Rumored $2.5 Billion Ohio Plant Could Be Honda’s Home for Flagship SUVs: TDS

Hello and welcome to The Downshift, a daily sweep of the morning’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 Friday, September 25, 2026:

🏭 Honda is said to be in the “final stages of negotiations” of a new hybrid vehicle production plant in central Ohio, per multiple sources. The automaker would build the next-gen Acura MDX and two flagship crossovers (perhaps one would be the super-sized Pilot we heard about earlier this week) at the facility, which is said to cost $2.5 billion. If the company is able to go through with the plan, it would be its first new North American plant in about 20 years, and its fifth in the U.S. specifically. A Honda spokesperson denied the news, saying that any claims about a new factory or products is speculation. [Automotive News, Nikkei Asia]

📉 New data indicates that U.S. sales of Ford and General Motors cars have dropped nearly 9% and just above 6%, respectively, through 2026 so far. [Reuters]

🗳️ Republican Senator Bernie Moreno and Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, who are spearheading a bill banning Chinese cars, have delayed a vote on the matter until next week. [Reuters]

💰 If you want a great deal on a Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV, now’s the time, as existing 2025 vehicles are being listed for as much as $12,500 off, with 2026 examples going for $6,000 off. VW is clearing stock as the model is leaving the U.S. market, giving the automaker more capacity at its Tennessee plant to focus on gas-powered SUVs. [InsideEVs]

🌍 The European Union has asked the U.K. to increase its tariffs on Chinese cars, or risk tariffs and restrictions on British automotive exports to Europe. The concern from European lawmakers is that Chinese vehicles could more easily and cheaply enter the bloc by way of the U.K. [Reuters via Automotive News]

🚙 Mitsubishi is planning to introduce a next-generation Outlander in 2028, including a new plug-in hybrid model, according to a report out of Japan. [Autoblog]

🏁 Weekend races to watch (all times Eastern):

• Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Saturday at 7 a.m. on Apple TV
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Kansas: Saturday at 1 p.m. on FS1
• World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Fuji: Saturday at 10 p.m. on HBO Max
• British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone: Sunday at 7:15 a.m. on Racer (first of three races)
• NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas: Sunday at 3 p.m. on USA
• NHRA Drag Racing Rockingham Finals: Sunday at 3 p.m. on FS1

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