630land

It will be interesting to see if uni-body pickup sells to Millennials or ends up like Scion xD's and Honda Element, favorite for elder drivers.

Peugeot is taking over Fiat-Mopar, so we'll see what's next.

One reason is many car buyers expect discounts and rebates, going back to the 1970's. But, call it an 'SUV' and people will empty wallets. Also, pickups are status symbols, big 4 door 'daily drivers', and again, no one complains about the prices. So, high profit wins, but for how long?

To kick them a bit more Gladiators are novelty-conversation pieces, for Jeep fan boys. The rich guys got all the marked up ones early to show off [example "Hoovie" on You Tube] . The small bed is used for gym bags, Amazon packages, and bicycles [maybe?]. True pick-up customers just kick its tires, get a full sized truck. Where are all the buyers now? Wasn't this supposed to be a "game-changer"? ROFLOL I think the Bronco is a better idea,

Most 60's Impalas were family sedans, not all were manual trans, Big Block SS's, and there were also trims of full size Chevy: Biscayne, Bel Air, and Caprice. The often quoted "1 million 1965 models" included those. Some younger car fans think all old Chevys were "Imaplas", like on those Motor Trend TV "car build shows". Even once heard someone pozt online "Love the 1957 Chevy Impala!"

All the "first on the block" sales have cooled. Chrysler still is the "buy a car, get a check" company after all. The 'FCA' name is on borrowed time, with PSA merger.

This new year, 2020 was supposed to be the "magic time" when 'driverless-electric cars' were going to be "widely for sale". Now, the magic will occur in 10 years. Reminds me of when 1985 was going to be the era of "$5-10 gallon gas, and all small FWD cars" per 1980 Car & Driver articles.

All the above is why Big 3 abandoning cars. With a truck, can do the "high sticker, big discount" trick. So buyers can brag they got "$10k off sticker", and makers can still get big profits.

As someone just said "it gets people talking". Remember, they need to sell products to moneyed consumers, who don't care about "the car hobby" or Oldsmobile/Pontiac/Saturn. 'Hummer' gets average football fans to want to know more about it.

Probably already seen this too, "2022 Fusion Active Prototype" https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1125742_2022-ford-fusion-active-spy-shots

According to Automotive News, Fusion sedan will still be around into 2021. https://www.autonews.com/sales/ford-says-fusion-output-will-continue-least-through-2021 Didn't know if this was posted in this forum. Also from C&D: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27791904/ford-fusion-lineup-dies-2021/

Chicago Auto Show would maybe get a special trim Explorer, since factory is here.?

"Fusion Active" concept?

Too bad they didn't switch the transmissions to more reliable versions in Focus/Fiesta years ago, then could still be viable.

Hoping the current sedan is around until the 'Outback-ish' Fusion is ready?