The New Hyundai Elantra Is Surprisingly Impressive: TDS

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      Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news summary that presents the largest automotive headlines from around the globe.

      The Downshift provides a brief overview of the news, with links for those wanting to dive deeper. This is your bulletin for Friday, June 26, 2026.

      🤖 Hyundai has unveiled the next-generation Avante, known in international markets as the Elantra—and it certainly stands out. The design incorporates elements from the latest Ioniq models, the new Sonata, and a hint of the N Vision 74 concept from previous years. The Avante will soon be available in domestic showrooms, and we can expect its arrival in the U.S. in 2027. [Autocar]

      🍁 Chinese car manufacturers, such as Chery and Geely, are seeing forthcoming Canadian auto sales as an opportunity to potentially expand into the U.S. if the current governmental policies that have negatively impacted Polestar change. “We definitely have the intention to sell cars in the United States,” said Chery International president Zhang Guibing to media in China last month. [Reuters]

      👔 Honda's CEO Toshihiro Mibe was reappointed as the head of the company by the board on Friday, overcoming a proposal for his removal after the automaker reported its first annual loss in nearly 70 years. [Automotive News]

      💡 If you’re not yet fond of the Ferrari Luce, maybe you just need more time to “digest” it, according to Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Maranello’s Chief Product Development Officer. “A car like this needs to be seen often to be understood; it needs time to be digested. Otherwise, your mind may dismiss certain aspects,” the executive explained at a tech forum in Milan on Thursday. [Reuters]

      ⚡ A new recall has been issued for the 2026-model-year Toyota bZ, Subaru Solterra, and Lexus RZ due to faulty ECUs that could result in a loss of drive power. This issue cannot be resolved through an over-the-air update, so owners will need to visit a service center. Nearly 21,000 vehicles are affected in total. [Autoblog]

      🖥️ In other recall news, Hyundai has announced a recall for 96,000 Tucson SUVs related to potential instrument cluster failures; however, this issue can be resolved with a software update for the owners. [Reuters]

      🏭 According to a recent report citing sources familiar with the automaker's plans, Volkswagen may shut down up to four plants in Germany and increase its total layoffs to 100,000. [Reuters]

      🚕 Waymo has established a new business in Germany to start offering autonomous taxi services within the country. [Bloomberg]

      🐈‍⬛ The Jaguar Type 01— the production model of the controversial Jaguar Type 00 concept meant to relaunch the British brand—is set to debut in New York this October, as confirmed by a representative from Jaguar Land Rover. [Automotive News]

      🏁 Weekend racing schedule (all times Eastern)

      WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Streaming all weekend on Rally.TV

      78th 24 Hours of Spa: Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on YouTube

      IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Watkins Glen: Saturday at 1 p.m. on YouTube

      NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Sonoma: Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on CW

      MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix: Sunday at 8 a.m. on MotoGP Video Pass

      Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix: Sunday at 9 a.m. on Apple TV

      IMSA SportsCar 6 Hours of Watkins Glen: Sunday at 12 p.m. on Peacock

      NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma: Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on TNT

      NHRA Drag Racing Summit Nationals Finals: Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on FOX

      Do you have a tip or feedback for TDS? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com.