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Hello and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive‘s morning news roundup that gathers the biggest automotive headlines from around the world.
The Downshift summarizes stories into a few sentences and adds a link for those seeking more detail. We hope you had a great weekend, and here’s your bulletin for Monday, July 27, 2026.
🚙 Honda may bring a lifted, long-roof Accord to the market just before the end of the decade, to corral Subaru Outback buyers. The vehicle, tentatively called “Accord SUV,” would ride on the same platform as the sedan and use a hybrid powertrain. Hopefully, it’ll be less ugly than the Accord Crosstour. [Automotive News]
🔌 Plug-in hybrids from China dominated nearly a third of all PHEVs sold in Europe through the first half of 2026, and Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has said enough is enough, demanding that lawmakers in the bloc impose a tariff on plug-ins from the country to establish “a level playing field.” [Automotive News]
📉 Audi has lowered its guidance to investors on operating margins and revenue, following an ongoing trend all year of European legacy automakers meeting headwinds particularly in China. [Automotive News]
🩷 Ford has introduced the Bronco Desert Rising Edition, the first of what the automaker has dubbed the “Horizon Series” of special packages for its popular SUV. The Desert Rising Edition comes with magenta graphics, trim, and interior upholstery, along with white Method wheels. The package will add $13,695 to the price of a Bronco Outer Banks, for a $63,575 total delivered. [Ford]
🛻 Mercedes-Benz hasn’t offered a G-Class Cabriolet since 2013, but that’s expected to change soon, as new spy shots tease. [Autocar]
🤑 A pair of ex-Volkswagen Group engineers have been charged with insider trading in the U.S., making a combined $300,000 off confidential knowledge that the German automaker was going to announce a joint venture with Rivian before that news was public. [TechCrunch]
⚡ Hyundai has announced a vehicle-to-grid platform called AllDayEnergy that will handle all services related to customers powering their homes with their EVs, or sending extra power to the grid. The initiative is launching globally in the second half of 2026 before rolling out later in the U.S. [Hyundai]
🏁 Weekend race results:
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Indianapolis: Layne Riggs won for Front Row Motorsports
- NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Indianapolis: Carson Kvapil won for JR Motorsports
- Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix: Lando Norris won for McLaren
- NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis: Corey Heim won for 23XI Racing
- NHRA Drag Racing Northwest Nationals Finals: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), JR Todd (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) won in respective classes
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.
