Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.
The Downshift is The Drive’s weekday early morning quick-hit news rundown featuring the latest automotive stories bubbling from around the globe. Grab a cup of coffee and Pop-Tart.
Feedback regarding TDS is appreciated and welcomed via the comments section and email (tips@thedrive.com).
Light, tight, and right, TDS is a not a full-featured story or in-depth reporting. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link to go deeper for those seeking more information.
The first cup of coffee is gone here, so let’s get into it.
? What I’m driving: The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS remains in my driveway and my son is in love with this car’s red interior.
? Tesla sales in Norway bucked the rest of the world with 24% growth during the first half of the year despite what’s become known as “Tesla Shame” due to Musk’s right-wing political meddling and growing threats from competitors.
? The buildout of the U.S. electric-car charging infrastructure is set to surge forward into the future despite a looming EV sales slump.
? A hybrid-powered Hyundai Tucson N with about 300 horsepower is reportedly coming to compete with the upcoming Toyota RAV4 GR plug-in hybrid.
⛓️? JLR recalled 121,509 Range Rover and Range Rover Sports in the U.S. ranging from 2014 to 2017 model years due to potential cracks in the front suspension upper knuckle joints.
✨ Rivian’s first one-of-one one-off vehicle, debuting at Pebble Beach this week, will not be its last and opens a new era for the automaker’s Studio Original program.
?️ Genesis Magma Racing is in the final stages of prep to begin track testing the GMR-001 Hypercar.
Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com
As Director of Content and Product, Joel draws on over 15 years of newsroom experience and inability to actually stop working to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media.
