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Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.
Tight, light, and right as they say in the biz, TDS combs the internet for the latest automotive news from around the globe and gathers it in one place. Stories are recapped in a few sentences accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. We hope you had a great weekend. Here’s your bulletin for Monday, July 13, 2026.
📈 Stellantis’ sales rose 10% globally over the second quarter of 2026 compared to a year earlier, mostly thanks to the North American market. In the region specifically, the automaker actually improved shipments by a staggering 38%, off the back of refreshed Jeep and Ram models, as well as the updated Chrysler Pacifica. Stellantis also admitted production was somewhat elevated to get ahead of factory pauses planned for later in the summer. [Reuters]
🏆 Infiniti’s new QX65 crossover has proven a modest hit for the brand, recording sales of over 1,000 units and beating internal estimates by 25% through its first full month on sale. [Automotive News]
🧑🏭 Ford and Canadian auto labor union Unifor have tentatively agreed to terms of a new three-year contract, pending member ratification. The union said it started negotiating with Ford first, before General Motors and Stellantis, because the company “has been most committed to continuing its operations in Canada,” per the report. [Reuters]
🛣️ A newly released Waze update prioritizes favored routes based on history, adds a new mode specifically for motorcyclists, and more deeply integrates Google Gemini conversational commands into the popular navigation app. [Engadget]
🚙 Jeep has introduced a new Laredo trim on the Wrangler for the 2027 model year, following up on a concept revealed at this year’s Easter Jeep Safari. This Wrangler features 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires, a 1-inch lift, brown Nappa leather upholstery, and Mayan gold accents, and comes in two- and four-door configurations. [Stellantis]
✊ Hyundai factory workers in South Korea are striking for three days, demanding an annual performance bonus specifically tied to the company’s net profit, as well as protections against automation and increased use of AI to replace workers. [Bloomberg]
🏁 Weekend race results:
- NASCAR Crafstman Truck Series at Lime Rock Park: Grant Enfinger won for CR7 Motorsports
- IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Kiko Porto and Varun Choksey won for RAFA Racing
- NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway: Justin Allgaier won for JR Motorsports
- MotoGP German Grand Prix: Marc Marquez won for Ducati
- FIA WEC 6 Hours of Sao Paulo: Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, and Dries Vanthoor won for BMW M Team WRT
- IMSA SportsCar Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Tom Dillmann and Jeremy Clarke won for Inter Europol Competition
- NASCAR Cup Series at EchoPark Speedway: Ryan Blaney won for Team Penske
Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com
Backed by a decade of covering cars and consumer tech, Adam Ismail is a Senior Editor at The Drive, focused on curating and producing the site’s slate of daily stories.
