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“We have to start to get back in love with smaller vehicles,” Farley said in a recent interview with NBC News. “It’s super important for our society and for EV adoption. We are just in love with these monster vehicles, and I love them too. But it’s a major issue with weight.” What is Farley thinking making a statement like that when large vehicles, ie. F Series, generate all the profits for the company. “Let them eat cake” statements like that don’t tend to sit well with people, especially when he can afford to buy literally any vehicle he wants to buy. Americans don’t typically like to be told what to do, so it’s not a good look when I see those headlines popping up. Just because he wants people to adopt EVs since they have spent Billions on them doesn’t mean the people want or have to. I’m beginning to question some of his judgment. https://fordauthority.com/2024/07/ford-ceo-jim-farley-says-people-need-to-embrace-small-cars/

I perceive a cooling or change in lifestyle starting to gain traction. As we travel throughout the Midwest, I'm seeing an increase in the number of RVs of all types for sale in people's yards; they can't all be upgrading. What I'm hearing from neighbors and acquaintances that own RV's ranging from van conversions and single axle hitch mounts and larger is, that it's getting harder to find or reserve camping spots, and insurance has gone up like auto insurance has. All this will have an effect on large van and Super Duty-type truck sales, new and used. Maybe a tandem axle, twin pull-out yanked with a 13mpg dually isn't as relaxing as it first seemed. I think economics and logistics are beginning to have as much impact, more or less, as government programs aimed at electrification. A PHEV and hotel points might be worth considering for some. Included hot breakfast and somebody else does the dishes and makes the bed. Works for me.

I've felt they've been doing the minimum for the past 5-6 years. A lot of wasted opportunities. The Puma for example could have been built in regional plants so Ford can have a competitively priced subcompact for RoW markets. Ford should also understand that it shouldn't sacrifice the RoW just because that specific segment isn't important in America. Ford can probably squeeze more models out of its B-segment platform (which has gained an EV version) for Europe, Asia-Pacific & South America.

😆 “We have to start to get back in love with smaller vehicles. It’s super important for our society and for EV adoption,” Farley told the Guardian. “We are just in love with these monster vehicles, and I love them, too, but it’s a major issue with weight.” https://jalopnik.com/we-have-to-start-to-get-back-in-love-with-smaller-vehic-1851575187

Let's not forget that Ford abandoning that segment made customers migrate to GM and Toyota, those consumers are probably on their 2nd Taco/Canyonrado since 2011...good luck trying to get them to return.

Brand loyalty. Same for Tacoma which has similar issues.

He's not wrong. The maverick is arguably the best truck on sale dollar for dollar, and that's because it gives you everything you want with none of the excess or waste. Smaller cars are what most people actually need, and in this day and age. We need, and want small, affordable, reliable and exciting vehicles. When brands knock it out of the park on all fronts, they're generally rewarded, like with maverick and bronco sport which excel in all of those areas. Give us more of that please.

EV comparison with GM: And comparison of major truck players:

Here are JUNE figures. Yikes, it wasn't a pretty month for most models, especially on the SUV side: Are they still having issues getting F-150s and Rangers to dealers? It's surprising to see Ranger down vs. last year with the new model finally arriving.

Dang, the time between posts on this thread. Threads almost old enough to vote.

I recall @ice-capades posted an article shortly before the contract vote outlining Fain's ties to Socialist movers and shakers. In it, he was shown in accompanying photos with them. It was as alarming as it was enlightening.