Mercedes Alerts That Tariffs Will Be Even More Severe in 2026: TDS
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Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.
Concise, clear, and on point, TDS collects the latest car news from around the world in one convenient location. Stories are briefly summarized with links for those wanting further details. It’s Monday and spring has officially arrived—let’s get started!
📈 Mercedes has reportedly informed analysts that tariff costs are expected to rise in 2026 compared to last year, according to Automotive News. While the company hasn't disclosed the exact tariff impact for 2025, it did confirm a decrease in adjusted return on sales from 8.1% to 5%, with tariffs being a contributing factor.
⛽ BMW would consider producing an electric vehicle with a gas range extender again if it saw sufficient demand and if the vehicle aligned with the brand's driving characteristics, an executive shared with BMWBlog.
⚡ Kia’s new EV2 compact electric SUV is set to launch in Europe, with a price tag equivalent to $30,800, as reported by Auto News. For that price, it offers a range of 197 miles based on the WLTP cycle.
💎 Even Rolls-Royce faces recalls, as the manufacturer has advised customers against using the back seats in Cullinan SUVs made since 2019 due to loose bolts in the second-row seatbelt retractors, according to Carscoops.
🛻 Mazda seems open to the idea of introducing a pickup truck for the first time in several decades, based on remarks from an executive to Australia’s CarSales, though it is unlikely to be released in the U.S. The model in question would be a rebadged version of a unique unibody electric truck sold in China called the Deepal E07.
💜 German tuning experts Novitec have boosted the Lamborghini Revuelto to 1,048 horsepower and given it a plum paint finish, reminiscent of the Diablo from our younger days, as reported by Autoblog.
🏁 Weekend Race Results:
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring – Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich take the win for Porsche Penske Motorsport
NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington – Tyler Reddick claims victory for 23XI Racing
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Darlington – Justin Allgaier wins for JR Motorsports
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Darlington – Corey Heim takes the win for Tricon Garage
MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix – Marco Bezzecchi secures victory for Aprilia
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Mercedes Alerts That Tariffs Will Be Even More Severe in 2026: TDS
The German luxury brand has not disclosed the exact amount it lost due to tariffs last year, but it has informed analysts that it does not anticipate any improvement in that area for 2026.