Toyota Planned to Substitute the Highlander with an Electric Vehicle, but It's Already Behind Schedule: TDS

Toyota Planned to Substitute the Highlander with an Electric Vehicle, but It's Already Behind Schedule: TDS

      Adam Ismail

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      Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news compilation that provides you with the biggest automotive headlines worldwide.

      The Downshift offers brief news recaps, including links to full articles for those wanting more details. Here’s your update for Friday, July 10, 2026.

      ⏳ Toyota has postponed the release of its first-ever Highlander EV, which was originally set for later this year. It's unclear when the model will now hit the market, but in the meantime, the gasoline and hybrid versions will continue to be produced. The company's official statement indicates that they are making “additional adjustments to the vehicle prior to launch.” [Cars.com]

      👎 Volkswagen is said to be planning to reduce half of its model range across all brands as part of a significant upcoming restructuring. However, this proposal was rejected by labor representatives during the automaker’s recent supervisory board meeting, with a vote tally of 12-7. Union members and the state of Lower Saxony have a majority presence on the board. [Automotive News]

      🌏 In other news, VW reported an 8.6% decrease in global deliveries for the second quarter. This decline can be attributed to weak demand in China, where sales have fallen by 20% compared to the same period last year. The performance of established brands in the region has been declining for so long that it’s almost surprising they haven’t already hit rock bottom. [Reuters]

      📈 On a positive note, BMW experienced a strong second quarter in the U.S., with a 13% increase in sales compared to the same time last year, largely due to the popularity of the 3 Series, X3, and X5. Additionally, first-half deliveries in the States are up 4.7%. [Automotive News]

      ⚡️ Lexus is showcasing its forthcoming LFA electric supercar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with reports indicating that it is “almost finished” and on track for a 2027 launch, according to one of the vehicle’s designers. [Autocar]

      🏭 General Motors seems to be placing a significant focus on the Corvette Grand Sport among the sports car's trims for 2027, apart from the base Stingray, according to alleged production numbers that emerged on an enthusiast forum. [CarBuzz]

      🛜 BMW has announced that Verizon will provide 5G connectivity for all of its new models sold in the U.S., in addition to those from Mini and Rolls-Royce. [BMW Blog]

      🏁 Weekend races to catch (all times Eastern)

      NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Lime Rock Park: Saturday at 1 p.m. on FS1

      IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Saturday at 1:20 p.m. on YouTube

      NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway: Saturday at 7 p.m. on CW

      MotoGP German Grand Prix: Sunday at 8 a.m. on FS1

      FIA WEC 6 Hours of Sao Paulo: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on truTV

      IMSA SportsCar Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Sunday at 2 p.m. on Peacock

      NASCAR Cup Series at EchoPark Speedway: Sunday at 7 p.m. on TNT

      Have a tip or feedback for TDS? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com

Toyota Planned to Substitute the Highlander with an Electric Vehicle, but It's Already Behind Schedule: TDS

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Toyota Planned to Substitute the Highlander with an Electric Vehicle, but It's Already Behind Schedule: TDS

The Toyota Highlander EV was scheduled to launch at the end of the year; however, the manufacturer has announced that it has been delayed for "further modifications."