Honda Keeps Setting Sales Records. The CR-V and Hybrids Are Why: TDS

Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, a daily sweep of today’s 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 what’s cooking on Wednesday, November 4, 2026:

🔊 A new episode of The Drivecast, The Drive’s weekly podcast, will go live later today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

📈 Honda’s SUVs led the charge to the automaker’s best October in North America since 2020. The CR-V recorded 34,815 units—about 10% better than a year ago—and 53% of them sold were hybrids. Even the Acura MDX sold 54% better versus October 2025, which makes you really wonder how much money they’re leaving on the table with the RDX’s hiatus. [Honda]

🏭 Mercedes reportedly now doesn’t anticipate U.S. production of the GLC SUV to begin until 2030—quite a long way away from its planned November 2027 start. Since the GLC is currently imported, that’ll expose the company to tariffs on the model, and it seems like Mercedes won’t bring manufacturing over until the SUV’s next redesign. [Automotive News]

💴 Toyota is expected to announce its first rise in global operating income in more than a year, to the tune of $6.3 billion over the July-through-September quarter. That would work out to an 18% jump. [Reuters]

⚡ The Ferrari Luce is sold out through 2027, according to CEO Benedetto Vigna. “If someone comes, he has to wait one year to get the cars,” Vigna said on an earnings call. The Luce starts at $615,000, and first deliveries are expected before the end of the year. [TechCrunch]

💶 BMW still enjoyed a 2% boost in trading today despite slashing its projected full-year profit margin for the second time in five months and a restructuring plan that would cut 8,000 jobs in Germany. [Reuters]

🛻 In addition to the Fathom electric pickup due for sale here, Ford is launching a new, affordable midsize truck for international markets. The bill of materials is said to be 20% lower than that of the Ranger, according to CEO Jim Farley, and the hope is that it’ll do for the overseas truck market what the Maverick did here. [CarBuzz]

💰 TWG Global co-chair Mark Walter is reportedly looking to sell his stake in the Cadillac F1 team for $3 billion. Walter, who is currently being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud, also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Sparks and, until August, the Lakers as well. [USA Today]

Got a tip or feedback for The Downshift? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com