--- title: "Volkswagen’s Cost-Cutting Crusade Could Doom Jetta, Porsche Taycan and 718: TDS" description: "Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short, *The Drive*‘s daily news roundup that gathers all the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and puts them in one spot." date: "2026-07-14" modified: "2026-07-14" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/volkswagens-cost-cutting-crusade-could-doom-jetta-porsche-taycan-and-718" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Volkswagen’s Cost-Cutting Crusade Could Doom Jetta, Porsche Taycan and 718: TDS ![Pair of Volkswagen Jetta sedans viewed from front three-quarters]() *\Volkswagen\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short, *The Drive*‘s daily news roundup that gathers all the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and puts them in one spot. *The Downshift* summarizes stories into a couple of sentences and provides a link for those seeking more information. Here's what’s happening on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. ✂️ Volkswagen's desperate cost-cutting campaign could eliminate models at every one of the conglomerate's brands, including the Porsche Taycan, Cayenne Coupe, and 718 successor, as well as the VW Jetta and Taos, and the Audi Q5 Sportback and Q6 E-Tron Sportback. *\[[Bild]() via [Road & Track]()\]* 📦 Rivian's Commercial Van is quietly one of the automaker's biggest hits, outselling its own R1T pickup as well as every one of its EV cargo competitors by a huge margin. Consider that from April through June, Rivian moved more than 4,000 examples of the van, and runner-up General Motors sold just 460 BrightDrops, a vehicle that's already been discontinued. *\[[InsideEVs]()\]* 🔧 BMW is recalling just under 30,000 cars in the U.S. due to a faulty starter relay that could corrode and cause a fire. The 530e xDrive and 740Le xDrive are both impacted. *\[[Reuters]()\]* 🏋️ Subaru also has a recall on its hands, though this one is less dangerous and more amusing. The automaker is recalling 541,000 cars for, of all things, labels bearing incorrect ​gross axle weight ratings. *\[[Reuters]()\]* 💵 California is now offering $3,500 to anyone buying an EV for the first time, covering new cars costing up to $50,000. There is also a $1,750 rebate available to anyone buying a used EV priced under $25,000. *\[[Reuters]()\]* 📐 Infiniti is taking its upcoming QX80 Red Sport back to the drawing board to give it more than simply a lot of power and make it a more formidable opponent to the Mercedes-AMG and BMW M SUVs it aims to compete with. *\[[Automotive News]()\]* *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()