risk of accidents.

Parking assistance and advanced safety systems are becoming more important to new-vehicle buyers.

Drivers are becoming more comfortable with automation

The research also found growing confidence in driver-assistance technology, particularly among younger buyers. Trust in systems that can automatically help prevent accidents increased compared with previous survey results.

Drivers who already own vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems are significantly more likely to want similar technology in their next vehicle. Satisfaction levels among users of these systems were also notably high, with strong ratings for ease of use, reliability and perceived value.

Consumers increasingly want advanced driver-assistance and automated driving features in their next vehicle.

For electric vehicle shoppers, extended battery range and ultra-fast DC charging capability ranked among the most important priorities. Pickup buyers placed particularly high importance on all-wheel drive, reinforcing that different vehicle segments continue to have distinct feature preferences.

The survey shows that heated seats remain the most desired car feature, but it also highlights a broader trend toward comfort, convenience and advanced safety technology becoming central factors in new-vehicle purchasing decisions.