--- title: "President Trump’s New Armored Cadillac Escalade Emerges: TDS" date: "2026-01-23" modified: "2026-01-23" 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/president-trumps-new-armored-cadillac-escalade-emerges-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # President Trump’s New Armored Cadillac Escalade Emerges: TDS ![Presidential Cadillac Escalade]() *\United States Secret Service\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Dense, short, and well rounded, *TDS* gathers all the bubbling automotive news from around the globe and puts it in one place. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. I'm back in the U.S. from Sweden, the real feel is -32 degrees Fahrenheit outside in Minneapolis, MN, and I definitely need a second cup of coffee after this. Let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Arrived back from Sweden to a 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid for the weekend. The crossover SUV is attractive, but instant impressions leave me wondering aside from design what makes this compelling? The zoom zoom and sharpness that defines a Mazda is seemingly absent. That's before addressing the CX-50's shortcomings in terms of packaging that have nothing to do with the hybrid powertrain. 🤫 [President Trump's new armored Cadillac Escalade]() went into service with little fanfare in Davos, though naturally the Secret Service has said nothing in terms of details surrounding the new SUV other than confirming it now exists in the protective fleet. 🙈 Tesla's roller coaster of bad news continues as [the numbers reveal]() the EV darling lost the most market share last year in California, [VW beat the U.S.-based automaker]() to become Europe's top EV brand in 2025, and [Musk admitted]() his dream of mass-producing robots and Cybercabs will be "agonizingly slow." 🚙 The chairman of the BMW National Dealer Forum said the luxury automaker [needs to go big and add a true full-size SUV]() to its lineup to compete against the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and even the Infiniti QX80. 🔥 [Bugatti revealed]() it almost made an even more powerful Veyron back in the day with 1,341 horsepower. 🥱 The chair of the Stellantis dealer council said former CEO Carlos Tavares tried to [make the auto giant's brands into a boring transportation company]() and that's not who they are. 👨‍⚖️ VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers [filed a new lawsuit claiming Scout isn't really an EV brand]() since it's going to sell extended-range EVs with gas motors. 🪫 The return of the Chevrolet Bolt will not be for long as the automaker will kill the EV, again, after [just 18 months with production ending]() so GM can shift Buick Envision production from China to the U.S. 📈 Mercedes-Benz said sales of the electric GLC SUV have "[significantly exceeded" the company's expectations](). 😵 Tesla [removed its lane centering feature]() for all Model 3 and Model Y trims in the U.S. market. ⧴ The [next-generation Alfao Romeo Stelvio has been delayed, again](), by two years as the company works to reengineer the SUV, which was supposed to be all electric. 🇺🇸 Jeep [launched a new marketing campaign]() that shifts the messaging from "It's a Jeep thing" to just "Jeep Things" as the automaker leans into what it is and isn't. ## 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]()