Lotus Abandons EV Strategy for a New V8 Supercar: TDS

      Here's a teaser image showing the rear of Lotus's Type 135 supercar, and we have to say it looks quite impressive.

      Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, where you can find the latest news and reviews from the automobile world without the fluff.

      In the past, before the internet, a kid on a bicycle would toss a rolled-up newspaper at your door, and you'd read it over your coffee at the breakfast table, getting ink on your fingers. The modern equivalent may lack the charm, but it’s just as enlightening. Let’s dive in.

      🎱 Lotus has reversed its all-electric strategy, as many others have, and now plans to introduce a hybrid V8 sports car by 2028, tentatively named “Type 135.” The company is also gearing up to enhance the existing gas-powered Emira, making it stronger and lighter than ever. [Autocar]

      🔋 Ford is planning to leverage its surplus battery manufacturing capacity to establish a new venture called Ford Energy, which will provide energy storage systems produced in the U.S. to utilities, data centers, and industrial clients. [Barron’s]

      🖥️ General Motors is set to lay off 500 to 600 employees globally within its IT department as part of a cost-cutting initiative to "better position the company for future challenges." [Bloomberg]

      🚙 Audi will reveal the new Q9, an SUV believed to be tailored for the American market, on July 29. Our own Joel Feder had the opportunity to inspect a prototype, and you can find his insights, particularly regarding the interior, here.

      🚕 Waymo is recalling 3,800 of its robotaxis due to a flaw that may cause the vehicles to choose to navigate onto flooded roads with higher speed limits. [Reuters]

      🏁 As speculation continues regarding Max Verstappen's future, Mark Rushbrook, the director of Ford Performance, has acknowledged that discussions have taken place with the four-time world champion about driving its WEC hypercar in the future. Verstappen has a keen interest in sports car and endurance racing, making this partnership a promising one. [Motorsport.com]

      ⛺ Honda and Acura will begin offering Thule active lifestyle accessories such as roof boxes and bike racks directly through their dealerships. [Autoblog]

      🏭 Tesla is planning to invest $250 million in its battery facility near Berlin to boost production capacity. [Reuters]

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