8-Man football championship: Fairview walls up, defeats Belt for back-to-back titlesArkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level MediaMumbai: For the first time, private sector banks as a group met priority sector lending targets, including sub-targets for major heads in 2023-24, particularly in agriculture, according to central bank data. Although all bank groups managed to achieve their stipulated overall targets and sub-targets, private sector banks did better than their public sector peers. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for For the public sector, private and foreign banks, the target is 40% of adjusted net bank credit or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposure, whichever is higher. For small finance banks, the target is higher at 75%. One of the reasons for the private sector banks to achieve their priority sector target is that they are now allowed to invest in priority sector lending certificates (PSLCs). These are issued against banks' priority sector loans under various sub-targets and general categories. Banks use PSLCs to guard against shortfalls. The total trading volume of PSLCs climbed 26% in FY24, primarily led by PSLC-General. Among the four PSLC categories, the small and marginal farmers category registered the highest trading volume, partly reflecting specialisation by a few banks in lending to this category of borrowers and the inability of other banks to meet sub-targets through direct lending, the RBI said in its report on Trends and Progress of Banking. 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In FY24, they accounted for 49% of total sales as compared with 21% in the case of public sector banks , the RBI said. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
The all-electric 2025 Lucid Air Pure is a dreamy, sexy car that’s no less luxurious for being the cheapest trim in Lucid’s Air lineup. I felt fancy and discerning driving around, but in an understated way – as if I were wearing designer sweatpants. But does fancy equal value? I spent about 10 days driving the Air Pure on two different coasts to find out. And the tl;dr is: Yes, but only if those over-the-air updates keep coming through. The Air Pure is a technological dreamboat in many invisible “under the hood” ways — like its ultra efficient electric motor. And its roomy, air-tight interior coupled with a high-end sound system simply puts you in a good mood. It’s the kind of car you want to spend time in, particularly if Lucid keeps working to iterate on its tech capabilities. The car’s many high-tech features justify that not-quite-afforable $69,900 price tag. However, I found there was still room for improvement, particularly in Lucid’s voice assistant and DreamDrive advanced driver assistance system. The good news is that even these feature have seen significant progress from earlier iterations . Nuts and bolts With an estimated 420 miles of range and a single rear-mounted motor with 430 horsepower, the Lucid Air Pure is a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model S , which has a 402-mile range in the all-wheel drive version and starts at $79,990. During one of my test drives, I comfortably traveled from San Francisco to Salinas and back, with extra city driving, all without needing to recharge. Lucid provided TechCrunch with the Air Pure on both occasions. For quick top-ups, the Air Pure supports fast charging, adding 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes at stations owned by ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America. Starting in 2025, Lucid owners will also gain access to Tesla’s network, though this will require an adapter. While Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV will feature Tesla’s NACS port from day one, the automaker hasn’t yet said whether future Air models will follow suit. Sitting low on 19-inch wheels, the Air Pure is as aerodynamic as it looks with an impressive drag coefficient of 0.197. When you approach the car, the electric motor and infotainment system automatically turn on and the flush door handles pop out. The front and back bar lights also illuminate in a fluid motion that extends outwards like rippling water, which sets the tone for the high tech, yet understated vibe. The Lucid signature lighting is instantly recognizable, and the whole design comes together in a sleek, sophisticated “California New Money” way. Expansive and tech-focused Sitting down in a Lucid Air Pure is a sensory experience. You feel like you can breathe in the driver’s seat with 40 inches of headroom and 45.4 inches of leg room, and I found myself running my hands over the array of fabrics and textiles used on the interior. Even the oval-shaped steering wheel with its ergonomic grip feels nice in the palms. The Air Pure has an ambient level of noise like a soft electrical humming that’s meant to simulate the sound of an engine, lending to its futuristic, spaceship vibes. The 34-inch curved glass cockpit floats just behind the steering wheel with three distinct zones of control. On the left, a touchscreen manages quick-access functions like the charge port and windshield defroster. The center display shows critical driving information – speed, gear, range, and DreamDrive visualizations. On the right, you’ll find connectivity and entertainment options, including Apple CarPlay integration, native navigation, media, and communication. Below this, the 12.5-inch Pilot Panel sits above the center console. This vertical screen, which can be tucked away for extra storage, handles climate controls, parking, and driver settings. It also automatically displays a 360-degree camera view when navigating tight spaces. Adjustments like the rear and sideview mirrors are only accessible through the so-called Pilot Panel, which some might loathe. I didn’t mind, as it’s a one-time setup. Another standout is the ability to adjust lumbar support and, for an extra $7,500, upgrade to get a massager and ventilated seats — a luxury I’d absolutely splurge on. I appreciated Lucid’s decision to keep some physical controls. Above the Pilot Panel are tactile knobs for adjusting the temperature and volume. The steering wheel also features physical buttons to launch the advanced driver assistance system, change a song, and activate the voice assistant. The center console features two plugs for USB-C and Lightning cables, and a sliding cover to keep items secure. The backseat was also generous with 39 inches of headroom and 37.6 inches of legroom, something friends and family who were seated in the back commented on. Backseat passengers also have their own little touchscreen where they can control things like seat heating, air temperature, and summon or banish the sunshade. While we’re on the subject of space, the trunk offers 22.1 cubic feet of storage, and the frunk has 10 cubic-feet of space. All in all, Lucid passed the Costco run test. The Lucid Assistant – swing and a miss Lucid originally launched its Pure series with Amazon’s Alexa powering voice assist, and it wasn’t very good. Within the last couple of months, Lucid has started rolling out a replacement — a white-labeled version that appears to be from SoundHound AI . Lucid wouldn’t confirm. The Lucid Assistant isn’t very good either. But really, is there a car voice assistant that doesn’t sometimes make you want to scream? The Lucid Assistant can handle commands and answer questions about very specific car things. You could ask it for the weather, get directions to the nearest charging station, and command it to turn up the seat heating. When it comes to music commands, those were limited. The Assistant could, say, turn on Spotify and even play certain songs, but it often didn’t recognize what I asked for. I also couldn’t get it to play a type of music. For example, in a moment of panicked indecision, I asked it to play Top 40. Suddenly Sublime’s “40 oz. to Freedom” was playing through the speakers. I’m not complaining, but it wasn’t what I asked for. And while we’re on the subject of music, while the Dolby Atmos sound system somehow struck the perfect balance of bass, treble, and mid, the connectivity to music streaming services like Spotify was often spotty. The connection dropped several times, leaving me to fumble with the pre-programmed Sirius XM options. Native GPS and the Lucid app A few words on Lucid’s native navigation system with custom routing. When compared to Waze or Apple Maps, it didn’t always seem to account for traffic, with ETA differentials sometimes as large as 20 minutes. My eyes took some getting used to how Lucid’s native system manifested, too. Lucid displays the immediate directions on the curved cockpit, with a larger map below on the Panel pilot, and I found my eyes jumping between the two screens. The Lucid app was perfectly fine. It worked as it should to open the trunk, unlock the car, open the charge ports, flash the lights, and see nearby chargers. It’s not as advanced as Tesla’s app, but I expect it will continue to improve. Mature handling The Lucid Air Pure is low to the ground (and you really feel it when getting in and out), giving it a centered grippy feel as it takes on turns. The acceleration is firm, although you don’t get the same zippy boost as you might in a Tesla or the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Still, the car is no slouch with a 0-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.5 seconds. The suspension is also great – I barely felt any bumps in the road. The Air Pure has three drive modes accessible via the Pilot Panel: Smooth, Swift, and Sprint. Smooth is relaxed for everyday driving. Swift gives it a bit more oomph for when you’re keen to have a little fun or are in a rush on the highway, and Sprint is designed for “advanced drivers” with “maximum power and torque for short bursts of intense performance.” I didn’t notice too much of a difference between the modes. For those who also want more control over regenerative braking, you can adjust those in your driver settings, including turning on creep mode, which allows you to move without applying the accelerator. So many cameras and sensors The model year 2025 Lucid Air Pure comes standard with 24 sensors, including six cameras, infrared, ultrasonic, and radar that are used to power Lucid’s brand of ADAS called DreamDrive Premium. This includes features like 3D surround view monitoring and blind spot display, lane departure warnings, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system for distracted and drowsy driving. For an additional one-time fee of $2,500, Lucid buyers can upgrade to the DreamDrive Pro, which ups the number of sensors to 32 — including solid-state lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and a whopping 13 cameras — and has a highway assist feature that combines lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The benefit in purchasing this feature and its accompanying hardware isn’t what it can do now, but the promise of what it can do in the future. This is all to say that while Lucid’s DreamDrive still has a ways to go, if you buy the Pro ADAS, you’ll have all the necessary hardware for Lucid to add more automated driving capabilities via over-the-air updates in the future. I found the visuals like the 3D surround view monitoring, front and rearview visuals, and blind spot detection helpful, if not a little overwhelming, when maneuvering tight spaces or switching lanes. I found the Highway Assist the most useful, particularly in stop-and-go traffic on California’s highways. The feature basically steers for you, as long as you stay within the same lane and at a pre-set speed and follow distance. You can initiate lane-change assist on the highway by long-pressing the turn signal. Deactivating Highway Assist was also simple and smooth. Just press the brake pedal, and you’re good – no weird jerking or clunky transitions, which has been an issue in older software versions. Lucid vehicles equipped with the standard DreamDrive or the Pro provide drowsy and distracted driver warnings, which only worked sometimes for me. The Air Pure monitors the driver via an infrared sensor mounted at the top of the steering column that gets the shape of your face and can tell if you aren’t facing front. But it doesn’t watch your eyes, like other driver monitoring systems. Which I suppose is good for privacy and surveillance reasons, but bad for actually monitoring if someone has fallen asleep at the wheel. I tested fate a few times while the car was in the highway assist mode, even closing my eyes for 30 full seconds. I also pretended to nod my head like I was falling asleep, looked down at my phone, and straight up stared out the window. Eventually, the car did hit me with an aggressive, repetitive alert saying it had detected unsafe driving, told me to take a break, and offered suggestions for nearby coffee shops. But those warnings came a couple of minutes after my experiments. Finally, the Auto Park feature, which will scan the area for nearby places to park. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it completely failed to see available parking spaces. I could never get it to parallel park for me, but it did manage to park in a lot by backing up into the space. The feature promises to Auto Unpark for you, as well, but after checking to the left and to the right, my Lucid couldn’t quite get the hang of it. An almost perfect EV I really did love the Lucid, and if TechCrunch would only pay me double my salary, I could see me and this car being very happy together. Particularly if Lucid continues to iterate on the tech and make improvements, as it has already done over the last three years.AP News Summary at 8:02 p.m. EST
Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors . “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti . Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
- All-new compact sedan sets new standards for design, technology and roominess - K4 follows in the footsteps of Kia's NACTOY-winning EV9, EV6 and Telluride LOS ANGELES , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Advancing Kia's commitment to deliver sporty sedans with premium features, advanced technology and elevated performance, the all-new Kia K4 has been named one of three finalists for the 2025 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) AwardsTM. 1 Announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, this news follows back-to-back NACTOY wins over the past two years for the all-electric Kia EV6 and EV9 utility vehicles, respectively. And five years ago, the brand's popular Telluride SUV earned the same recognition as a NACTOY finalist before going on to win the prestigious award. NACTOY jurors vote on finalists after spending months driving dozens of new vehicles throughout the year. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially new. The NACTOY awards will take place on January 10, 2025 at the Detroit Auto Show with winners in the Car, Truck and Utility categories. The K4 compact sedan delivers segment-above technology including up to 29 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), 2 a high level of refinement, and class-leading rear head room and leg room. 3 The available turbocharged engine and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line model yield an engaging and spirited behind-the-wheel experience. Exceeding expectations for connectivity and technology in its segment, the K4 brings standard wireless Apple CarPlay 4 and Android Auto 5 and an available multi-segment display cockpit with a combined nearly 30-inches of digital instrumentation. 6 Available amenities such as Digital Key 2.0, 7 Harman Kardon premium audio, 8 and a wide sunroof help define the K4's premium character. The K4 is available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo. Kia America – about us Headquartered in Irvine, California , Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com . To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert . *Certain 2025 EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV/PHEV), Sorento (excludes HEV/PHEV), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. 1 North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) AwardsTM is a trademark of North American Car and Truck of the Year Corporation. 2 Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution. 3 Class-leading 2nd-row legroom and 2 nd -row headroom: Comparison based on publicly available data regarding 2nd-row legroom and 2 nd -row headroom in 2024/2025 compact sedans as of November 2024 . Compact sedan class as defined by Kia segmentation. 4 Apple® and Apple CarPlay® are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple CarPlay® runs on your smartphone cellular data service. Normal data rates will apply. 5 Vehicle user interface is a product of Google and its terms and privacy statements apply. Requires the Android Auto app on Google Play store and an Android compatible smartphone running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher. Data plan rates apply. Android, Android Auto, and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC or its affiliates. 6 Comprised of a 12.3" instrument display, 5" climate display, and 12.3" touchscreen infotainment display. Distracted driving can result in the loss of vehicle control. When operating a vehicle, never use a vehicle system that takes your focus away from safe vehicle operation. 7 Kia Digital Key requires an eligible Kia Connect subscription and a compatible smart device with an active data plan. Normal cellular service rates may apply when using a smart device. 8 Harman Kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-k4-sedan-named-finalist-for-2025-north-american-car-of-the-year-nactoy-302313588.html SOURCE Kia AmericaCorey puts up 27 and South Alabama knocks off East Texas A&M 81-72KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: In a major step towards implementing the roadmap for the country’s comprehensive digital transformation project, the State Audit Bureau (SAB) approved the request of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) to sign a lease contract with Google Cloud for establishing three major data centers in different locations in Kuwait, with total revenues of up to KD 12.6 million over the next 20 years. According to informed sources, the approval followed a thorough review of CITRA’s request, which outlined the annual revenues from the three sites — Sulaibiya Agricultural Area, Jaber Al-Ahmad Residential City, and South Al-Mutlaa Residential City. These sites, each spanning 30,000 square meters, are expected to generate annual revenues of KD 210,000 from each center. The sources said, “This step will significantly boost CITRA’s revenues over the 20-year contract, totaling KD 12.6 million. The contract, which is set to be signed soon between CITRA and Google, is based on Cabinet’s resolution No. 1274/2023 that granted CITRA the authority to conclude and sign contracts for private state real estate properties related to facilities, land, and uses allocated to the authority.” They affirmed that SAB approved the contract with Google Cloud Services, under the condition that CITRA coordinates with the relevant ministries to ensure the lands are delivered free of obstacles before finalizing the agreements, and SAB has set a maximum approval period of 90 days. The sources highlighted that this project represents a strategic move to strengthen cloud infrastructure in Kuwait and reflects the collaboration between the government and international companies to enhance digital transformation, in line with the state’s vision for digitalization. By Mohammed Al-Enezi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Eastman Chemical CEO Mark Costa sells $1.9 million in stockEditorial: Still waters run deep
- All-new compact sedan sets new standards for design, technology and roominess - K4 follows in the footsteps of Kia's NACTOY-winning EV9, EV6 and Telluride LOS ANGELES , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Advancing Kia's commitment to deliver sporty sedans with premium features, advanced technology and elevated performance, the all-new Kia K4 has been named one of three finalists for the 2025 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) AwardsTM. 1 Announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, this news follows back-to-back NACTOY wins over the past two years for the all-electric Kia EV6 and EV9 utility vehicles, respectively. And five years ago, the brand's popular Telluride SUV earned the same recognition as a NACTOY finalist before going on to win the prestigious award. NACTOY jurors vote on finalists after spending months driving dozens of new vehicles throughout the year. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially new. The NACTOY awards will take place on January 10, 2025 at the Detroit Auto Show with winners in the Car, Truck and Utility categories. The K4 compact sedan delivers segment-above technology including up to 29 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), 2 a high level of refinement, and class-leading rear head room and leg room. 3 The available turbocharged engine and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line model yield an engaging and spirited behind-the-wheel experience. Exceeding expectations for connectivity and technology in its segment, the K4 brings standard wireless Apple CarPlay 4 and Android Auto 5 and an available multi-segment display cockpit with a combined nearly 30-inches of digital instrumentation. 6 Available amenities such as Digital Key 2.0, 7 Harman Kardon premium audio, 8 and a wide sunroof help define the K4's premium character. The K4 is available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo. Kia America – about us Headquartered in Irvine, California , Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com . To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert . *Certain 2025 EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV/PHEV), Sorento (excludes HEV/PHEV), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. 1 North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) AwardsTM is a trademark of North American Car and Truck of the Year Corporation. 2 Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution. 3 Class-leading 2nd-row legroom and 2 nd -row headroom: Comparison based on publicly available data regarding 2nd-row legroom and 2 nd -row headroom in 2024/2025 compact sedans as of November 2024 . Compact sedan class as defined by Kia segmentation. 4 Apple® and Apple CarPlay® are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple CarPlay® runs on your smartphone cellular data service. Normal data rates will apply. 5 Vehicle user interface is a product of Google and its terms and privacy statements apply. Requires the Android Auto app on Google Play store and an Android compatible smartphone running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher. Data plan rates apply. Android, Android Auto, and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC or its affiliates. 6 Comprised of a 12.3" instrument display, 5" climate display, and 12.3" touchscreen infotainment display. Distracted driving can result in the loss of vehicle control. When operating a vehicle, never use a vehicle system that takes your focus away from safe vehicle operation. 7 Kia Digital Key requires an eligible Kia Connect subscription and a compatible smart device with an active data plan. Normal cellular service rates may apply when using a smart device. 8 Harman Kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-k4-sedan-named-finalist-for-2025-north-american-car-of-the-year-nactoy-302313588.html SOURCE Kia America
( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Phone Tripod Global market Report 2024 - Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033 The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-for a limited time only! LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, December 16, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- Take advantage of The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-limited time only! The phone tripod market size has grown rapidly in recent years, and this expansion is set to continue. From a market worth $3.05 billion in 2023, the phone tripod industry will grow to $3.35 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 10%. This marked growth can be attributed to an increasing demand for high-quality visual content, the surging trend of remote work and online communication, an expansive use of the internet, broadening e-commerce channels, and the rising popularity of content creation across platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Are We Looking at a Surge in the Phone Tripod Market Size? Indeed, the exponential growth in the phone tripod market is expected to surge in the coming years. Current projections have placed the market's value at $4.94 billion in 2028, with a CAGR of 10.2%. This foreseeable upswing can be attributed to robust smartphone sales, expanding internet access, an increasing number of travelers and food bloggers, and a rise in the requirement for capturing video in professional 4K quality. Propelling this market expansion are major trends including technological advancements, new product launches of phone tripods, versatile tripods with multifunctional features such as integrated lights and AI-driven stabilization, and designs emphasising portability for on-the-go users. Additionally, the introduction of more pocketable and compact versions of phone tripods also contributes to this growth. For the comprehensive report: What's Driving the Demand for Phone Tripods? The catalyst propelling the growth of the phone tripod market is the booming demand for smartphones. These handheld devices, blending the functionalities of a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities, are growing at breakneck speed. This surge can be attributed to an increased internet penetration, affordability and diverse pricing, changing consumer behavior, and fashion and social influence. Enhancing the appeal of these smartphones for photography and videography are phone tripods, attracting content creators. A testament to this growth, the UK-based B2B platform Business of Apps reported a 3.9% growth compared to 2022 with a total of 148.2 billion apps and games downloaded in 2023. Key Players Steering the Phone Tripod Market Major companies operating in the phone tripod market include Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Canon Inc., Nikon Corporation, Vanguard World LLC, Manfrotto Ltd., Targus Corporation, Peak Design LLC, and others. These market stalwarts are innovating new products to keep in step with latest technology and trends. What Trends Define the Phone Tripod Market Innovation? Developing smart modular solutions, such as AI-powered smartphone tripods, are setting the trend to attract tech-savvy users, enhance product differentiation, and drive growth in this competitive market. The AI-powered smartphone tripod offers advanced face-tracking and 360° rotation without needing apps, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. It enables enhanced video and photo capture with automated precision. For instance, Hohem Technology, a China-based camera equipment manufacturer, launched an advanced AI-powered 360° smartphone tripod in July 2022, which operates without apps, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, appreciably enhancing user experience. How is the Phone Tripod Market Organized? The phone tripod market is segmented according to: 1 Type: Traditional, Tabletop, Flexible 2 Connectivity: Wireless, Wired 3 Size: Up to 10 Inches, 11-20 Inches, 21-30 Inches, Above 30 Inches 4 Sales Channel: Specialty Stores, Online Retailers, Department Stores, Supermarkets Or Hypermarkets, Other Sales Channels What Does the Regional Landscape Look Like? North America emerged as the largest regional market for phone tripods in 2023. Asia-Pacific, however, is expected to see the fastest growth in the coming period. The phone tripod market report covers Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. For a comprehensive overview, visit the sample report: Browse Through More Similar Reports By The Business Research Company: Wireless Earphones Global Market Report 2024 Smartphone Processor Global Market Report 2024 Smart Headphones Global Market Report 2024 About The Business Research Company Learn More About The Business Research Company. With over 15000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Armed with 1,500,000 datasets, the optimistic contribution of in-depth secondary research, and unique insights from industry leaders, you can get the information you need to stay ahead in the game. Inquire with us at: The Business Research Company: Americas +1 3156230293 Asia +44 2071930708 Europe +44 2071930708 Email us at ... 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