Tips When Buying a New Car in 2022

With the cost of used cars at an all-time high in 2022, some of us are considering making the splash and buying a new car. The scarcity of supply in the used car market means people are increasingly willing to ignore the traditional financial advice of buying a 3 year-old car instead of a new car. This advice proclaims new cars depreciate in value by over 15% after the first year. Many will now accept the loss of new cars value rather than paying more for a used car in todays climate. If you’re looking at buying a new car in 2022, we’ve collated all the necessary information you should consider during the buying process below. 1. Know your budget & if a used car offers better value One of the most important considerations when buying a new car is determining your budget. Your budget may mean some models/brands will be out of reach or you may have to sacrifice on additional specs. If you do not have the savings to cover the full price, then Car Finance is another consideration (more on this in tip 12). It might also be worth considering if you can afford the car you really want or if you’d be better off buying a used car. You can view one of our blogs investigating the questions you should ask when buying a used car. 2. Choosing between Diesel, Petrol, Hybrid or Electric (BEV) The debate is raging amongst new buyers on if now is the time to make the switch to electric vehicles. Such a move would avoid rising fuel costs and future proof their next car purchase. Over 20% of new car sales in January 2022 were electric vehicles. One can read about the advantages and disadvantages of Electric Cars on our recent blog. For those reticent about making the switch to fully electric (BEV’s), then hybrid vehicles are the popular alternative. For the traditionalists, the great electric vehicle switch will take time before reaching mainstream. This is especially true with the government’s goal of 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. In that instance, petrol and diesel vehicles are not going anywhere in the next few years and may offer a more familiar and less risky purchase for some. 3. Select a dealer/brand that will be easy visit/contact post purchase When at a dealership, don’t rush into a deal. Consider if the dealership is responsive to your concerns and have a great customer service. Both will be important if you run into any issues with the car. The majority of new car manufacturers offer a car warranty. It may be important that there is a recognized brand dealership near you in the event of vehicle issues. This does not mean you need to buy locally. But if you buy a Toyota in Dublin while living in Galway, you should consider if there is a brand dealer in Galway that could provide the regular servicing of the vehicle. 4. Examine running costs & fuel efficiency/range As fuel increases continue, fuel economy will be important in the choice of your next vehicle . Hybrid vehicles can save up to 30% on fuel costs. Battery vehicles can save 70% on car running costs but can vary in driving range depending on the model. Many new petrol and diesel vehicles also offer improved fuel efficiency. It may be worth noting that larger engines may be increasingly targeted in Government measures aimed at minimizing Carbon emissions. 5. Know the no. of years warranty Most car manufacturers offer a warranty on new car sales. This means they will repair any major faults/defects to the vehicle. E.g. Kia offer one of the best in class warranties of 7 years or 150,000km whichever is sooner. New cars rarely have major issues during the first 5-7 years off the production line. Yet, if you want peace of mind, keep an eye on the warranty offered by the manufacturer and after care services. 6. Research the price of car insurance Before buying a new car, you should check what the insurance is likely to be. Larger engine sizes will have higher insurance premiums. Checking before purchase will allow you to avoid any nasty surprises. 7. Investigate if the car specs meet your requirements Does the car have all the specs you need? Or do some technical specs come at an extra cost such as Cruise control, alloy wheels, sunroof etc. Find out what comes as standard and what specs can't do without. Also bear in mind other aspects of the car such as interior space or boot room if you have a growing family. 8. Test drive more than one car Its important to try out a range of different car models to explore car suitability. Its often only when we get in a car that we find out if this car is for us. If you like a car, try to test drive its main competitor as well so you don’t develop “oneitis”. Don't be clouded by your first new car experience and miss out on a better deal. 9. Negotiate on price Not everyone realises when buying their first new car that the stated dealer price for new vehicles excludes “delivery and related charges”. This can often add on an extra €1500 to the price. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on price with the Salesperson. They will often move on the mentioned pricetoo get a deal done. 10. Trade in your old vehicle to decrease the price Having a car to trade in against the value of the new car will help in dealer negotiations. Used car sales are booming and dealers know they can shift cars. They may give you a better deal if you trade in your existing car. 11. Factor in the deposit and delivery date in your buying decision Car dealers may ask for a deposit of greater than €500 to reserve your new vehicle. You often may have to wait to receive your new car as it may not be in the showroom. You will need to factor this into your purchase timeline. If you need the car very soon, new car deliveries usually take over 8 weeks. 12. Identify all of your car finance options (and know the small print) When buying a new car, most dealers will offer car finance/PCP. While PCP (Personal Contract Plan) can be convenient, it comes with many caveats. One of these is that you won’t fully own the car until the final payment. Essentially, PCP finance is a lease scheme. You may also be constrained by car servicing agreements and caps on mileage. PCP contrasts with a credit union car loan which is available to people both purchasing a new and used vehicle. With credit union car loans you own the car from the start. You can drive it as much as you want with no mileage caps. Read more about the difference between the two loan types on our blog comparing credit union car loans vs PCP. Find your nearest credit union using our credit union locator tool and find out more about credit union car loans. Source: https://www.creditunion.ie/blog/12-tips-when-buying-a-new-car-in-2022/

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Cubic Telecom and Qualcomm join efforts to deliver innovative connectivity solutions for enhanced services and infotainment systems connected-cars-smart-data-car-data-

March 11, 2022 Cubic’s connected software solutions will enable global connectivity and related analytics and insights for Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon® Car-to-Cloud Services, further enhancing the Snapdragon® Digital Chassis™ cloud-connected vehicle platforms.

Dublin, Ireland. March 11, 2022. Award-winning connected software solutions provider, Cubic Telecom, is set to strengthen its strategic relationship with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a leading systems solutions provider for automotive. Cubic’s connected software solutions will enable global connectivity and related analytics and insights for its Snapdragon® Car-to-Cloud Services, further enhancing the Snapdragon Digital Chassis cloud-connected vehicle platforms. Cubic’s Plxor, Insights and Pace products’ integration with Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services can allow Qualcomm Technologies to extend cloud-based services on its Snapdragon® chipset modules to global automakers. Cubic’s software solution is engineered to enable any vehicle shipped anywhere in the world to have built-in compliance across local markets. Cubic Telecom CEO Barry Napier welcomed this latest milestone in a relationship dating back to 2012: “As a trusted technology enabler, Cubic Telecom is proud to be part of Qualcomm Technologies’ strategic plans as it shifts into cloud-enabled services and device management.” “Using three of Cubic’s core software products – Plxor for differentiated billing, Insights for real-time device analytics and Pace for seamless connectivity, localised services and compliance – Qualcomm Technologies will be able to power global and regional cloud-based apps, services and content,” added Napier. “We’re excited that Qualcomm Technologies has chosen the Cubic Team to help deliver its next-generation vehicle solutions.” Cubic’s global connected software solutions power more than 8 million vehicles across 100 countries for leading automotive brands, including Volkswagen Group, CNH Industrial, Arrival and e.GO Mobile, as well key technology players such as Microsoft and Kymeta. In January 2021, Cubic won the “IoT Analytics Innovation Award” at the IoT Breakthrough Awards, in recognition of the company’s expanded product portfolio and expertise in analysing connected vehicle data as manufacturers strive to optimize driver experience. About Cubic Telecom Cubic Telecom delivers innovative connected software solutions to automotive, agriculture, and transport manufacturers. Its scalable solution enables a multitude of revenue-generating services, combining real-time analytics supported by global connectivity and regional regulatory compliance in 190 countries. Cubic’s global connected software is used by recognised global leaders in the automotive and technology space, including Arrival, Audi, Bentley, CNH Industrial, e.GO Mobile, Kymeta, Lamborghini, Microsoft, Panasonic Automotive, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda, and Volkswagen. Headed by CEO Barry Napier, the company is privately held, with over €110 million in funding by Audi Electronics Venture GmbH, Qualcomm Technologies, Valid, the European Investment Bank, Enterprise Ireland, and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, among others. ### Snapdragon and Digital Chassis are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon, Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ABOUT CUBIC TELECOM Cubic Telecom delivers innovative IoT connected software solutions to Automotive, Agriculture, and Transport manufacturers. Its ecosystem of revenue-generating services combines real-time analytics with global connectivity in 190 countries, always aligned to regional regulatory requirements. Its global connected software platform PACE is used by leading companies around the world including Audi, Microsoft, Kymeta, Panasonic Automotive, Volkswagen, CNH Industrial, Skoda, e.GO Mobile and Arrival. Headed by CEO Barry Napier, the company is privately held with over €110 million in funding by Audi Electronics Venture GmbH, Qualcomm, Valid, the European Investment Bank, Enterprise Ireland, and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, among others. MEDIA CONTACTS Press Office | Cubic Telecom | marketing@cubictelecom.com | +353 (1) 486 0600 Fionnuala Kavanagh | Cubic Telecom | FionnualaK@cubictelecom.com Filed Under: Automotive Technology, car-to-cloud, connected car software, digital cockpit Source:> https://www.cubictelecom.com/media/press/cubic-telecom-and-qualcomm-join-efforts-to-deliver-innovative-connectivity-solutions-for-enhanced-services-and-infotainment-systems/

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Helpful Advice For Anyone Looking To Buy A New Vehicle

May 04, 2022

Purchasing a car is an incredibly intimidating affair, especially for the uninformed. If you are struggling with getting the right car, this article can help you to reduce the price. By paying a fair amount, you will feel happier and more relaxed about your purchase. Good luck with your car purchase! Never, ever skip the test drive when you are car shopping. You have to get behind the wheel of that car and see how it feels before committing to a buying it. Make sure you try a variety of driving conditions, including surface streets and interstate driving. Do not forget to try pulling it into a parking space in a shopping center. Before you set foot into a dealership, do some research online. Check nearby dealership's websites and record their listed price on the vehicle you want, as well as any special deals they might be offering. Having Cars For Sale Ireland at your disposal will be a valuable asset when it comes time to negotiate with a salesman. Take time to look over the dealer prior to making buying offers. You will have more negotiating power if you know how they operate and what finance options they offer. Reading customer reviews can also give you a good picture of what you may be getting into. Bring along a friend. They can be an extra set of ears, along with being more reasonable about leaving when hearing a deal that doesn't benefit you. This company could be your life partner, a best friend or a trusted family member. When you are looking for a car to purchase, make sure that any vehicle you consider is equipped with the latest safety features. You should always get a car with anti-lock brakes. Air bags are also essential. Safety is important, since you will be traveling in this vehicle alot. Check the BBB rating of your local car dealers before you visit them. As you likely already know, car dealers can be less than honest. Save yourself from a lot of stress and expense by investigating how others feel about the car dealer. The time it takes is nothing compared to the time you can waste at a sheisty dealer. Find out whether there are any upcoming car shows nearby. This is an excellent opportunity to explore your options. This is a great opportunity to look over many different cars in one place. You can talk to the experts on hand as well. After visiting an auto show, you are likely to have a narrowed list of vehicles that interest you. Demand a safety report and vehicle history report from the dealer. Any good car dealer will have these items available for any vehicle on the lot. This is information that will tell you how safe the vehicle is as well as any major accidents or work that has been needed on the car. Do not get all the extras offered during the negotiation. These things include extended warranties, clear coat and fabric care options. You can generally purchase these features after you have bought the car for a fraction of the price. Also, do yo really want to be paying for these few features over the length of the loan. Always be leery of any used car dealers on the side of the road. These dealers almost always have a less than reputable reputation. The cars they sell could have flood damage, need major repairs, and are sold without warranty. Once you drive that car off the lot, any problems the car has are now your problem. When looking to buy a new or used vehicle, make sure that you never elude to the fact of how much money you have on your person. You only want to talk about what you think you should put down in regards to the terms and price of the vehicle being discussed. If you don't have friends or family in your area to ask for advice from, check the Better Business Bureau's website to find out how the dealers in your area are dealing with customers. This will allow you to at least remove those with many complaints from your list of options. Now that you are informed, you won't need luck to get the right car. Remember these tips, keep calm, and find the car that you have always dreamed about. Your friends will not believe the price you paid. You will love the car you are driving. Everyone comes out ahead!

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Benefits Of Keeping Your Oil Changed

Changing your engine oil on a regular regular basis is extremely important and brings many benefits to the owner and vehicle.

Oil plays a huge part in keeping your engine in good shape and lubricated. Not only does it keep your engine in good shape but also has other roles like keeping the engine clean, its helps keep the vehicle cool, it reduces pollutants and stops the formation of sludge in your engines sump. If not changed at regular intervals or every 10,000 miles for petrol engines or 6000 for diesel engines you can end up wear and tear and a loss of power or god forbid engine failure.

When changed regularly the benefits include better engine stability by improving the life and functionality of the engine. When changed at regular intervals your engine will be clean inside and this will lead to better engine performance and it wont show as many signs of ageing giving it a longer life.

When oil is not changed regularly the engine starts losing its ability to lubricate and protect delicate parts within the engine resulting in friction between the moving parts and the engine starts to wear. The more friction there is the harder the engine has to work to overcome the friction. This will increase fuel consumption  as performance decreases.

While on the flip side new oil is very smooth, creamy and viscous allowing engine parts to move smoothly with very little friction between the moving parts. This improves fuel consumption as the engine is now not working so hard and better mileage should be the end result. Regular oil changes also help to reduce noise made by the engine as parts move smoothly across each other producing less heat and friction and this will also help to keep your engine cooler.

Performance generally depends on the condition of your engine and if you service it regularly you can expect to get many more miles from your vehicle than if you don't. Changing your oil is a simple procedure and can be done on your driveway in about 15 minutes if you have a few tools and a jack. If you don't want to do it yourself you can take it to the many 1000s of garages and service centers dotted around the country.

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What Makes Luxury Cars Special

There are many vehicles today that are marketed as luxury vehicles, but some of them could be described as glorified metal boxes on wheels. Car manufacturers often produce a basic car model and include additions that you have to pay for, but this does not constitute a luxury car. In fact, depending on the brand, nearly all manufacturers today offer some mix of luxury features to enhance their advertising. In the past, luxury cars were defined by their size, comfort, space and presence, but today, the feel of the vehicle is also a significant factor.

Status
The intangible value of status adds to the worth of a luxury vehicle. Some people simply want the latest and greatest of whatever is in the market; having the money to buy a luxury car points to your success. Joining the elite group of luxury car owners is also easy since you can buy a used luxury car - you get to enjoy all the perks of a better class of cars and the after service associated with them.

Aesthetic value
A significant divergence exists between a standard vehicle and a luxury car, in which the latter has the distinct look that makes it stand out. Smoother design shapes and lines and vibrant paint are part of the luxury package - no flaws are visible on the bodywork or paintwork. They are also known for having some of the plushest interiors and the most options for customization.

Design quality
Luxury cars typically meet stringent technical requirements. There is a world of difference between the quality of fit, finish, overall performance and operating efficiency of luxury cars and those of lower priced models. A car's potential to go fast and handle well is a powerful lure characteristic of luxury cars, with some boasting horsepower upwards of 300 mph and going up to 500 horsepower. Luxury cars also offer advanced safety options and the best entertainment technology. Excellent aerodynamics is also an indication that a lot of resources and research have been pumped into the vehicle's design.

Size
Equating luxury and size is a worldwide notion. Size provides an extra level of refinement, craftsmanship, features as well as an overall presence and stance that is unique to luxury cars. However, there is also a market for compact, fuel-efficient luxury cars with the right features. An increasing number of luxury car owners today aren't pining for bigger vehicles. For instance, many owners of BMW 3 Series compacts have no intention of moving up to the larger 7 Series and have no problem paying 40,000 Euros for a 3 Series.

Reputation
A lot can be said about the emotional connections people can make with a brand and how that makes them feel, but there is a lot more to luxury cars than prestige. When it comes to the luxury market, the fact that a brand is time-tested is a key selling point. The customer experience associated with a brand is also critical - people want to walk into a dealership and feel that their needs are being met. Luxury car brands are also known for their credibility when it comes to safety, so much so that consumers are often willing to spend more on new innovations.

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Why Having Good Tyres Really Is Essential

The importance of having good tyres on your car really cannot be underestimated and indeed the consequences of having tyres that have low tread or are completely bald can actually be fatal in certain situations. You should, therefore, look at checking the state of them on a regular basis and as soon as they are getting close to being illegal, then you need to check out the tyres for sale that are suitable for your car and get them replaced immediately.

Perhaps the main reason why you need good tyres is due to the stopping distance because when they are old and have very little tread, then you can expect to stop in dry conditions quicker, but when the road is even slightly damp, then that stopping distance is going to increase with you then being more likely to have a crash. The reason why this happens is because the tread helps to push the excess water out of the way, but when the tyre is quite bald you lose grip and are unable to stop as that water remains under the wheel for longer resulting in the distance being increased.

Good tyres are also going to help when it comes to the handling of the car because you must remember that this is the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, so when the tyres are relatively new, then you can stay in control as you go around the corners rather than constantly having to correct the steering wheel as you drive along. This point becomes even more important if you have a high performance car because top makes will often have low profile tyres with harder sidewalls to handle not only the speed, but the acceleration as well, so if they are wearing thin, then you can expect to spin off at any point.



Finally, there is the fact that not having good tyres with the correct tread on them is actually illegal because your car is simply seen as being unfit to be on the road as you are endangering other motorists and even pedestrians due to your inability to stop. If your tyres are not fit for purpose, then you can expect a fine and of course if you are in an accident, then you can expect your insurance company to have something to say about the matter as well with your premiums then increasing as a result.

Those are just a few reasons why having good tyres really is essential along with what can happen if they are past their best and checking the tread on them is something that you need to do on a regular basis in order to make sure that you have at least 1.6mm of tread on there at all times. Failure to do so can result in your car being forced off the road and you being given a fine as your car is then classed as being a danger to not only yourself, but other road users as well, so when they are bald go and check the different tyres for sale for your model and drive safely at all times.

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New 131 Registration Plate

After quite a bit of debate and superstition about the 13 reg plate, Ireland has introduced a 2 tier registration plate in 2013, new cars will have either a 131 reg plate if registered up to June 30^th or a 132 reg plate if registered from the 1^st of July. This year the motor industry will attempt to spread sales across the whole year and not just sell the bulk of their cars early in the year.

Alan Nolan, director general of The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), told Irish Independent : "While it is too early to tell how new car sales are doing, there certainly has been a lot of interest. The motor industry is often used as a barometer for the economy and we hope, with consumer confidence seeing some slight pick up, combined with the new number plate, that interest will grow in coming weeks."

Car sales were down 12% last year according to new car sales figures from the SIMI. We wish the best of luck to the Irish motor industry for 2013 and hope it will a good year for all involved.

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The Motor Industry Has Come A Long Way

The Motor industry has come a long way since 1885 when Karl Benz put together the first contraption in Germany. The industry quickly became viable with loads of  investors getting into the field. By 1929, more than 38 million cars were in the US alone. This meant that there was a car for every 5 people in America. This already was an achievement and with the US providing 90% of the cars. Soon Japan took over as the largest producer of cars and China are pushing for that spot today. The advancements have been nothing but phenomenal from simple steam engines to petrol engines and now hybrids and Electric. The development has seen new car brands develop to provide cars for many different needs and styles. The initial purpose was for transportation and functionality. The luxury need was later developed and today we see high flying concept cars coming to being every other day.

Materials

It is almost impossible to tell where we are heading in the industry. The materials that were used back in the day were purely metal and leather for interiors. The industry has taken to plastics and carbon fiber among others for improvement and luxury. Engines have been developed using light aluminum and bodies carbon fiber for lightness. Different plastics have been used for support and lining while wood and fabrics ranging from leather and rexin are incorporated into the designs. Cars have become purely instruments of innovation. Functionality and elegance gaps are slowly closing in with earth movers being developed to provide comfort during work. Trucks have been fused with state of the art technology to provide a peace of mind and unmatched comfort for long distance drivers.

Speed

30 miles per hour was a killer speed in the 1890s. Speeds have since been improved with engines and car systems being developed to give more power. With present speeds of over 260miles per hour, very little is left to the imagination of many. The Buggati Veron, Ferrari, Lamborghini and other supercars have made speed their opium. Cars are being built to provide more horse power like jet engines, and this speed  comes with a price in terms of both risk and cost. The motor industry has also claimed many lives on the roads so standard cars come with standard speeds too.

Safety

The main concern of the car industries now is safety and functionality. With such speeds being developed. It has become crucial that cars are fitted with more safety features. Airbags have been developed with a fusion of anti-roll bars to increase the chances of survival in high speed crashes, impact and rolling. Volvo ranks as one of the safest vehicles.  Mercedes Benz are proving to be very safety conscious too.

These factors are a major concern when buying cars whether used or new. Laws and regulations have been put in place to regulate the automotive business and driving for the safety of the users. The concept car developments however give a good idea of where the industry is headed in the future.

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