Find a parking space easily with Here, if you drive an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes

By Lulu Chang Published September 27, 2016

If you’re driving an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, you already spent enough money on your car. So stop wasting money looking for a parking spot.

Thanks to their recent acquisition of digital map service Here, these three luxury car brands will be sharing real-time information regarding parking availability and roadworks, as well as gathering data on traffic conditions and road signs. This information will then be used to help drivers along their merry way, and all information will be integrated directly into the car. That means no more checking your phone as you attempt to navigate crowded parking lots or busy streets.

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The new feature from Here is slated to begin rolling out in 2017 and will include a veritable treasure trove of information for drivers, including vehicle speed, location and direction, sharp braking, and fog light activation, the BBC reports. And while Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are the first three carmakers to incorporate Here’s Open Location Platform, it seems that other companies will soon join the club.

While other services exist to provide similar information, the vast majority require users to access a smartphone app, which can be dangerous — and in some places, illegal. But the Here feature will require absolutely nothing from users other than to be a vigilant driver — which ostensibly, they are already doing.

Not only will car owners be able to find available parking spaces, but they will also be able to check out other details about their destination — even payment options for where they will be leaving their car. “Here believes that industry collaboration is essential to address the major challenges faced by road users everywhere,” said CEO Edzard Overbeek in a statement announcing the new partnerships. “What we are seeing today is the technology and automotive industries coming together to create services that will elevate the driving experience for billions.”

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Cars

You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit

amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Android

Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon

The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Cars

Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring

911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.