Harley Lover

Don't overlook what ausrutherford posted - summer shutdown in July at many plants.

Here:

The description says those are wheel covers.

Not clear to analysts in the industry (GM in 2025): Source is link I posted above.

It's a moot point since (apparently) none of the OEM's that build in North America can meet the domestic sourcing requirement for the minerals in the battery. It's telling that none of the OEM's have made any statements about being able to meet that requirement today, or when in the future they can meet the requirement. GM in particular, since they've trumpeted news release after news release about Ultium (or whatever it's called) - if they could meet the requirement, they would be shouting from the rooftops. The silence is deafening. Edit: Tesla does meet the domestic requirement: https://www.autonews.com/retail/tesla-will-regain-ev-tax-credit-2023-may-not-need-it?utm_source=dont-miss&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20220818&utm_content=hero-headline

Yes. For example:

It would be nice to see some of the Vignale luxury interior bits come over from Europe on the Platinum, but I have zero expectation to see that happen.

Isn't that all essentially 'behind the firewall' support? Where is any mention of 'gotta have' software and programming? Or are you suggesting there will be "Ford Waze"?

I thought the group here would find this interesting - the view from the chip OEM side. The linked article begins with this preface: Here are some quotes: And finally this key observation, which helps explain what Farley has been saying about needing to hire a new kind of employee: I encourage everyone to read this article - it's one of the best I've seen lately in laying out the issue from the side of the chip companies - it explains what lays ahead for the OEMs, particularly as they transition to more EV production. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chip-makers-have-message-car-makers-your-turn-pay-2022-08-03/

What I see missing from the OEM side is the competence to actually create 'gotta have' software features that would create demand on the consumer side. Use navigation as an example - why pay for factory maps when you can use Google or Apple Maps or Waze? Frankly, I would never use an OEM nav map with these superior options available. The reality is that Apple and Google are eons ahead of the OEMs with these consumer features, because they have been supplying them on their phones for years, and refining the product over that time. As someone noted, Ford has a leg up on its commercial offering, and should press that advantage. On the consumer side, they are woefully behind and won't catch up - Apple and Google aren't standing still on their phone offerings.

It doesn't "single out Ford dealers", it's the article from a Ford centric site that singles out Ford dealers. The proposed rule would apply to all dealers: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/06/ftc-proposes-rule-ban-junk-fees-bait-switch-tactics-plaguing-car-buyers

Surprised they didn't haul him to jail and tow the car to impound. Seems like speeding figures like those would merit that response.

Images from Ford:

Disagree on minivans - at least when it comes to Toyota and Honda. Toyota is sold out on the new Sienna hybrid, with waiting lists at dealers. Since Toyota just dropped significant investment into the Sienna to move it to their global chassis (I forget the designation) along with giving it a standard hybrid drivetrain, Sienna isn't going anywhere. If anything, they might add PHEV capability to Sienna from off the shelf parts already in use on RAV4 prime.

Continuing on, here's the image of the Euro Focus interior posted earlier: Note the difference in the IP panel below the screen, different vent locations, and much different IP controls than the 2022 Escape. Now, note the location of the vents in the spy shot of the 2023 Escape image - they seem to be located identically to the Euro Focus image, suggesting that the 2023 Escape dash will mimic the Euro Focus, which is obviously different from the current Escape. Also: the screen shown on the 2023 Escape seems to be a cheapened version of what is shown in the Euro Focus. Oh well.

It's hard to be sure; here's the comparison of the current Escape interior to the spy photo:

Looking closely at the view of the center screen (through the windshield), it appears the Escape is going to get the large screen (and Sync 4) already in use in the Kuga and Euro Focus.

I don't see how this will be any more successful than the Avalon it replaces.

I didn't miss anything - if you believe the 'average' consumer is paying attention to 'peak hours', you have more faith than I do.

Perhaps Tesla didn't get the memo: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technologyinvesting/texas-power-grid-woes-hit-toyota-tesla/ar-AAZAaUo?li=BBnb7Kz

As the monitor quoted in the OP warned, here it comes: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-grid-operator-warns-of-potential-rolling-blackouts-on-monday/ar-AAZqZ9w?li=BBnb7Kz

Most everyone thinks it's an 'ST Line', i.e. the visual bits of an ST but not the performance upgrades.

I *think* that's the single motor version that is being offered first. The dual motor version comes later (I think).

What is the current thinking about what these 2 vehicles will be? Sort of ID 4 sister and a 'sport fastback' version of same?

Wouldn't it almost have to be MEQ? Doesn't Ford have a contractual obligation to use x amount from VW?