--- title: "Hyundai’s Betting $817 Million on a Battery-Powered Future: TDS" date: "2025-12-02" modified: "2025-12-02" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hyundais-betting-817-million-on-a-battery-powered-future-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Hyundai’s Betting $817 Million on a Battery-Powered Future: TDS ![Hyundai's Next-Generation Battery Innovation Lab]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Simple, short, and snappy, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive news from around the world and puts it in one place. Stories are summarized in a single, sometimes long, sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. The first cup of coffee is gone and I'm ready for the second, so let's get into it. 🔋 Hyundai's spending $1.2 trillion won ($817 million) on [a new Future Mobility Battery Campus]() in South Korea, which will perform real-world quality and durability testing on battery packs before mass production begins; the automaker said it's been experimenting with cell materials and designs, but the new campus will enable the development of next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries for EVs and extended-range hybrids. 🏎️ Toyota [teased the debut of its new sports models](), which will be revealed Thursday at 9 pm ET, and the dark image confirms a race car (presumed to be entering the GT3 class), a road-going variant of that race car presumed to now be called the Toyota GR GT, and for the first time, what seems like confirmation of a production model of the Lexus Sport Concept. ⛽️ A new report revealed [China is flooding the world with gas-powered cars]() its automakers can't sell at home. 🚙 Mercedes-Benz released two new teaser images of the [upcoming G-Class Cabriolet](). 🛞 The [new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS successor]() will arrive on New Year's Eve. ‼️ [Nissan recalled nearly 42,000 Sentras]() due to a defective windshield, which may have visible air bubbles in the glass. 🥜 Hyundai partnered with PEANUTS [bringing Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and other iconic characters to infotainment screens]() of certain models including the Ioniq 9 and Palisade. 🔦 Kia gave us a [glimpse of the new 2027 Seltos]() ahead of the small SUV's apparently imminent debut. 🔌 The executive in charge of the Porsche Cayenne lineup said [the electric variant is more capable off-road]() than the gas-powered model, and the EV towed a Porsche boat over 150 miles on a single charge. 🔲 Porsche [brought back Pasha, tartan, and Pepita fabric patterns]() for enthusiasts looking to restore their classic cars to original condition. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()