Volkswagen's Cost-Cutting Crusade Could Doom Jetta, Porsche Taycan and 718: TDS

Volkswagen’s cost-cutting plan could eliminate models across multiple brands, including Porsche’s Taycan, Cayenne Coupe, and the 718 successor, as well as the VW Jetta and Taos. The Drive’s daily roundup, The Downshift (TDS), also cites potential impacts for the Audi Q5 Sportback and Q6 E-Tron Sportback. The update is dated Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Rivian’s commercial van is described as a quiet success, with more than 4,000 units sold from April through June, outpacing the company’s own R1T pickup and EV cargo rivals; General Motors’ BrightDrop is listed at 460 sales and said to be discontinued. BMW is recalling just under 30,000 vehicles in the U.S. over a faulty starter relay that can corrode and cause a fire, affecting the 530e xDrive and 740Le xDrive. Subaru will recall 541,000 cars due to incorrect gross axle weight labels. California is offering $3,500 for first-time EV purchases of new cars up to $50,000, and $1,750 for used EVs under $25,000. Infiniti is also said to be revising an upcoming QX80 Red Sport to better compete with Mercedes-AMG and BMW M SUVs.