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ProBowler actually summed it up pretty well. Those resources are not just going to BEVs and PHEVs, they're also being used to develop and launch Bronco Sport, Bronco and a couple of other CUVs/Trucks. Go look at the Fusion market right now. Camcord sales have fallen. Hyundai and Kia are very strong contenders. Nissan is still fleet dumping. It's a very crowded market with lots of price wars and low profit margins. Camcords are probably the only ones making much profit and that's due to high volumes worldwide and highly amortized platforms. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze with all these other new vehicles to design and get out the door right now. They'll be in a good position in a couple of years to bring back Focus and/or Fusion variants if the market warrants it.

I still don't get why Ford ended Fusion production or will end it soon. It's still one of the best looking sedans out there and could still do well with some tweaks here and there. And with upstream oil production being destroyed, the hybrid and energi versions will be missed once oil prices begin the upward march at some point in time. Spending billions on electrification and ending the hybrid and energi Fusion makes no sense to me. A bold refresh with new front and rear clips, 12" touch screen, 8 speed trans, more powerful battery for hybrid and energi, and new trim lines could get the job done. Maybe even an innovative trunk redesign that would allow for bulkier package loading. Something the competition doesn't have and would allow for higher ATP. In my view, you don't have to change the world and try to out musk Musk. It's still the auto business and customers want value for their money. IMO, Hackett needs to focus on the customer more.

I think part the problem your having is that you want a 1990s Era Ranger for 2020+ because you like the one you had... Anyways-I've had the past two generations of Escape and can tell you this much- A 75inch TV BARELY fits into the back of an 2017 Escape-I had to ride in the passenger seat all the way up with my knees up against the dash. My wife who is a foot shorter then me barely to could drive home with it (it was 10 minutes from our house) Looking at the Fiat-you could fit a dishwaster/Washing Machine/Dryer box and most likely a refrigerator standing up in the back of it, if you needed to. You could fit a decent amount of mulch, rock or other things in it without worrying about messing up the interior of your Escape, Bronco Sport or Edge. Like its been repeated here before-this is a product that is purely a lifestyle product or add marketshare at a low cost for Ford. This isn't about fleet sales or the like, like you do with the Ranger or F-series. That is why I have my doubts about this actually being a low end product...I see it being a $25-30K product that helps keep the Ranger ATPs higher. The other thing this will appeal to is people who want a "cheap" truck. I hear this all the time from my father-in-law. People want something basic/cheap-This will meet 80-90% of the needs of the average user that will take stuff to the dump, go on home depot to buy sheetrock/plywood or stone/mulch for their house. The vast majority of the time it will be used as a commuter and won't be nearly as crude as the 1990s Ranger was.

The Maverick would be longer then the Escape/Bronco Sport. The CUV would be shorter then the before mentioned, but bigger then the Ecosport. The Ecosport is really short vs other competitors

It`s getting more and more like the scene in the movie when the Wizard of OZ tells Dorothy, Tin Woodsman, Cowardly Lion and the Scare Crow to "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" Now we have a former group leader trying to say the same thing to the sheepies…. maybe we all can click our slippers together three times and chant "there`s no place like DC" "there`s no place DC" oh shit it ain`t the emerald city and no flying monkeys... but!!!! there`s a witch https://youtu.be/Jly_AhiJnKU

Its the short C/long C play which other mfrs have been doing. Both are C platform but two different lengths.

The future of the automotive industry is 100% electric. Both China and EU have plans to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel powered cars including hybrids by 2040, probably even sooner. Other regions will almost certainly come up with similar plans. Ford must invest in all electric vehicles if they want to remain relevant in the next 20 years.

It's been discussed many times before, and there are reasons why Ford decided to prioritize other vehicles versus updating and continuing the Fusion. I believe it boiled down to not having enough cash to pay for the fusion refresh along with other updates and new vehicle launches, as well as possibly not enough factory space to build it. Someone here will correct me if I miss a detail but that's about the gist of it. I agree with you though, isn't honda, toyota, and others famous for long-life platforms with cheap cost-efficient refreshes and updates? I do think that would have been a far better route to go versus letting it rot and die. I'm sure the drive train is more than adequate for a cheap car today, and with the simple upgrades you mention I think the fusion could still be an attractive option for the right price.

Black Label, Can't agree with you more. Its whatever the wife or kids had on the radio the last time the truck shut off. I turn off the music to hear the sweet spool of the turbo whining. Lol

No flying monkey Decker, but you have those with no brain, no heart, or no courage.

From UAW President, Rory Gamble Sisters and Brothers, I want to address some of the comments and questions I’ve been hearing over the past few days concerning testing for the COVID-19 virus. Last week, UAW International staff members in Michigan received COVID-19 testing as part of a Beaumont Health research project. I have heard some pretty strong comments from members concerning our staff having access to the testing. I want to address this quickly and directly. The UAW, just like the companies, is an employer. And just like the companies, we are responsible for our employees’ health and safety while they are in the workplace. The International staff has had two confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the nature of their jobs requires that they travel to multiple member locations and worksites. In addition, since we are participating in testing, we signed up to be part of this research project (the largest national serological testing study) to help researchers answer the many questions surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and potentially help those infected. Staff received both the nasal swab and serological tests. We must lead by example in this unprecedented situation. We have made it crystal clear to the companies that the health and safety of our members must be the top priority as we plan for the restart of our economy. In terms of testing, I have said to all of our employers that we expect a commitment from them for full testing as soon as it is possible. Until then, we expect as much testing as is possible to be conducted. Ask yourself, can we demand testing and adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards from companies if we don’t comply ourselves? I know emotions are running high right now and there is a lot of misinformation in the media and on social channels about this virus and about testing. But we must remain steadfast and consistent in our position and our actions as an organization. And I can promise you that along with the entire International Executive Board, I am doing everything in my power to protect our entire UAW family. Thank you. In Solidarity, Rory L. Gamble I CALL BULLSHIT!! Research my AZZ!! QQ Rory, YOU HAVEN'T HAD ANYONE ONE DIE FROM YOUR PLACE OF WORK!! WE HAVE. THE HAVE AND THE HAVE NOTS!!!

If someone violates the 6 foot rule, is that a near m8ss?

True, but an AWD Mustang would be cooler though

I searched here and found the place closest to me. Results come in 3-5 days but they told me they've been getting them back within 48 hours because the demand isn't what they thought it would be. https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98189---,00.html

Am I misunderstanding this? I thought we were the UAW? Now we are just the sheep that pay them to have our jobs?

Black Label, I found great washing and detailing tips from Apex. His videos are informative. He also test and proves what soap and waxes work. Its neat when he gets the blow torch out to test the durability of the products. I now use eagle one products b/c of his videos.

Don't know. But a little birdie told me that it wasn't going too good over there. Too many chit parts from vendors.

Just trying to be well informed. And trying to keep my fellow UAW have nots informed. The Mocking Jay. ?

Here's a link to ask questions ttps://uaw.org/coronavirus/#contact Good luck!

Mine got the Gtechniq crystal serum ultra. I did paint correction and the ceramic along with tint and some wrap around the running boards, door sills and front and rear lower bumper areas all for $3k. He coated everything including the wheels. It makes washing the vehicle a breeze. I would not want to clean those turbine wheels without it haha

I think bed extender is a given for this truck. Here is what Fiat Toro looks like with bed extender And the Renualt Oroch

The bigger news is that the Ranger now has the same market share as the Chevy Colorado. That is something comparable.

In transit vehicles are usually listed on dealer websites. Most of the dealer sites will identify them as in transit.

Meant 1 blue ?

Correct, he just doesn't buy the whole BEV circus, believes the public desire for them is over hyped.