Nissan’s NISMO Performance Centers Are Finally Popping Up Outside Japan: TDS

Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short—this morning’s car news from around the globe, organized for your quick-look convenience.

Here are the automotive industry and culture stories worth having on your radar as we spin up this Friday, May 22.

Australia is set to become home to one of the first NISMO Performance Centers outside Japan. “These centers will provide a direct link to NISMO’s Omori Factory in Japan, support advanced vehicle restoration programs, and feature factory-certified NISMO Meisters backed by NISMO’s global expertise,” the brand announced. They’re basically OE-supported speed shops—pretty cool! [Nissan]

Bosch will be supplying Mercedes-Benz with a “large volume” of electric motors “into the 2030s.” [Just Auto]

Toyota is playing around with the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell scooter. [CycleWorld]

The Citroen 2CV, an oddball car in America, ubiquious people mover elsewhere, and iconic design everywhere, is being revived as an inexpensive EV to be made in Italy. [Stellantis]

Charlotte Motor Speedway shared a statement from its CEO Marcus Smith on the sudden passing of Kyle Busch, calling him a “champion among champions” and a “once-in-a-generation competitor whose grit, unmistakable driving style and relentless pursuit of excellence elevated him to a place among the very best drivers in our sport.” [Charlotte Motor Speedway]