mackinaw

My daily driver (in the summer) is a 29 year old F-150.

Blame Ford Authority for that. They flat out had it wrong. Actually, blame the total lack of fact-checking that takes place on any internet site. The days of getting information right and having it verified by a few sources before they publish is long gone. Now, if you hear a rumor, you post it as fact ASAP. I too, fell for the initial Ford Authority story. But once I saw the GTD, I am incredibly impressed. 800 horsepower, a carbon-fiber driveshaft, rear transaxle, novel horizontal coli spring rear suspension, ceramic brakes...what's not to like?

Some impressive engineering beneath that carbon-fiber skin. And to think that the original Mustang was built on a Falcon platform. What a difference 60 years makes.

The original Taurus of 1985 was controversial and polarizing and went on to define American styling in the 1980's.

Not surprising. The Titan never took off. I'm not quite sure when I last saw one up here in Northern Michigan. Maybe this spring?

For cars, probably yes, but like in the U.S., they dominate the (highly profitable) commercial vehicle market. https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/en/news/2023/01/13/business-customers-help-ford-pro-set-record-eighth-straight-year.html

My family spans the entire political spectrum. We've learned not to talk about politics. See little reason actually. The left-leaning people aren't going to convince the right-leaning people anything. And vice-versa. All political arguments accomplish are bad feelings and damaged family relationships. And at my age, I want to be on good terms with everybody in my extended family, because i have no idea how much time I have left.

Stellantis is getting ready for a strike. They're overproducing everything. The new UAW guy has nothing good to say about the company and Stellantis will probably be the first strike target. Considering how well the F-series is selling, a 75 day supply of trucks is right where it should be.

So people are complaining about a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds?

Just remember where your toilet paper comes from.

Watch the first four minutes of this Autoline Daily. Toyota is in rapid catch-up mode on EV's. http://www.autoline.tv/daily/?p=87785

Toyota was seen as lagging behind on BEV's which prompted a bunch of US hedge fund investors a few months back to demand the new CEO step down. Of course he didn't, but Toyota is now all-in BEV's spending oodles of money and developing several new BEV platforms. https://electrek.co/2023/05/10/toyota-creating-dedicated-bev-platform-next-gen-evs/

Back in the 50’s and 60’s, it was the cubic inch/horsepower wars. Every model year somebody brought out and engine that was bigger and more powerful than the other guy. Now manufacturers are benchmarking the other guy when it comes to the range of batteries, cost, size, how long to charge, cold weather performance, etc. It will be fun watching the manufacturers trying to leapfrog the competition. This should be good for the consumer.

But you can buy the Lightning right now. The Cybertruck and Silverado have just started limited production, and only certain (top end) models. The Ram and Toyota BEV full-size trucks are still years away. Being the first to market (of the OEM's) puts you in the public eye and gives you free PR. Don't discount that.

For me, the 1978/79 are my favorites. Luv that bold grille.

It's nice to read a post from somebody who actually has a PHEV. What you wrote was very informative.

I suspect Farley's comments were a counterpoint to what the new UAW leader has been saying. Reading Shawn Fain's comments, you get the impression he absolutely hates Ford, GM and Stellantis.

I didn't see this. Count me as skeptical.

Toyota's recent dog & pony show was to satisfy some militant investors who wanted to see the Toyota CEO resign because of Toyota's lukewarm support of EV's. Their battery breakthrough made no mention of cost either. A 900 mile range is impressive, but at what cost?

Three little letters why the Mach-E (and others) are struggling.......BYD. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-electric-car-drive-led-by-byd-leaves-global-brands-behind-2023-04-17/

That's the whole thing, nobody knows what it looks like. People see a vehicle buried beneath a tarp and automatically assume the worst because the profile is unconventional. I suspect this EV will be playing to a different audience. Farley has said that customers who buy Ford's ICE vehicles may not like their upcoming EV models. I'll withhold any type of judgement until I finally see the finished product.

We'll have to see what the final product looks like before passing judgement. And as somebody mentioned, the 1985 Taurus was a highly polarizing vehicle, but was a best seller, and made Ford the design leader in the U.S. for several years.

I dearly love to see the Thunderbird resurrected (think two seat sporty car) but NOT as a 3-row battery-powered CUV. Lordy....

Interesting read from Road & Track. GM's Ultium batteries seem to be poorly designed: https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a43978114/gmc-hummer-ev-battery-teardown-proves-our-fears/

Ford is meeting with Wall Street today. Some excerpts from that meeting: "Among the updates shared: Ford is developing a three-row SUV as part of its second generation of electric vehicles. Doug Field, Ford's chief advanced product development and technology officer, teased an "affordable" family vehicle that he described as a "personal bullet train."The vehicle, which is targeting an estimated 350 miles of range on a single charge with a smaller, more efficient battery, is slated to launch in 2025. The SUV would join a new electric pickup truck Ford previously announced it's developing as part of its second generation EV lineup, a project that's codenamed 'T3.' That truck will be built at Ford's under-construction manufacturing campus in Tennessee." https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2023/05/22/ford-executives-to-give-markets-an-update-on-business-plan/70242261007/