The Age of Autonomous Nurburgring Records Has Started, and It's Moving Slowly: TDS
Xiaomi
The latest in car news and reviews, straightforward and to the point.
Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news summary that brings you the most significant automotive headlines from across the globe.
Each entry in The Downshift contains a link for further reading. Here’s your briefing for Monday, June 22, 2026.
🤖 Xiaomi has achieved the inaugural record for a fully autonomous lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with its YU7 GT electric SUV completing the course in 10:29.483. As anticipated with that time, the run isn't particularly quick; the SUV reaches a maximum speed of 130 mph on the back straight, despite having nearly 1,000 horsepower and previously completing a 7-minute, 22-second lap with a human driver. However, as Xiaomi mentioned, this is merely a starting point, and it will be intriguing to see how quickly automakers can bridge the three-minute gap between human and machine, if it's feasible at all. [Electrek]
🏭 Toyota has begun producing RAV4s in Kentucky, adding to its manufacturing efforts in Canada and Japan for its most popular vehicle. [Automotive News]
🛻 In related RAV4 news, the SUV’s chief engineer told an Australian outlet that while Toyota is not currently considering a unibody, RAV4-based pickup truck, the idea is “quite appealing,” and that, “deep in our hearts, we all think, wouldn’t that be fun?” [Drive]
💸 “Porsche needs to be profitable even with a reduced number of cars,” said CEO Michael Leiters in a German newspaper over the weekend, noting that the sports car manufacturer plans to produce fewer than the 280,000 units sold last year. He also indicated a desire to reintroduce the 718 Boxster and Cayman models to attract new customers. [Bloomberg]
🌍 BYD is serious about its European expansion, with its VP for the region stating, “Our strategic goal is to be seen as a European manufacturer in five years.” The Chinese automaker is planning a second factory in Europe, in addition to the one set to open in Hungary by the year's end, and aims to develop a fast-charging network there. [Automotive News]
🤑 The one and only Enzo Ferrari ever completed in the red-orange hue Rosso Dino recently sold for over $13 million through DuPont Registry’s online auction platform. The seller claims it’s the most expensive vehicle ever auctioned online. [DuPont Registry]
🏁 Weekend race results:
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at San Diego: Layne Riggs took the win for Front Row Motorsports.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at San Diego: Austin Hill triumphed for Richard Childress Racing.
MotoGP Czechia Grand Prix: Marc Márquez claimed victory for Ducati.
IndyCar at Road America: Christian Lundgaard won for Arrow McLaren.
NASCAR Cup Series at San Diego: Corey Heim secured the win for 23XI Racing.
Do you have a tip or feedback for TDS? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com.
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