--- title: "GM Pays $220 Million After Lawsuit Over Illegally Selling Drivers’ Data: TDS" date: "2026-10-30" modified: "2026-10-30" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-pays-220-million-after-lawsuit-over-illegally-selling-drivers-data-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "GM" --- # GM Pays $220 Million After Lawsuit Over Illegally Selling Drivers’ Data: TDS ![Cadillac Lyriq interior]() *\General Motors\* Good morning and welcome to [The Downshift](), a daily sweep of the top headlines from the auto industry and car culture, curated by *The Drive’s* editorial team. Each story gets a short summary and a link to the original source if you want to dive deeper. Here's your bulletin on the eve of All Hallows' Eve, for Friday, October 30, 2026: 💵 General Motors has agreed to pay $220 million to 36 states to settle allegations that it sold drivers' data to brokers, who in turn sold it to insurance companies, where it was used to increase drivers' rates. The settlement also requires that a third party audit the privacy programs that the automaker has put in place to ensure that this doesn't happen in the future. *\[[TechCrunch]()\]* ®️ Honda confirmed today at SEMA in Las Vegas that the upcoming HRC version of the Civic Type R, which was first teased in concept form back in January at the Tokyo Auto Salon, will be sold in the U.S. as well. Little is known about this version of the sport sedan, though the concept bore obvious aero enhancements, as well as an Akrapovic exhaust and improved cooling. Rumor has it that the engine will be upgraded as well, applying learnings from the CTR that competes in Japan's Super Taikyu series. *\[[Honda]()\]* 🏭 Anonymous sources said to have knowledge of Volkswagen's negotiations with the Trump administration say that the automaker was promised tariff relief in exchange for its $4 billion commitment to a new U.S. assembly plant. *\[[Reuters]()\]* ⛳ In other VW news, the company has suspended development of the all-electric Golf at its Wolfsburg plant amid its financial crisis. Wolfsburg is not understood to be one of VW's facilities that faces the risk of closure. Passenger car chief Thomas Schäfer said in a memo, "I know what the Golf means for Volkswagen and for Wolfsburg. That's ​why this decision was really not an easy one for us." *\[[Reuters]()\]* 📉 Aston Martin lost another $100 million before tax in the third quarter. In total, the British luxury carmaker has lost more than $3 billion since Lawrence Stroll took it over in 2020. However, since this quarterly deficit was slightly better than it was this time last year, Aston's shares did tick up slightly in London this week. It's true what they say about the power of setting low expectations! *\[[Bloomberg]()\]* 🤖 Toyota is partnering with Waymo to deliver Japan's first autonomous ride-hailing service, using a fleet of bZ4X electric SUVs. *\[[Toyota]()\]* 🏜️ Finally, we'll bring it back to Honda, which has revealed a Passport trophy truck that will compete in the World Desert Championship. It makes more than 1,300 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6 paired with electric motors, and it looks killer in its Red Bull-sponsored livery. Nice to see these brands working together again, despite now being sworn enemies in F1. *\[[Honda]()\]* 🏁 Weekend races to watch (all times Eastern): - **NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville:** Friday at 6 p.m. on FS1 - **NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Martinsville:** Saturday at 4 p.m. on CW/ESPN - **MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix:** Sunday at 2 a.m. on FS2 - **NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville:** Sunday at 2 p.m. on NBC - **Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix:** Sunday at 3 p.m. on Apple TV - **NHRA Las Vegas Nationals Finals:** Sunday at 5 p.m. on FS1 *Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Reach out to 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]() ## More - [Feds Investigate GM’s 6.2-Liter V8s That Keep Failing Despite Fixes: TDS]() - [Ford Recalls Over Half a Million Broncos for Engine Fire Risk: TDS]() - [Rumored $2.5 Billion Ohio Plant Could Be Honda’s Home for Flagship SUVs: TDS]() - [Tesla Says It’s Weeks Away From Selling Steering Wheel, Pedal-Free Cybercabs to Private Buyers: TDS]() - [Mitsubishi’s Getting Serious About Trucks in North America Again: TDS]() - [China Will Dominate US Car Market Like Europe’s Unless Restricted, Hyundai CEO Says: TDS]() - [Toyota Wanted to Replace the Highlander With an EV. It’s Already Delayed: TDS]() - [The War in Iran Is Saving China’s Biggest EV Maker Right Now: TDS]()