Ford Trucks Has Finally Received Their Aluminum Supply After a 9-Month Shortage: TDS

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      Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news summary bringing you the most prominent automotive headlines from around the world.

      The Downshift updates you with quick summaries of stories, including links for those who wish to explore the news further. Here’s your bulletin for Thursday, June 11, 2026.

      🏭 The Novelis aluminum plant located in upstate New York, which supplies various automakers—especially Ford for the F-150 and Super Duty—has restarted production this week after being halted last fall and through the first half of 2026 due to several fires. The shortage of aluminum for the full-size pickup, which uses it in its construction, has limited supply and forced Ford (and others) to import the metal at higher costs due to new tariffs and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. [Wall Street Journal]

      🚚 The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement with Dauch, a manufacturer of axles for General Motors trucks, following a 10-day strike. GM reports that the work stoppage did not ultimately affect vehicle production. [Automotive News]

      👟 Nissan is recalling over 50,000 Kicks SUVs from the 2025 and 2026 model years due to digital instrument clusters that may fail to operate upon startup. The automaker states that a service appointment will be necessary to address the issue. [Motor1]

      🧑‍⚖️ Uber is suing New York City in response to a new law that will come into effect on July 28, which would “generally prevent” ride-sharing companies from “terminating drivers without a ‘bona fide economic reason’ or ‘just cause.'” [Reuters]

      Ⓜ️ Toyota is advancing its potential MR2 revival on the track with its Concept M: a GR Yaris powered by the automaker’s new G20E four-cylinder engine, still under development, which produces approximately 500 horsepower and is positioned behind the driver. Although the Concept M is rear-wheel drive, GR representatives have suggested that the production model it leads to will likely feature all-wheel drive. [Auto Express]

      🔋 Stellantis has integrated Factorial’s solid-state battery pack into a Dodge Charger Daytona development vehicle, which is currently undergoing road testing. The automaker claims this is the first application of its kind in North America. [Stellantis]

      🏎️ The U.K. Supreme Court will permit Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, and Formula One Management to challenge a ruling that allows Felipe Massa’s conspiracy claim regarding the denial of his 2008 F1 title to advance to trial. [Racer]

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