rmc523

I think they were originally intended to be a more global tie up with ROW sales, but then Ford decided to go with their own products ROW and kept it to EU products. Meanwhile, crickets on the product front. Aka, Ford's usual approach of having tepid refreshes, extending out lifecycles 1-3 years too long, and then wonder where the customers go.

They changed over to the new model last year, and I believe there was a stop sale for a bit as well. So far this year, Tacoma sales are up 177% / 38k units for Q1 vs last year. Escape needs a better interior, which has been widely panned since launch. Competitors, which were already ahead, have only moved further away since then. Exactly my point - # of vehicles recalled is more relevant.

toyota faithful will buy it regardless. I'll push back on that because we know that some of Ford's recalls only affected a few thousand units each, so the pure # of recalls doesn't necessarily mean much.....a # of vehicles recalled would be more accurate (and I think someone else took the "lead" from Ford on that right at the end of the year...

That'd look good with SUV proportions (vs. the longer, lower profile Evos got). Combined, Ford is around 70k, 4th place.....the problem is Escape used to be at or near the top on its own.

I wish the lower black part of the lower grille were a bit shorter.....it looks odd to me.

I wish I could get paid for 57 1/2 hours in an 8 hour shift 😛

Not an excuse, just reality that they have access to other arms of their organization that can positively benefit them and allow them to invest more in certain areas than a company would be able to "on its own"...

Except Ford leaves the low hanging fruit there and lets it rot instead of grabbing it.

Ha, I just posted this in the old Lobo thread..... Here it is uncovered. Jury is still out whether it's just an appearance package or if they actually gave it the 3.5 EBHO....the twin exhaust pipes bodes well, but who knows......and a Lobo R would be even better lol Here's the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Totally Undisguised

Here it is uncovered. Jury is still out whether it's just an appearance package or if they actually gave it the 3.5 EBHO....the twin exhaust pipes bodes well, but who knows......and a Lobo R would be even better lol Here's the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Totally Undisguised

How exciting!

I'm still hesitant to narrow the lineup to 2-3 names + suffix (x4 products), but seems that's how they want to do things.....I worry about nameplate dilution. I guess if they're not going to directly replace Edge with an Escape below it, and let BS grow to Escape size, it can work, but I don't want to see 15 "Explorer + ____" models. They could make it: (sub-compact/compact) Bronco Sport (grows to Escape Size and/or keeps the same size, adding a "Max" LWB model to reach Escape size) (large compact/midsize) Explorer Sport (closer to Edge size) (midsize) Bronco (large midsize) Explorer (large / XL) Expedition (+ Max) That was such a stupid name choice.....they've done all this work to clean up their names and make the names global (same product) and/or not use the same names on unrelated products in different markets only to revert back to it. Just using a suffix would've been fine (i.e. Explorer _____ EV) I'd push back in the same manner of when Mach E is touted as an Edge replacement - the form factor is different.....Edge buyers like the additional space over Escape, but don't want something as big as Explorer. We've seen Nautilus doing great, it's sad they couldn't have made a new Edge work. I think that's Ford trying to simplify build combos....I think they went too a la carte with their Bronco "menu" of options that complicated production. How is a V6 based on an I4 design? I think the days of V6s in FWD products are gone (at Ford anyway). The I6 was a rumor a while back, but it was canned.....I think we'll just see modifications to what they have for the forseeable future. Hmmm, I thought I've read that it performs pretty well? Yeah, that product is interesting, though I think it'll be too close to THE Bronco for our market......and at that point, they could've just imported Everest.

That was the first thing I thought too - that was 2 years ago now, and we're still seeing declines.

Also, meanwhile, Toyota is releasing 24 new models in 2026 (it seems they're including new trim packages, but still, it's product). From GR86 to bZ Woodland: Toyota and Lexus Plan 24 New Models in 2026

Meh, the design doesn't do much for me, but I'm sure they'll sell a billion of them. Toyota is managing to make sporty and rugged versions of their compact model to make them more appealing...

If they didn't/couldn't make a CD6 Edge work, they won't do it for Escape.

Yes I agree with that - Ford's problem though is that every time they finally get a good global platform like that, instead of having everything on that platform and sticking with those products (and adding more and/or making models global), they'll cancel nearly everything on it after a single generation, or they will not take certain models global like they should (Edge, Zephyr, Evos to name specific models). They should stick with C2 and massage it for years to come, with consistent product updates until the market warrants swapping to EVs/CE1. I'd like to see a car form factor return....offer a larger compact model, and have a 4-door Mustang take the larger end of the market. Agreed, they should give it a mini Explorer look, and it can be more sleek than the more upright/boxy Bronco Sport.

That's fair, and I'll give them some leeway for situations like that......but, even so, that's also on Ford for poor product planning to wind up with last-minute cancellations and a large variety of product delays and/or cancellations. It's also worth pointing out - as you can see on the chart, supplier relations have been in decline since 2020, and really since 2017 if you pull out the slight increase from 2018-19, so blaming it on the Oakville situation isn't the only part of the story (I know you're not saying that's the only factor). The constant screw tightening affects multiple areas like supplier relations and more importantly from a customer perspective, quality, and we've seen the results of Ford being low in quality rankings.

Also, there was discussion above about C2 being amortized already, but I'd push back a bit and say that if you keep dropping models off the platform, the less economies of scale you'll get.

It'd be nice if Ford can get its act together on something lol.

Expedition had a separate liftglass for years and has had a power liftgate.

I think I agree with the assessment of it being a move to boost inventory ahead of plant shutdown and product cancellation. I didn't realize there was no power liftgate on any BS model. I still disagree with that idea too - the three coexisted for a while, and Edge sales were still healthy.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/ford-escape-will-live-on-for-2026-model-year-after-all/ sounds like escape will escape death for another model year

I get they give you the option for a dealer installed one, but it’s kind of ridiculous that they’re now not including a passenger floor mat in Mustang… https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/only-drivers-side-carpet-mats-are-standard-on-the-2025-mustang/

Toyota Made An Electric Subaru Outback As Powerful As A Supra | Carscoops This is more of a wagony version of the BZ I guess.....and counterpart to that Subaru Trailcross or whatever it was called Gotta love how Toyota was behind on EVs and suddenly they have several. Meanwhile Ford just keeps switching plans and pushing back new product lol.