--- title: "Turns Out Tesla Cybercab Will Have a Steering Wheel and Pedals ‘If We Have To:’ TDS" date: "2025-10-29" modified: "2025-10-29" 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/turns-out-tesla-cybercab-will-have-a-steering-wheel-and-pedals-if-we-have-to-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Turns Out Tesla Cybercab Will Have a Steering Wheel and Pedals ‘If We Have To:’ TDS ![Tesla Cybercab]() *\Tesla\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Tight, light, and right, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive news from around the globe and places it in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single, sometimes long, sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. It's now the evening in Japan and I spent the day at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Nothing, but I rode in a bus today. 🚕 Robyn Denholm, the chair of Tesla’s board of directors, said “If we have to have a steering wheel, [it can have a steering wheel and pedals](),” referring to the Tesla Cybercab; the statement contradicted what CEO Elon Musk said said last week noting the Cybercab will not have a steering wheel or pedals and will go into production in eight months. 👨‍💼 Denholm also said the [Tesla board is eyeing an internal candidate]() at Tesla to take over as CEO if Elon Musk leaves the company, if shareholders won't agree to his $1 trillion pay package; a new report indicates Musk's political antics [cost Tesla over 1 million in EV sales](). 🚢 The [Trump administration announced]() that Toyota would export some of its U.S.-made vehicles to Japan, but a Toyota executive quickly [said no such promise has been made](). ✨ Porsche's EV limbo has put the [Audi A8's future in peril]() without confirmation on what happens next for the luxury automaker's flagship sedan. 📉 Mercedes-Benz [reported a plunge in operating profits]() for Q3, hit with redundancy in payroll and job cuts. ‼️ Ford [recalled nearly 175,000 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs]() due to a sunroof defect that could lead to the wind deflectors detaching. *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]()