--- title: "BMW Discontinues the iX to Roll Out the Red Carpet for What’s Next: TDS" description: "Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short." date: "2026-04-14" modified: "2026-04-14" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-discontinues-the-ix-to-roll-out-the-red-carpet-for-whats-next-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "BMW" - "Electric Vehicle" - "iX" - "suv/crossover" --- # BMW Discontinues the iX to Roll Out the Red Carpet for What’s Next: TDS ![BMW iX front view]() *\Fabian Kirchbauer/BMW\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *TDS* is your daily one-stop shop for all the auto industry headlines from around the world fit to print. In the old days, before the internet, a kid on a bicycle would throw a rolled-up copy at your door, and you’d sit and read it at your breakfast nook with coffee in hand and get ink all over your fingers. The modern version’s a lot less romantic, but just as informative. Let's get into it. 👋 The BMW iX is officially dead, the automaker confirmed to *[BMWBlog]()*, saying that it's proud of what it accomplished with the all-electric SUV, and that it's concluding U.S. allocation to clear space for its successor, the next-generation [BMW iX3](), which is expected to arrive at dealerships this summer. 📉 Speaking of BMW, like other European automakers, it had a difficult first quarter, [reporting]() a 3.5% year-over-year decline in deliveries globally—specifically, 4.3% down in the U.S. and 10% in China. However, Europe was up 3%, so, it could've been worse. 👔 Lucid has [finally named a new CEO]() to replace its interim chief executive after last year's departure of founder Peter Rawlinson. Silvio Napoli comes to Lucid after decades at the Swiss industrial tech firm Schindler Group. 💰 Lucid has [also announced]() that Uber will increase the number of robotaxis it will order from the EV maker, and invest another $200 million in the company. Plus, Lucid has secured an additional $500 million from an affiliate of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which owns over 58% of the company. 🖊️ McLaren's next design chief will be Kemal Curić, who previously headed up Ford Performance design and is responsible for the last-gen (S550) Mustang, per *[Autocar]()*. ❓ Tesla owners in Europe who wish to use Full Self-Driving will need to pass a two-question quiz before the vehicle will unlock the capability, according to *[InsideEVs]()*. The feature was only recently legally permitted for use in the Netherlands this month. 🍁 Stellantis had an encouraging first quarter in the U.S., with a slight uptick in sales. But the news is even better up in the Great White North, where the company outperformed the same period in 2025 by 14.9%, per *[Automotive News]()*. *Got a tip or feedback? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()