good morning and welcome downshiftor TDS for short, driveNews roundup that brings together the biggest automotive headlines from around the world.
downshift Summarizes the stories in a few sentences and provides a link for those seeking more information. Happy First Day of July! Here’s what’s happening this Wednesday morning.
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🤝 Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the automaker’s partnership with Nissan is “far from over, some aspects are close to being announced.” Following the failed merger of 2024/2025, the two companies, along with Mitsubishi, have sought to cooperate in a more limited capacity and standardize electronic control units between them. If the deal Mibe is referring to is formally completed, the first vehicles using these shared components will reportedly hit the market by 2029. (nikki)
📈 Hyundai and Kia had very strong Junes in the US, with Hyundai up 74% and Kia up 187% due to a surge in hybrid sales. (automotive news)
🌍 Speaking about Volkswagen’s impending layoffs, BYD’s advisor for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, told the media that, “This is the first real warning for the European industry.” BYD is currently considering setting up a second manufacturing site on the continent, following the one in Hungary. (automotive news)
🚙 Ford is recalling 36,046 Bronco Raptors for loose fender flares that can detach while driving. (autoblog)
🙅 BMW’s Sylvia Neubauer believes enthusiasts should sample the upcoming electric M3 before turning it down, saying, “Haters I can’t really understand because to evaluate something, you must first experience it and then decide whether you like it. Experience the car, and after that they can decide whether they like it or not, and if they don’t like it, they can still be combustion-engined.” Can go for cars with. (BMW Blog)
😈 The Dodge Charger doesn’t have a V8 yet, but it is getting a new color called Purple Haze, which looks a bit like Indigo. (Stellantis)
🐂 Lamborghini has unveiled its most unique Urus yet, the Urus SE Performante, which packs a modest output bump to 800 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque with Temerario’s 6D Drive Computer for improved dynamics. (autocar)
🍀 A young, boutique company called SGT Automobili has announced the 5S-SGT, which looks like the old 155 V6 Ti DTM Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio with weight savings, a stronger chassis, and power up to 740 horsepower. (autocar)
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