--- title: "Honda Wants to Capitalize on North American Demand With Another Factory: TDS" date: "2026-07-20" modified: "2026-07-20" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-wants-to-capitalize-on-north-american-demand-with-another-factory-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Honda Wants to Capitalize on North American Demand With Another Factory: TDS ![A Honda Accord on the production line]() *\Honda\* 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 Monday, July 20, 2026. 🏭 Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said that he'd be interested in adding an eighth factory in North America, to bolster output in what is the company's most profitable region, accounting for around 40% of its global sales last year. "I want to increase the number of sales in North America a lot," Mibe told the *Yomiuri Shinbun* newspaper last week. "The basic idea is to produce in a place where there is demand." *\[[Automobile News]()\]* 🀏 Genesis's managing director for Europe, Peter Kronschnabl, said that Hyundai's luxury brand is "evaluating" the prospect of smaller models, but has nothing to confirm yet. *\[[Autocar]()\]* πŸ₯¨ Electric vehicles just outsold every other type of new car in Germany last month, for the first time ever. EVs represented 84,057 sales in the country in June, followed by traditional hybrids at 83,315 registrations, and gas-powered vehicles at 60,796. Diesels and plug-ins accounted for less than 34,000 units each. *\[[InsideEVs]()\]* πŸ”Œ Pilot Flying J's newest two travel centers in Massachusetts and Florida, plus updates to existing sites, mean the company now has over 300 locations with EV charging in the U.S. *\[[Electrek]()\]* 🧾 Aston Martin did not deny a report that broke late last week that the luxury automaker has held ongoing talks with lenders including BlackRock-owned HPS Investment Partners in hopes to boost liquidity. *\[[Reuters]()\]* πŸ›» Todd Johnson, who worked on the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV at General Motors, has joined Scout to serve as its Vice President of Manufacturing. *\[[Scout Motors]()\]* 🏁 Weekend race results: - **WRC Rally Estonia:** Sami Pajari won for Toyota Gazoo Racing - **NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway:** Chandler Smith won for Front Row Motorsports - **Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix:** Kimi Antonelli won for Mercedes - **IndyCar at Nashville:** Race rescheduled to 3 p.m. Monday due to rain - **NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway:** Joey Logano won for Team Penske - **NHRA Drag Racing Sonoma Nationals Finals:** Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jordan Vandergriff (Funny Car), and Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) won in respective classes *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]()