92merc

This is a good article on what is going on with the US Government and Ethanol. https://www.thoughtco.com/understanding-the-ethanol-subsidy-3321701

At first, I though that doesn't look that bad. Then I looked at the rest of the pictures. :headsmak: emoji... Needs to be a Bump Side anyway. But I'm biased since I own a '67.

Ethanol production for vehicle use needs to go away. Studies have been done that show the overall gain in lower pollution and lower fuel efficiency isn't offset from what was made in production. Engineering Explained on YT did a nice video with his own conclusions basically resulting in the same thing. The gains aren't worth it. And this was BEFORE CO2 was even considered in the evaluation. The ethanol/corn industry is being subsidized to produce ethanol for cars. Now that CO2 is being considered a pollutant, the government is looking into subsidizing the ethanol industry MORE to capture the CO2 and pipe it underground. A whole lot of farmers in ND and SD are pissed because they don't want CO2 pipelines in their property. Threats of eminent domain are being tossed around to get the pipelines. I know this won't be popular in my state as many farmers produce ethanol corn. But how about we just dump making ethanol in the first place! No more government subsidies means no more making ethanol, means no more making CO2. Reminds me of the old joke. "Guy goes into doctors office. Says 'Doc it hurts when I do this". Doc says 'Well then, don't do that.'"

I never made any statements regarding the market. I was just stating what I want in my next vehicle and how it's looking less likely Ford will be able to fulfill the wish for my next vehicle. I tried to keep my statements basic and personal opinion only.

Those lists are kinda messed up Ford wise. Bronco Sport is shorter than the Escape, but under the "mid-sized". But Escape is under small? And there's no way I'd switch from an Edge to a Bronco. Not even close to the same vehicle. If Escape is dropped, I'll consider a Bronco Sport. If not, I guess RAV4 it'll be. Assuming I can still get either in a non-electric. Hybrid would be fine. I'll be in the market in the next 2-3 years.

So much of that IQS chart doesn't jive with longer term stats. Not saying Ford would move much. But Kia/Hyundia should be in the crapper with engine failures and theft galore. Honda has had issues with their 1.5 turbo engine. Nissan has had issues with CVT's big time.

Getting back to the China and EV market question, it appears the Chinese EV makers have been running a Ponzi scheme. Producing vehicles just to inflate their numbers and gain investment in their own companies. They make a car, then park it in a field calling it "sold". So any Chinese car sales numbers are all suspect at this point. https://insideevs.com/news/672926/china-abandoned-electric-car-graveyard-byd-geely/

Surprised on one has mentioned this one. Still a lot up in the air. But not sure I'm a fan of fixed price model. On the other hand, I've never bought a brand new automobile, always used. https://jalopnik.com/ford-ceo-says-he-wants-to-move-to-fixed-pricing-1850470208

Carnac says "We'll get to it when we get to it."

What you have going on sounds like the water intrusion issue. Loss of compression and I'd bet a loss of coolant too. Check with the Ford dealer. You may be covered by the 100k mile extended warranty due to this block issue, if that is the cause.

I'm wondering if the 2.7 will be the same CGI out of the F150, or if they'll go to a lighter aluminum version. Personally, I'd be happy with the 2.3EB. That's all I need. I'm guessing it'll be the same updated 2.3EB out of the Mustang. Not the old model. Makes no sense keeping the old one around since they already axed it in the Corsair.

One huge thing not being mentioned is the amount of carbon emitted during the manufacturing of the vehicle. I don't recall the numbers, but a TED Talks had a gentleman showing the actual graphs of carbon emissions when you factor in how much more carbon is emitted in the making of batteries vs. an ICE vehicle. Those graphs look good above. But that' totally ignoring how much more in the hole you start with on a EV vs. an ICE. I think this was the one. Guy looks familiar.

I'd much prefer a Mach-E style solution than the Tesla pop out handles. I've heard from quite a few locals having issues with their Tesla handles in the ice locally in ND.

Ford and GM can't afford to make their own batteries from scratch at this point. It also would take far too long to source the materials, and invent your own battery technology that doesn't have a patent on it. And build the whole processing plant. And there are no American companies to partner with at this point. Tesla is the only truly American company making batteries, and they aren't sharing squat. The rest of the battery companies all have Asian connections. It would take 5-10 years for Ford to do this on its own, possibly more. There just isn't enough time to do that.

For my willingness to buy a BEV, yes. But that would have to be 200 miles in ND winter. I've seen some BEV's lose almost 50% range in our cold weather.

Personally, I don't have an issue with how hard Ford is pushing the BEV rollout. If they are going to get a head of the game, they'll need to be out front. It's going to take some time, and resources to get there. But that's the only way the old Three will make it in the long run. I am concerned that Ford will be dropping the ICE market too soon for myself. I get minimal improvements to ICE engines. But I live in the frigid tundra of North Dakota. I may be able to move one vehicle to BEV. Wouldn't really want to right now until range is better. Especially in the cold. But I'd still need my other vehicle to be a ICE/Hybrid to take me on the longer trips. I'm just hoping 10 years from now, Ford still has a couple of ICE choices for me.

Not a fan of the kick up, but I could live with it personally. But with the US Explorer, the L just wouldn't be needed here. We need an Edge replacement. I'd like to see a mid-sized ICE CUV continue for awhile yet in the US.

It also comes down to sourcing the raw materials. China has no issue polluting their environment to mine what ever metals it takes. US, not so much.

Make one of them a 300 inline 6 and I'll be happy!

Well, the Chinese Edge looks better than the 2024 North American Edge. See picture below. ---->

I'm sure the Toyoda fanboi's will love it...

Yeah, a bit too much white in the picture. I liked the chrome bumpers better. Get something in there to break up the mass of color.

How about getting the Aviator off the sh!t-list for least reliable cars??? Hmmm, wouldn't that be good? ?

Don't tell me what I'm thinking! ?

Beg to differ. ?