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2005Explorer

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Everything posted by 2005Explorer

  1. Henry Ford would be rolling in his grave if that happens because the Ford brand was always supposed to represent affordable transportation for average people. I know they want to push way upscale to focus on $85k+ large loaded trucks and SUVs, but we are one recession away from those rotting on the lots. It is important they remain a full line automaker. People are hungry for affordable vehicles and Ford needs to offer them along with their loaded $85k large trucks and SUVs.
  2. The CD3 (Mazda 6) based Fusions (Milan MkZ) were some of the most reliable cars Ford ever built. I still see a ton of those cars on the road.
  3. They need to adjust focus to more hybrids right now. Hybrids can go a long ways to improve MPG to meet the new CAFE standards. They also reduce emissions and are a good step forward during this transitional period. I’m not against BEVs, but I feel the transition is going to go MUCH slower than previously thought.
  4. Pontiac called from the casket and they want their vehicle profile back
  5. Ford could sell double the number of Mavericks if they could build them. Although it's assumed around here that everyone is rich and $70-80k F-150s are no issue for middle class Americans the country is hungry for affordable vehicles that have real value built into them. I've asked a few local dealers what is the most requested vehicle people ask for when they come in and they all reply Maverick. They don't have any to sell. Ford needs to build more especially in this time of high interest rates and out of control vehicle prices.
  6. Granted the Maverick is more affordable, but compare Maverick sales to Santa Cruz sales. The Maverick looks like a little pickup truck which people really like. The Santa Cruz looks like a weird lifestyle vehicle with a bed. The Maverick way outsells the Santa Cruz. I have not seen any surveys indicating that styling is a big factor, but I would not be surprised if it didn't top the list right behind value for the money.
  7. Maybe you don't need to keep it at 80-100%, but if you're a person that lives anywhere in a rural area and an unforeseen emergency arises it's not a 5 minute fill-up at a 24 hour credit card gas station either. There are a lot of people that want their vehicle ready to go in a moments notice and a charge that's too low in an BEV isn't a quick fix like an ICE or hybrid.
  8. Those socialist activists would much prefer all corporately owned automakers go away and be replaced by one US Government owned and run automaker.
  9. It would seem to me that if the UAW gets a contract that’s not sustainable over the long term by the automakers they’d be better off just expanding production in Mexico. I’m all for the workers making more and keeping up with inflation, but at some point if the labor cost doesn’t allow the manufacturers to be competitive with non-union companies we’ll definitely see more models switch to Mexican production.
  10. I think at this point people need to start asking the real motivation behind Mr. Fain's desire to destroy the automakers. Who's pulling the strings above this person? Who's he really working for? Is it the UAW employees or is it other interests that gain to benefit if the US automakers are harmed beyond repair.
  11. If you don't like or trust a turbo get the 5.0 V8. I would assume except for a single cab or SuperCab 4x2 the 3.3 NA V6 had to be underpowered.
  12. If they want to make these into true off-roaders they need to get the weight down. The curb weight of the current gas Raptor is already knocking on the door of 6,000 lbs. Now figure the difference between a regular gas F-150 and the Lightning and you'd end up with a Raptor knocking on the door of 7,500 lbs! I mean it's not the 9,000 lbs of the Hummer, but 7,500 lbs is a very porky off-roader. They get much heavier your gonna need to call out an Army M88 to recover them when their stuck in the mud. ?
  13. Or fake just like truck nuts and simulated woodgrain. I think electronic fake engine noises on EVs will end up like those simulated products did and that's nothing more than a good joke or meme. If the engine isn't making the noise it's absolutely pointless and laughable.
  14. Ok so it's a fancy noise maker that serves no real purpose. If the noises don't make the car go at best it's a novelty item.
  15. Muscle car enthusiasts who enjoy modifying their cars and wrenching on them are going to be wowed by MP3 fake engine noises being played through speakers?
  16. That's all great, but you have to be able to sell all of them and preferably at full MSRP without any discounts. Everyone else including media sources claim that EVs are hitting a tough spot in sales right now (especially Ford models) and you're claiming they are selling so hot they can't even keep them on dealer's lots and people are paying full price for every one because of high demand. So what's the truth? This is the old "build them and they will come" idea, but we'll see how it goes longer term. I still think adoption is going to be MUCH slower then the government or industry is planning for right now.
  17. Ford is never going to say they've dropped prices to try and increase demand because that would slap the failed product label on the Lightning. There is no doubt in my mind that once the early adopters are filled up that's when it'll become harder to sell these. I know the plan is to increase production, but is that realistic? The only thing that will speed up adoption of BEVs in the US is the government forcing adoption whether people like it or not. Of course that all depends on what party is running what at the time, but it's going to take an ICE ban. If the market is left free people are going to keep buying gas vehicles.
  18. It ended up getting a full 5 model year cycle. Not bad for something that was originally just supposed to be a temporary "stop-gap" model. A bit over 350,000+ were produced. I had a 2019 SuperCrew FX4 and now have a 2022 SuperCrew Tremor. No complaints. Both proved to be very capable, well built, and reliable midsized trucks.
  19. The current Ranger saw sales hit 10,000 a month very few times in it's 5 year run and it's best year was just over 100,000 in 2020. With the competition putting more effort into the midsized market with more combinations and better pricing not to mention the much more affordable Maverick sharing the showroom I think this Ranger will be a slow seller. Does Ford care? Not really. I like the Ranger, but definitely an afterthought vehicle. This one is even more so then the previous one when you consider they actually did a big marketing campaign for the 2019. Most people probably don't even know a new Ranger is coming. Ford almost seems embarrassed to market it against the competition. Not a good start to a new vehicle line. The 2019 had a much stronger start and people were a lot more excited.
  20. I actually prefer the unique styling of the current Ranger over the "Maverick meets F-150" 2024, but I'm probably in the minority when it comes to that. The current Ranger fits in a lot more with the '97-'03 F-150 aero styling then it does with the current boxy Ford truck look so I get the change. It was the odd man out in the Ford truck line. You are correct that the 2022 Tremor is an excellent riding vehicle. Hopefully the 2024 fixes the "1970s sedan" ride of the previous FX4. I owned a 2019 FX4. Great truck, but rode like a boat on water. It leaned in corners and would nose dive like crazy on hard braking. The new interior is definitely an improvement, but the current one is durable and easy to clean. It's definitely "commercial vehicle" in it's appearance however so the '24 will be a welcomed change. I'm definitely not as wild over the ever growing in size touchscreens that the general market is going wild over these days. I'm sure the 2024 will be a good vehicle as long as reliability doesn't take a hit. Ford doesn't always have the best track record when it comes to first year redesigned vehicle reliability. My previous 2019 and current 2022 Ranger have been extremely reliable with basically zero issues.
  21. Considering the price increase, less combinations and a carryover engine (at least for now) with a lighter duty transmission, it's not surprising it's a slow seller as far as pre-orders are concerned. There is nothing in the 2024 Ranger that would make me want to trade my 2022 Ranger Tremor for one. The only exception is the Raptor which will be pretty much impossible to get unless your willing and able to fork over tons of money above MSRP.
  22. I was just looking at a few 2023 Rangers that are showing up on my local dealer’s website and they have some with a mid June 2023 blend date so they are still building 23s.
  23. Other then the changes to the rear suspension isn't the Bronco chassis for the most part just a chopped down T6?
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