--- title: "Tesla’s Profit Scheme Is Over, Core Profit Center Set To Collapse: TDS" date: "2025-08-15" modified: "2025-08-15" 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/teslas-profit-scheme-is-over-core-profit-center-set-to-collapse-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Tesla’s Profit Scheme Is Over, Core Profit Center Set To Collapse: TDS ![A Tesla Cybertruck is parked on a street and a red downward arrow is superimposed over it.]() *\Chris Jung/NurPhoto, The Drive\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* is *The Drive*'s weekday early-morning quick-hit news roundup. It gathers all the latest automotive news from around the globe that's bubbling and puts it in one place. Grab a Pop-Tart and coffee. *TDS* is not a full-featured story or in-depth reporting. It's tight, light, and right. Each story is summarized in a single sentence with a link to go deeper into the topic for those seeking more information. Already halfway through the second cup of coffee here, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Still spending time with the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS and used Super Cruise to drive up north to the lake last night mostly hands free. 🔋 [Tesla's party is over]() after banking $11 billion by selling regulatory credits, which are set to dry up in the coming years thanks to Trump's Big Beautiful Bill enabling automakers to sell all the Hellcats and Hemis they want without penalty. 🌲 The [Lucid Gravity X concept debuted]() in Monterey ahead of Pebble Beach as a display of what an off-road focused version of the electric three-row SUV could look like. 🚙 Some specs for the upcoming [2026 Jeep Cherokee leaked]() by the automaker itself, including the fact it will have a 1.6-liter turbo-four hybrid powertrain with up to 38 mpg combined and ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds. 🛻 The [Ram Dakota returned](), though the truck debuted in South America and is not intended, at least in this form, for America. 🇯🇵 Nissan said the [2026 Armada Nismo will cost]() $81,720 including a $2,190 destination charge. ✨ Rivian's first one-off, the R1S Quad Pebble Beach Edition, [sold at auction]() for $175,000 with proceeds being donated to WaterAid and #TeamWater charities. *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]()