--- title: "GM Says High Gas Prices Have Driven Small-Car Shift Faster Than Expected: TDS" date: "2026-06-17" modified: "2026-06-17" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-says-high-gas-prices-have-driven-small-car-shift-faster-than-expected-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "Chevrolet" - "General Motors" - "GMC" - "pickup" - "suv/crossover" --- # GM Says High Gas Prices Have Driven Small-Car Shift Faster Than Expected: TDS ![Trucks for sale are lined up at a CarMax dealership on April 4, 2025 in San Diego, California.]() *\Kevin Carter/Getty Images\* Welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or TDS for short, *The Drive’s* morning news roundup bringing you the biggest automotive headlines from around the world. *The Downshift* recaps news briefly, with links to full stories for those seeking more info. This is your bulletin for Wednesday, June 17, 2026. 🔊 The latest episode of *The Drivecast*, *The Drive’s* new weekly podcast, is now live on [Apple Podcasts](), [Spotify](), and wherever you get your podcasts. 🛢️ New car buyers are shifting away from larger, more inefficient SUVs and trucks in half the time General Motors expected due to the war in Iran, with Duncan Aldred, president of the automaker's North America operations, saying, "I'm not going to sit here and say it’s permanent yet, but we are seeing somewhat of a shrinking of pickup trucks, full-size utilities and some of the heavier \[vehicles\] and an increase in the more affordable segments of the industry." *[\[Automotive News\]]()* 📉 BMW's grim profit warning on Wednesday precipitated a 7% fall in shares. The company now expects an operating profit ranging from 1% to 3%, rather than the earlier guidance of 4% to 6%. *[\[Reuters\]]()* 📒 In better news for BMW, it's decided to open the order books for the i3 sedan earlier than expected in Europe—as in tomorrow, rather than in the fall as originally planned, citing strong demand. *[\[Automotive News\]]()* ⚙️ Ford has issued a recall for 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion models equipped with the 1.0-liter Fox engine and manual transmissions, as the clutch is especially prone to slipping, increasing the risk of overheating and fire. *[\[Autoblog\]]()* ♦️ Mitsubishi dealers in North America have been shown previews of the upcoming Montero SUV and Nissan Frontier-based midsize pickup, and they're apparently very excited, with one retailer calling the upcoming roster "night and day from the current lineup." *[\[Automotive News\]]()* 🪪 Rivian, which employed just over 15,000 people at the end of last year, is laying off less than 2% of its workforce. *[\[Automotive News\]]()* ⬇️ Jaguar Land Rover has stepped down its profit margin guidance to 4%. In addition to the challenges many European automakers are facing, JLR's cybertattack last fall is believed to have cost the company about $2.6 billion. *[\[Reuters\]]()* 🏁 In racing news, Porsche, which left the World Endurance Championship after last season and thus didn't compete in last weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans, said that rulemakers' target to combine LMH and LMDh cars into a single formula would be a "significant step" in bringing it back to the event. *[\[Motorsport\]]()* *Got a news tip? 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]()