The Difference in Cost Between Regular and Premium Gas Is Increasing. Motorists Are Reacting: TDS

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      Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, your daily news roundup from The Drive that brings together the top automotive headlines from around the world.

      The Downshift condenses news into brief summaries, each accompanied by a link to the original article for more detailed information. Today is Tuesday, July 7, 2026—here’s what’s new.

      ⛽ It's common for drivers who usually use premium gasoline to switch to mid-grade or regular when prices are high, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing now. According to a recent report, sales of premium gas dropped by 5% over a four-day span late last month, while mid-grade decreased by 2%, and regular gas saw a 10% increase. Currently, premium gas is averaging 90 cents more per gallon than regular, with experts suggesting this gap could expand to a dollar by the end of the year. However, switching fuels isn't recommended for all vehicles; while some manufacturers simply suggest premium for specific models, many high-performance cars necessitate high-octane fuel, and consistently using a lower grade could cause engine damage. [Bloomberg]

      🏭 Toyota is set to establish a new 2.5-million-square-foot truck plant in Texas that will take on some Tacoma production currently taking place in Mexico. The facility is projected to cost $3.6 billion and is expected to open by 2030. [Reuters]

      🔧 Ford has issued two completely different recalls affecting distinct Mustang models. Approximately 68,000 units of the sports car (including the GTD) are recalled due to windshield wipers that may function improperly in colder temperatures, only operating at their highest setting. Meanwhile, the electric Mach-E faces a more serious issue; nearly 43,000 SUVs are being recalled over defective rear-differential pinion shafts that could break, leading to loss of drive or difficulty parking without the parking brake engaged. The automaker will replace all impacted components at no cost. [Reuters]

      💽 In other developments at Ford, the company has struck a deal with memory chip manufacturer Micron to supply its vehicles. Competitor GM announced a similar agreement last week. [Reuters]

      🏛️ Rivian had a strong second quarter, outperforming analysts' forecasts, though its sales fell by 9% on Monday after the company revealed plans to sell 75 million shares. [Reuters]

      🌎 Leapmotor vehicles are now officially available in Mexico, as announced by the Chinese automaker on Monday. The brand is launching with its B10 electric SUV, marketed through Stellantis’ dealer network in Mexico. [Automotive News]

      🚙 Land Rover may be considering transforming the next-generation Range Rover Velar into a high-riding sedan or liftback instead of a traditional SUV—an unexpected move as sedans are typically being redesigned as crossovers. [Autocar]

      ⚡ Bentley has announced that its inaugural battery-electric vehicle will be named “Torcal,” with its debut scheduled for September 26 in London. [Automotive News]

      🧑‍🔧 McLaren Special Operations has restored the company’s first-ever road car, the M6GT, using a mix of refurbished parts and newly created ones based on original molds and designs. The chassis is based on the M6A race car, and it's powered by a Chevy small-block engine. [McLaren]

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