Toyota and Nissan Acknowledge That Their Vehicles Manufactured in America Might Feature Thin Paint, Panel Gaps, and Remaining Residue: TDS

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      Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, abbreviated as TDS, The Drive’s morning news compilation that consolidates the latest automotive headlines from around the world into one convenient location.

      The Downshift condenses stories into a single sentence and offers a link for those wishing to learn more. Here’s what’s happening on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

      🔊 Today, a new episode of The Drivecast, The Drive’s weekly podcast, will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

      💅 Toyota and Nissan have begun importing American-made vehicles to Japan; however, they are selling these cars with a warning indicating that the quality does not meet Japanese standards, mentioning potential issues like thin paint, panel gaps, or leftover residue.

      ❌ Porsche is now offloading non-essential assets and may reduce its workforce as the renowned automaker continues its restructuring efforts.

      🐎 Ferrari has appointed former BMW executive Massimiliano Di Silvestre as its new marketing chief following the unveiling of the Luce EV.

      💻 Nissan aims to reduce software development time from months to hours by leveraging AI, attempting to keep pace with software-defined vehicles from China.

      🏭 Subaru announced it will transition to “ultra-efficient production” following a $362 million write-down on electric vehicles and delays in order to streamline operations and stay competitive in the era of electrification.

      📱 The 2027 Audi A3 will replace physical buttons with larger screens.

      ⛽️ Porsche CEO Michael Leiters stated that there will never be a fully electric 911 model.

      🚨 Ford has already recalled 11.2 million vehicles this year.

      😍 Morgan unveiled the remarkable Midsummer hard-top, which will only have nine units produced.

      🔋 The long wheelbase version of the Tesla Model Y L is expected to make its debut in North America this fall.

      🧑‍⚖️ Rivian is facing a class action lawsuit concerning its first-generation R1 models after initially marketing them as capable of Level 3 autonomy and true hands-free driving.

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