
Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.
Concise, information-rich, and free of fluff, TDS compiles the most recent automotive headlines globally, consolidating them all in one place. Each story is condensed into a single sentence, with a link provided for further reading.
I’m in Montana and have already finished two cups of coffee today. Let’s dive in.
🚘 What I’m driving: Left the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium at the airport yesterday but intend to have some fun in the snow today with a different vehicle. We’ll see how it goes.
💸 Stellantis announced its first annual net loss since its inception, facing a $26 billion downturn linked to its EV strategy, which is now being revised; the automaker aims for profitability this year relying on gas-powered vehicles featuring Hemi V8s, turbo-sixes, and hybrids represented by trucks, SUVs, and muscle cars, though a Pacifica refresh is on the way.
🔋 Stellantis is also said to be looking into sourcing affordable EV technology from China for its European brands.
⛽️ Porsche’s upcoming three-row SUV, referred to by the codename K1, was intended to be fully electric but will now feature a gas-powered V6 or V8, arriving as a sportier alternative to the forthcoming Audi Q9.
🚙 Nissan is reportedly planning to follow Toyota’s approach with two distinct versions of the Pathfinder; the existing unibody model is expected to continue alongside a new body-on-frame off-road variant, which will be marketed as a more premium, capable offering compared to the family-focused crossover model.
🔌 The 2027 Volvo EX30 is set to receive some minor updates, including the addition of vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality that will allow for device charging via an adapter connected to the car’s high-voltage battery pack.
⛽️ Allegedly, 96% of NYC gas stations failed inspections from 2023 to 2025 due to incorrect octane ratings displayed on pumps, resulting in numerous issues.
🚕 Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been promoting autonomous Robotaxis for California, but new documents show that the automaker has taken no actionable steps toward securing permits or accumulating miles for testing self-driving cars in the state.
🏷️ A Cadillac Celestiq has appeared for sale priced at $499,950.
Have a news tip or suggestions? Reach out to us at [email protected]