--- title: "Toyota, Mazda, and JLR Are Losing the Race to Software-Defined Vehicles: TDS" date: "2025-08-12" modified: "2025-08-12" 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/toyota-mazda-and-jlr-are-losing-the-race-to-software-defined-vehicles-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Toyota, Mazda, and JLR Are Losing the Race to Software-Defined Vehicles: TDS ![2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport in white, front angle, with a dog in the window]() *\Andrew P. Collins\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* is *The Drive*'s weekday early morning quick-hit news rundown of all the automotive stories bubbling round the globe. Grab a Pop-Tart and coffee. Feedback on *TDS* is both welcomed and encouraged via the comments section or email (tips@thedrive.com). Tight, light, and right, *TDS* is not a full-featured story or in-depth reporting, rather it's a rundown where stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those looking to go deeper. Already on the second cup of coffee here, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: The 2025 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label left yesterday and was replaced by a sporty electric crossover. More on that tomorrow. πŸ’» In the [race into the future of software-defined vehicles]() Gartner Vice President of Research Pedro Pacheco said Tesla, the Chinese automakers, Rivian and Lucid are all winning while Toyota, Mazda, and JLR are losing. πŸ›» Ford [recalled more than 103,000 F-150 trucks]() due to axle bolts that may break and result in vehicle rollaways or loss of drive power. πŸ”Œ Funding for [America's EV charging infrastructure is not dead](), and is now coming back online with a claim the slashing of "red tape" along the way. πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’Ό Tesla's executive exodus continues with the [director of service leaving the company]() after nine years. πŸš™ The [Ford Escape is being killed]() off to make way for the automaker's new [$30,000 mid-size electric truck]() at the company's Louisville, Kentucky plant. πŸ€– General Motors reportedly plans a [renewed push into self-driving cars](). *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]()