--- title: "Norway Bucks ‘Tesla Shame’ and Musk Issues With 24% Sales Increase: TDS" date: "2025-08-14" modified: "2025-08-14" 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/norway-bucks-tesla-shame-and-musk-issues-with-24-sales-increase-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Norway Bucks ‘Tesla Shame’ and Musk Issues With 24% Sales Increase: TDS ![Tesla charging points in a rural Norwegian setting]() *\Getty\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* is The Drive's weekday early morning quick-hit news rundown featuring the latest automotive stories bubbling from around the globe. Grab a cup of coffee and Pop-Tart. Feedback regarding *TDS* is appreciated and welcomed via the comments section and email (tips@thedrive.com). Light, tight, and right, TDS is a not a full-featured story or in-depth reporting. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link to go deeper for those seeking more information. The first cup of coffee is gone here, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS remains in my driveway and my son is in love with this car's red interior. 🔋 Tesla sales in Norway [bucked the rest of the world]() with 24% growth during the first half of the year despite what's become known as "Tesla Shame" due to Musk's right-wing political meddling and growing threats from competitors. 🔌 The [buildout of the U.S. electric-car charging infrastructure]() is set to surge forward into the future despite a looming EV sales slump. 🚙 A [hybrid-powered Hyundai Tucson N]() with about 300 horsepower is reportedly coming to compete with the upcoming Toyota RAV4 GR plug-in hybrid. ⛓️‍💥 JLR [recalled 121,509 Range Rover and Range Rover Sports]() in the U.S. ranging from 2014 to 2017 model years due to potential cracks in the front suspension upper knuckle joints. ✨ Rivian's first one-of-one one-off vehicle, debuting at Pebble Beach this week, will not be its last and [opens a new era for the automaker's Studio Original program](). 🏎️ Genesis Magma Racing is in the final stages of prep to [begin track testing]() the GMR-001 Hypercar. *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]()