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ExplorerDude

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Everything posted by ExplorerDude

  1. Super Duty gets an “F-150” type of makeover for the 2023MY. This 2022MY update is to keep the Super Duty competitive with the other heavy duty trucks.
  2. Sure....As I’ve said before the MY23 S650 is an all-new generation Mustang with a completely new tophat body on a modified platform, now known as D5. This platform will be heavily modified with some CD6 components mixed in. This generation (S650) is currently projected to have a lifespan of 8 model years and at Flat Rock as of now. The generation after that is officially dubbed S750 and is expected to change platforms. It should launch as a MY31 and while I know that seems far away, it takes time to configure that into Fords future roadmap. CD6 may not be the platform of choice by then and it may move to another plant. Honestly hard to say where it will be by then. Lots of changes happening all the time. Also next generation Nautilus is already done. Will be sold globally everywhere. Think RR Velar with Lincoln styling. I’m sorry to say however it won’t come from current plant. Nautilus will be built and sourced from China for global consumption.
  3. The Maverick is completely a Ford Maverick, no Bronco name to be used anywhere near it. Yes, it will have the XL, XLT and Lariat trims just like the Ranger does. There will also be a Tremor package added 1 year after launch. In terms of looks and how much Bronco Sport parts it will share, it will use the same front door panels, front fenders, glass, windshield etc. I believe it may also use the same hood but headlights, grilles and front bumper will be uniquely Maverick in a downsized Ford truck style. This thing will sell like hot cakes because of size and price. It honestly looks like a mini version of the original Sport Trac. Sport Trac name may live on and appear on the regular Bronco upcoming pickup truck. But that’s 2025ish. Remember Sport Trac was a rugged body on frame vehicle. A Bronco Sport Trac would look to maintain that legacy. As for the Ford Fusion Active aka the Ford Outback, I don’t know where that stands anymore. It’s C2 based, I’ve seen it and it’s gorgeous for what it is, but I don’t know if it makes it out the gate or not. I don’t even think it has an internal model code yet. Slightly concerning....
  4. Nautilus is freshened for 2021MY with new interior, then redesigned for 2024MY with next gen being built in China and imported to the US.
  5. Yes, this is the 2021 Explorer Timberline Fx4. It will have the slight suspension lift, a unique from grille and bumper cover, plus unique rear bumper cover. The interior will also get unique items to set it apart. Hiking boots = more $$$$. It actually looks the best of all current trims. There will also be a 2021 Explorer King Ranch according to the grapevine. The new Explorer is doing really well from a sales standpoint so they want to cash in on the more expensive models as much as possible. Time for the fine tuning to begin.
  6. Remember Ford is was well known for “Outfitters” with their very successful advertising campaign from 1999-2003 dubbed “Ford Outfitters, No Boundaries” I don’t know all of these specific details but I’ve heard that Ford plans a new marketing campaign connection with the Bronco family and adventure gear. Outfitters will be woven into this somehow. It’s exciting.
  7. This is very interesting to me because I haven’t seen anything that corresponds with this in the cycle plan yet. That being said, you can’t find a used Excursion anywhere. People rebuild them, they put new engines and transmissions in them and keep them going. If an Excursion is totaled they scrap the parts for immediate use. If this is Super Duty based again I gotta wonder where they’ll build it. KTP is maxed out.
  8. https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-excursion-trademark-news/
  9. From what I’ve gathered and seen, yes the S650 will be launching for the 2023MY and it’s expected to use the same platform (D2C) which is now called D5. This was done for substantial cost savings. As it is the program is still pretty expensive. But it’s expected to use many CD6 components. Again, apparently using all the CD6 components would’ve made it too big and too heavy. The S650 is basically a new top hat on the same platform with more CD6 components used. I’ve seen a sketch, and it’s not that far off from this article’s illustration. I will say the roofline drops 1 inch to make it even more swept back. It will be gorgeous I can assure you.
  10. Not sure if anyone noticed but Ford has officially combined Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility sales together as one. Makes sense and that will add (on a good year) about 30,000 additional units to the Explorer’s yearly total. It was always silly for them to split them out. But that was more so because of the Taurus and Police Interceptor Sedan.
  11. I think he meant Explorer Sport Trac Pioneer Edition with the upgraded sound system.
  12. Technically it’s an MCA, but it’s significant for both Expedition and Navigator. I mean the 2021 F-150 is a new generation but it’s not an all new truck with the general footprint and cabs all carrying over. One could say the changes the Expedition and Navigator get are exactly on par with the F-150s changes. Both get new sheetmetal from windshield forward plus, new headlights, grilles and bumpers, plus new rear sheet metal on hatch with new taillights. Inside both get new dashboards and new door panels in front row. Yes the new F-150 dashboard will be shared with the 2022 Expedition. There will be powertrain updates as well but don’t know specifics. It’s honestly nice to see the Expedition and Navigator stay fresh right along with the F-150. No more languishing for these beasts seeing as they make so much money.
  13. Not sure what’s planned to be shown in Chicago but in addition, the 2021 Explorer gets the following: - XLT Sport Appearance Package - King Ranch trim - FX4 Off Road trim
  14. Maverick was the original intended name and probably is on some early parts planning documents but that was changed. Again this is going to be called the Bronco Sport. I’ve heard it and I’ve seen the final badging on the Baby Bronco’s body, it’s Bronco Sport. Although personally I liked a Bronco Scout. All 3 Broncos will be showed in the spring at the New York Auto Show as a family.
  15. I agree, I thought that there’d be a refresh as well seeing as the ‘18 Explorer and ‘19 Fusion both got a mild refresh and so did the ‘13 Mustang for their last 2 model years. Again, I hope I’m wrong and they do update the S550 with new bumper covers or lights but I just don’t see any action plans on it.
  16. I don’t see any MCA in the pipeline for the MY21 S550 but I could be wrong. The S550 has an 8 model year lifecycle. The next gen will be a MY23 and it will be an all-new tophat on the existing platform. It will have a 6 Model year lifecycle.
  17. I did hear that the 2020 Escape was originally a bit tougher and beefier from the lead designer but he was told to “tone it down” and make it more car like.
  18. We were told at a recent meeting that we are going to go hard on selling the 2020 Explorer XLTs, supposedly towards the end of the 1st quarter. They said they plan on selling about 80,000 more Explorers in 2020 than in 2019. So you’re looking at them getting back to 250,000 Explorers this year. That was an absolute commitment that they were serious about. As for Escape, they basically indicated that the Escape has moved up market in pricing and that they expected sales to shrink with that change. Looks like they don’t plan on going as volume crazy on Escape. They admitted they overproduced the 2019 Escape. It was quite the cluster to hear this. The Escape matters but I’m puzzled because it doesn’t seem like there’s a plan and there are no decent programs on it. They expect about 150,000 Bronco Sports annually once production with that gets up and running.
  19. Wow I honestly missed that post and that decision must have changed because originally 2020 Fusion and MKZ production was supposed to go until the end of the full calendar year. I’m a little shocked about that one.
  20. All 3 Broncos (Bronco 4-door, Bronco 2-door and Bronco Sport) will be shown together as a family so as not to create confusion. The reveal event we were told was in the spring. So yes it could be NAIAS in June. Last I heard that either the 2021 F-150 or 2021 Bronco family will be at NAIAS in June and the other will get their own event, like the Explorer and Expedition did. That was as of back in October. I’m sure they chose what will be revealed at what venue by now. Bronco Sport will be built alongside the Fusion and MKZ in Hermosillo for about 6-9 months as they don’t have a concrete end date yet. Then Fusion and MKZ will be done, then the next gen Transit Connect and baby pickup will be in there in mid 2021 for the 22MY.
  21. MY2022 Expedition will be given an extensive MCA. New front clip from windshield forward, with new hood, headlights, grille and bumper fascia plus new liftgate and taillights out back. Anyone hoping for a different than F-150 dashboard will be disappointed. It will get a new dashboard but it will be shared with the MY2021 F-150. I will say the MY2022 Expedition MCA is a serious effort to keep the product fresh and competitive.
  22. I’m happy to see Mustang sales spike up 30% in November. It was discussed during a Ford Town Hall that once Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and Taurus were basically gone that we could expect to see regular Mustang sales go up some. Apparently there are some Ford loyalists who want a Ford car and don’t want an SUV so even though the Mustang is a coupe, it serves just as well as a traditional car in that sense for some. That just might steady regular Mustang sales for a while. Again small numbers but meaningful.
  23. Let’s also not forget that the Explorer 4-Door, Explorer Sport 2-door and Explorer Sport Trac pickup were all counted under the Explorer name as well. From 2001 forward they were all considered their own models and not trims.
  24. It will be RWD, with optional AWD. Period. Just like all the Tesla models. There will be a few trims with very limited options. It probably has the least complexity of any Ford in recent years I’ve seen. There will be a base and GT variant. Just like the Mustang. And yes, it will be called Mustang Mach-E. But just like the F-Series Super Duty, expect Ford to basically call it the Mach-E in the same way Ford calls the F-Series Super Duty just the Super Duty. The connection will be there again as part of the Mustang family.
  25. This is definitely the Fusion Active test mule. Next gen Fusion was always planned to move to C2. I don’t know the product development code for this one. But I have seen the mock up early buck. It’s very attractive and is a mix of Fusion, Edge, Escape and Subaru Outback all mixed together. It’s rugged like an Outback but in a classy way. It blends a number of designs well. Make no mistake this will be called Fusion or Fusion Active. I’m not sure how big the market is for this but maybe Subaru’s secret sauce isn’t so secret. Ford needs to market this the right way in order for it to succeed. ive heard either Hermosillo or Oakville as production locations. Not finalized yet.
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