The growing appreciation of classic models is seen as evidence that modern cars are losing their identity due to safety and emission regulations. Previously, this appreciation began around age 25, but with the transition to electrification in the last ten years, vehicles only 15 or 20 years old are already considered potential classics, which is confirmed by auctions in Brazil and abroad.
During this same period, the manufacturers themselves began investing in departments dedicated to classics. Initially, it was the brands known for their track and road cars, such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes, driven by the high appreciation of their vehicles. Subsequently, high-volume manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Nissan, and Toyota, also created their own classic programs. In Brazil, two automakers have distinct initiatives for vintage car enthusiasts.
Almost all manufacturer classic departments maintain vast archives of documents from all eras, such as manuals, catalogs, and technical notebooks produced by the company itself, in addition to providing specialized labor and parts identical to the originals. Although these items can be obtained through other means, the manufacturers offer something exclusive: the vehicle's authenticity certification.
This certification is crucial because when an old car becomes a financial asset, fictitious narratives about its provenance often arise. Certificates issued by clubs may not be reliable, as exemplified by originality certificates made only for commercial purposes in Brazil, highlighting the importance of official factory validation.
One of the most notable official restoration centers is Ferrari Classiche. Opened by Luca di Montezemolo in July 2006 in the former Ferrari foundry, this 950 m² space houses offices, archives, documentation, and workshops. Due to the high value of classic Ferraris, dating back to the late 1970s and still used in historic races, the main services of Ferrari Classiche include maintenance and authenticity certification, in addition to restoration, especially for damaged cars.
It is rare for a special Ferrari to suffer a total loss, which usually occurs in cases of severe fires. Older models, such as the F40 and F50, that appear damaged in videos, are sent to Ferrari Classiche to be restored to their original condition. Both damaged cars and those requiring only restoration use parts manufactured according to the technical specifications of the time, often employing industrial or manufacturing processes used during the vehicle's construction. The process begins with an evaluation by the Ferrari Classiche team to distinguish original from non-original parts, allowing the owner to decide whether to return to the original standard.
The Certificate of Authenticity is issued for street cars over 20 years old or race cars of any period. An official Ferrari certificate can increase the car's value by millions of dollars and qualifies it for official Ferrari events globally. The process involves a meticulous inspection carried out by a committee of experts called COCER, chaired by Piero Ferrari, which evaluates the chassis, engine, gearbox, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, bodywork, and interior.
To receive certification, the vehicle must meet one of the basic criteria: having participated in national or international competitions in the evaluated configuration, or possessing a configuration resulting from modifications made by renowned design studios or coachbuilders up to ten years after manufacture, in addition to having participated in some Concours d’Elegance or Auto Show. Recent certification examples include the 1952 Ferrari 225S Vignale Spyder, chassis 0180ET, in Brazil, and the Ferrari F50 from the Carde Museum.
The oldest classic division is Mercedes-Benz Classic Service and Parts, an evolution of a historical division created by Daimler-Benz AG in 1936. The initial goal was to preserve at least one example of each model, many of which are historical landmarks, such as the Patent Motorwagen or the Blitzen Benz. Over time, Mercedes transformed this division into the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Classic Service and Parts.
Classic Service and Parts performs repairs on classics and supplies parts for historical models, allowing the purchase of original parts from any era. Decades of care for the historical collection have generated an extensive technical archive used today for restorations and repairs. Mercedes' Classic Service also offers
Alphabet is facing increasing investor pressure as it approaches the release of its second-quarter results. This pressure is compounded by the postponement of a strategic artificial intelligence (AI) model launch, adding to concerns about the return on large investments made in data center infrastructure.
This scenario contrasts with the optimism of previous months, when the company exceeded expectations thanks to the solid performance of its cloud computing unit. Google's parent company will present its second-quarter financial figures on Wednesday, the 22nd. One of the market's biggest points of interest is the delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro, which was set to be the company's next major AI model.
Originally scheduled for June, this model aimed to strengthen Alphabet's position in the agentic AI applications and AI-powered programming tools market. However, the company managed to alleviate some of this apprehension on Tuesday, the 21st, by releasing other updates for Gemini.
The delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro occurs at a time of intensifying competition, as Chinese open models are gaining ground against major US-based laboratories in the race for clients. Additionally, there are growing fears about the high costs inherent in AI development, raising suspicions that large technology corporations may be investing in capacity exceeding future demand.
Dave Wagner, portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, commented to Reuters that while Google might be falling behind in AI programming—which he considers a real and growing concern—Google's strategy is entirely focused on its ecosystem.
In April, Alphabet revised upward its capital investment projections for 2026, estimating expenses between US$ 180 billion and US$ 190 billion. Concurrently, the company announced plans to raise about US$ 85 billion through stock offerings, including an investment from Berkshire Hathaway.
Since the end of April, Alphabet's shares have fallen by approximately 9%, a period during which the company had achieved 63% growth in sales of its cloud division. Due to this performance, the stocks lagged behind other companies in the group known as 'The Magnificent Seven.'
In addition to financial pressure and recent stock movements, the company has also lost important talent to competitors. Among these professionals are Noam Shazeer, co-lead of the Gemini project, and John Jumper, a Nobel laureate and considered a key executive at Google DeepMind.
Despite these obstacles, analysts point out that Alphabet's main competitive advantage in the AI race lies in its vast consumer-facing distribution network, combined with its AI models, cloud computing infrastructure, and proprietary chips.
Looking at the full year of 2026, the company's shares still show an appreciation close to 13%, positioning Alphabet as the second best-performing company among the members of 'The Magnificent Seven.'
For the second quarter, analysts predict only a modest slowdown in revenue growth compared to the first three months of 2026, keeping the cloud division as the main driver of results.
According to data compiled by LSEG, Alphabet is expected to generate US$ 116.9 billion (R$ 594.7 billion) between April and June, representing a 21.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The forecast also indicates that cloud computing division sales should maintain an expansion rate of 64%, while advertising revenue growth should be more contained, at 13.7%.
The strong performance of the cloud sector has been driven by the expansion of contracts related to Google's custom AI chips, including multi-million dollar deals closed with Meta and Anthropic.
If the need is to replace a home or office printer, this is an opportune time to do research. Three multi-function models available on sale on Amazon have been gathered, all offering color printing, copying and scanning functionalities, in addition to attractive prices.
The Epson EcoTank L3250 stands out among those who print frequently and seek ink savings. Its reservoir system eliminates conventional cartridges, resulting in a considerable reduction in cost per page. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless printing, operates on home networks, and is dual voltage, eliminating voltage concerns.
For light home use, the HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2975 Color Multi-function Printer presents itself as a compact and affordable alternative. It can print, copy, and scan with quality adequate for daily life, and HP's Ink Advantage system is designed to produce more pages per cartridge, making it a practical solution for those who prefer simplicity.
Another option is the HP Smart Tank 589 Multi-function Printer, which uses the ink tank system aiming for high long-term savings. With Wi-Fi and USB support, it adapts well to both home offices and work environments with higher demand. In addition to printing in good quality color, it facilitates document copying and scanning.
It is important to note that electronics promotions on Amazon are dynamic; stocks can run out quickly and prices are subject to change at any time. If any of these models have sparked interest, it is recommended to access the store immediately to secure the purchase before the offer ends.
Apple is about to introduce a new device subscription system called Apple Upgrade in the United States. This novelty is set to be offered to consumers starting July 28, aiming to stimulate sales amid rising prices on certain items.
This service will allow customers to pay monthly installments for devices and, at the end of the lease period, have the option to keep the device, pay it off, or trade it in. Klarna has been designated as the financial partner responsible for the entire operation.
According to Bloomberg News, Apple Upgrade emerges as an alternative for customers who prefer to spread the cost of their gadgets rather than making a traditional purchase. The program will operate under a subscription format and will be available both in the company's physical stores and through its online platform.
The functionality of the new service will support most models of iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The strategy aims to cater to users who wish to update their equipment more frequently without having to pay the full price of a new product immediately.
This launch occurs at a time of price adjustments in the Apple line, as the company has raised the prices of products such as iPads and MacBooks. This increase is attributed to the escalation in component costs like memory and storage chips, driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
With Apple Upgrade, the consumer gains the flexibility to prepay for the device, replace it with a different model before the contract ends, or continue using the equipment after the rental period expires. To focus on this new offering, Apple plans to suspend new registrations in its current payment schemes for iPhone, including the iPhone Upgrade Program and other financing methods.
Among the core benefits of Apple Upgrade are: lower monthly payments compared to conventional financing options; the possibility of trading in devices before the contract expires; compatibility with various Apple range products; and availability of contracting both in physical stores and on the company's website.
Although the program covers a wide range of devices, there are certain exclusions. Bloomberg reported that models such as Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16, and MacBook Neo will not be part of this modality. An important distinction from the current iPhone Upgrade Program is that the new service will not include AppleCare, which is the support and protection plan provided by the company itself.
Additionally, the initiative will be directed exclusively to individual consumers, prohibiting participation from purchases made by educational institutions or companies.
By implementing Apple Upgrade, the company seeks to align its products with a subscription model already established in other technology sectors. This transition may simplify device replacement for those who prioritize smaller payments and more frequent updates. More than just a new financing avenue, the program signals the company's intention to change the dynamic between consumers and their devices, converting equipment purchase into a continuous service.
