ExplorerDude

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So I heard through the grapevine that the 2021 Escape will be getting an emergency facelift to correct the front end that has been disliked by many. Just 1 year into its lifecycle. I have to wonder who they showed this to in a focus group and said they liked it. Wondering if anyone else heard about this?

So I heard through the grapevine that the 2021MY Escape is getting an emergency refresh because there has been a lot of dislike about its new face with the 2020 redesign. Anyone else hear this as well?

S650 should be MY22 believe it or not..... Again this stays on the current platform, this will be a major overhaul with new sheet metal and interior but same footprint and same roof etc. The S750 will MY26 and will be all new from the ground up and probably on CD6 by then.

Bronco Scout (CX430) Bronco 2-Door (U725) Bronco 4-Door (U725) Bronco Fullsize - not approved due to a few reasons, chiefly being lack of production space. If the Expedition and Navigator had their own plant, it probably would’ve been approved. But....they don’t wanted to give up Expedition and Navigator volumes. If they find space elsewhere this may change.

That image is not even close to what the Mustang inspired BEV CUV will look like. It is definitely a sexy CUV with the perfect balance of style and utility. It won’t be FWD. Again, Mustang Mach-E or just Mach-E has been the name that has been in discussion for a while now.

The 2021 F-150 will use the same footprint as the current model. Yes, think ‘09 but the cab sizes arent changing this time. In fact, I believe all the glass carries over. The sheet metal will be changing though.

Perhaps but I’ve seen many things

The Mach E is going to be a show stopper. It is stunning and truly the single greatest design Ford has pumped out in the last 10-20 years. I can’t wait for it to hit the streets. It should use the Mach E name not Mustang Mach E but it’s still TBD from last I heard. Lot of internal debate over it. The 2021 F-150 goes into production in June 2020, way earlier than the last F-150 launches. It could be revealed at the Texas State Fair or in January at its own event. The 2020 Explorer reveal at Ford Field was a test for a large scale stand-alone reveal.

I agree 100%. 8 years is a long time for a generation when the Japanese tend to stay to 5 years max. I wish the next gen Edge was happening sooner but 2023MY is what’s in the cycle plan.

A CD6 Edge is coming but it will be FWD, not RWD. CD6 has 2 variants: 1. CD6R - Explorer and Aviator for MY2020 2. CD6F - Next Edge and Nautilus for MY2023

I hate to say it but I believe this is the 2021MY P703 (Ranger) for the global markets. We will get this exact Ranger here in North America for the 2023MY with some NA specific tweaks. It’s currently in design review/finalization for specific trims so it’s very close to reveal in global markets in the next 18 months.

Navigator/L, Aviator, Nautilus, Corsair and then..... 3 additional utilities, 2 of which are “SUV style coupes”, one being a China design which will be sold here - think kinda like a Corsair size. Lincoln will ultimately have 7 Utility vehicles of varying sizes and styles and no sedans after the CD4 Continental runs its course. Lincoln becomes the civilized American Land Rover.

Navigator/L, Aviator, Nautilus, Corsair and then..... 3 additional utilities, 2 of which are “SUV style coupes”, one being a China design which will be sold here - think kinda like a Corsair size. Lincoln will ultimately have 7 Utility vehicles of varying sizes and styles and no sedans after the CD4 Continental runs its course. Lincoln becomes the civilized American Land Rover.