7Mary3

Looks like an old test mule that has not had the camouflage removed. Now awaiting crash testing or scrapping.

The drawing looks like it would represent a logical design for a BEV pickup that is not a compromised conversion of an existing ICE truck.

Because there just isn't much money in it. Volvo offers no medium duty trucks and the one Mack builds is an oversized expensive tank that doesn't sell too well. Good chassis for a 5 yard dump but that's about it.

Are you sure? Does look photo-shopped. Wonder why would they stick a shopped image in that video?

The updated E eries looks like it has a longer nose.

That is ridiculous. Why not dump the Escape altogether and build more Bronco Sports?

Hope I didn't speak too soon: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-plans-dramatic-reductions-product-complexity-exec-2023-04-05/

Ram also offers 'New Holland' blue too! Why? Because New Holland is part of CNH as well. No such thing as a Ford tractor anymore, the Ford agricultural legacy belongs to CNH.

https://www.truckinginfo.com/10195809/epa-enables-california-to-enact-its-strict-truck-zero-emission-rule

Currently constrained from what I understand.

Well, throughout all this ongoing turmoil at Ford I am NOT presently hearing any rumors of the 650/750's demise. Maybe they are making a bit of money on them, and/or someone sees these medium trucks as a necessary part of 'Ford Pro'.

Might not be there yet, but I think with advancing battery technology a BEV Super Duty will be reality in 10 or so years. Even California has set 2045 as a TENTATIVE date for a zero-emission truck mandate. Who knows, if BEV's passenger vehicles are widely adopted in the next few years there may be less emphasis on abandoning ICE trucks altogether, particularly if advances are made in fuels.

I'll bet the vehicle spec. writer for the Abington FD purchasing department will write Ford out of any future ambulance purchases. Once those customers like that are gone good luck getting them back.

FWIW, GM is developing a hydrogen fuel cell medium duty. From what I understand about it, the truck will be offered in both fuel cell and straight EV versions. Covering their bets.... https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/04/gm-is-adding-to-two-new-zero-emission-commercial-vehicles-to-its-lineup/

Maybe...

I just received a catalytic converter assembly for a 2016 F-250 6.2L that I ordered in early October. These situations are all too common with Ford these days.

Did the guy here who ordered a Bronco only to have the dealer slap a huge ADM charge on it when it arrived ever get one? I think he got Ford involved in the issue.

I think Farley is drawing inspiration from Roger Smith at this point. Reorganization is the answer to all problems.....

One of the older Ford dealers in Los Angeles was City Ford near down town. Sometime in the early 70's they opened up a medium/heavy truck facility on Alameda Street on the industrial side, a few blocks away from the GMC factory branch and a big International dealer (and a short distance from the Los Angeles Mack plant, but that's another story). The showroom, offices, and parts departments were on the south end, the rest was a row of large service bays with doors on both ends. It may have been one of those Ford specific designs, pictures of that service facility actually appeared on the back of several Ford truck sales brochures. City Ford eventually bit the dust but the truck dealership lived on as Alameda Ford Truck. By the late 80's it became the Alameda Truck Center, a Volvo/WhiteGMC dealer along with Ford (the GMC dealer had moved to Sante Fe Springs). That too went under but eventually it reopened for a while once again as a regular Ford dealer when Sopp Chevrolet of Huntington Park aquired a Ford franchise. Sopp closed it's doors around the time of the banking crises in the late 2000's, and since then the building has been 'repurposed': https://goo.gl/maps/nK1CWAGhqm3BKwBT7

Here is another interesting article from 'FordAuthority': https://fordauthority.com/2023/03/most-ford-driveshafts-arent-being-purchased-by-car-shoppers/#comments I'll bet that 75% of those 300 driveshafts are for the F-650, 750, and F53. Thing is if Ford wants to be a big player in commercial trucks they are going to have to accept some complexity.

In other news, anyone hear about the new 'Elite Commercial Service Centers'? Supposedly (at least according to 'Automotive News' and 'FordAuthority') Ford dealers with sufficient commercial business are being asked to invest in this new program to the tune of $9-15M to provide dedicated service facilities to commercial customers. Ford will assist dealers $250,000 to $300,000 to build the required 24 large service bays, provide 5+ mobile service vans, and stay open 72 hours per week. There seems to be nothing in this about making new commercial trucks more available or shortening delivery times, nor any mention about Ford's problems with backordered replacement parts (BTW, I have been waiting for a catalytic converter since October...). Coming from a fleet perspective, I don't see much chance of success for this program. I don't see many dealers going for it in the first place and there will be little chance the operation will be cost-competitive, particularly considering the cash outlay the participating dealers will have to front. Sure, a lot of fleets will use it for warranty, but after that good luck. And we know how generous Ford is to dealers when they perform warranty work.

I would guess a lot! Probably why the truck is based on the 19,500# GVW NRR and not the NPR. Interesting it will be available with 3, 6, or 9 battery packs. Buyer can tailor the truck to their own GVW and range needs.

Cummins: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230308005143/en/ Isuzu: https://www.isuzucv.com/en/nseries/nseries_ev

I hear many people say that since since there are currently no or few EV chargers in my area, EV's will never be practical. Remember that the number and location of charging locations are in part a refection of where and how many BEV are in use in a given area. As BEV's become more popular more charging stations will be built. May not happen overnight, but it is happening. Would not at all be surprised to hear someone one day say they will not buy an ICE vehicle because the nearest gas station is 40 miles away.....