BMW's G-Wagen Competitor Might Not Be In the Works After All: TDS
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Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s compilation of automotive headlines from around the world.
The Downshift condenses stories into a few sentences and includes links for those wanting further details. Here is your update for Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
🔊 The latest episode of The Drivecast, The Drive’s weekly podcast, will be available later today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms where you listen to podcasts.
🚙 According to a recent report from anonymous sources, the much-anticipated off-road BMW SUV designed to compete with Mercedes’ G-Wagen is not guaranteed to happen. The project appears to have undergone changes, moving from being fully electric to sharing a platform with the new X5, now with the option for a plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, it reportedly has not received final approval, and the automaker has not publicly confirmed the vehicle. In essence, if it doesn't materialize in the next two years, it may quietly fade away. [BMW Blog]
🪪 In other BMW news, the company plans to reduce its workforce in Germany by several thousand by the end of 2027 through a voluntary buyout program, similar to other German manufacturers facing challenges in China and pressing needs to reduce costs amid geopolitical and supply chain issues. [Reuters]
💺 Ford is recalling nearly 80,000 units of the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator due to front seat backs that may recline excessively, apparently caused by a seat memory issue that could trap second-row passengers who are already inside the vehicle. [Autoblog]
🔋 In the first half of 2026, 65% of the vehicles Toyota sold in Canada were some form of electrified, including full EVs, plug-in hybrids, or traditional hybrids. This marks a 14% improvement over the same timeframe last year. [Automotive News]
📉 Lamborghini has pointed to U.S. tariffs and unfavorable exchange rates as reasons for an 8% decrease in its operating profit for the first half of the year. [Reuters]
🧑🏭 Around 6,000 employees at Audi’s Neckarsulm facility protested on Wednesday against the possible closure of the plant, as Volkswagen Group has identified it as one of four factories in Germany that could be shut down by 2030. [Reuters]
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BMW's G-Wagen Competitor Might Not Be In the Works After All: TDS
According to a new report, BMW's first off-road-focused SUV has not yet received approval and has undergone changes during its development.