
Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS as we refer to it.
Concise and swift, TDS compiles the latest automotive news from around the world into one convenient place. Each story is distilled into a single sentence with a link for those wanting additional details.
It’s Friday, and as I enjoy my first cup of coffee, let’s dive right in.
🚘 What I’m driving: Heading into the weekend with the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid and I appreciate its high-quality interior materials and overall aesthetics, but the design has some limitations in the cargo space and the second and third rows of seating.
🛻 Tesla has launched a $59,990 dual-motor all-wheel drive Cybertruck, reducing the electric pickup’s price as it seeks to attract buyers; the premium tri-motor Cyberbeast variant also saw a price drop of $15,000, now retailing at $99,990.
🛡️ Jeep has unveiled the Gladiator Whitecap, a heritage-inspired pickup featuring two-tone paint and a design package reminiscent of 1941, available for an additional $495 on select models including the Sahara, Rubicon, and Mojave.
📲 Rivian has rolled out a software update that adds Sport Mode to all R1 models and launch control to first-gen Quads, along with a dedicated app for Apple Watch.
💸 Aston Martin has issued a profit warning for 2025, citing tariffs as the main contributing factor.
📈 Stellantis is targeting a 25% increase in retail sales by 2026, driven by the Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500, the new hybrid Jeep Cherokee, and the traditional gas-powered Dodge Charger.
GM intends to prepare for and navigate the anticipated downturn in new-vehicle sales by maintaining lower inventory levels.
♻️ The EV battery recycling industry is now forecasted to reach approximately $70 billion by 2040.
🏷️ Slate is set to announce final pricing for its electric truck in June, with expectations for the basic model to remain around the mid $20,000 range.
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