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rmc523

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Posts posted by rmc523

    Wells Fargo analyst: "Tesla is a now a growth company with no growth"

    in E.V. Central

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ice-capades said:

     

    Except it's a matter of tax credits, not rebates. Also have to wonder how many customers were able to utilize the tax credits and to what extent. Even so, I have to think that many of those that were able to take full advantage of the tax credits didn't need them and could afford the vehicle anyway.  

     

     

    Sadly, a lot of people view the credit as just that - knocking $7,500 (or whatever figure per manufacturer) off the sticker price, so they go in and realize that's not true, but rather the tax credit....that'll kill interest too.

    • Like 1

    2025 Ford Expedition Interior Spotted

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    12 hours ago, T-dubz said:

    I like it. I’m curious what will be below what we see in the picture and how the rest of the center console will look like. Comparing to the new explorer, it appears all the buttons the explorer has are present within the dash of the expedition.  With the rotary shifter now in the dash, there’s a whole lot of space they need to fill. I guess they will have the drive mode selector down there and some wireless chargers maybe.

     

    Cupholders, charging pad, and additional storage I'd guess.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them embed drive modes into a menu cluster instead of having a full rotary dial for it.

     

    17 hours ago, joseodiaga4 said:

    Agree but at this point I think the design is also important not only materials, etc. The new interior is the highlights on the current reviews so why throw away all this momentum.

     

    Also, the QX80 and Escalade are Navigator competitors.

    The new Tahoe and Suburban don't have it, and I don't think the Yukon will (I suspect it will have the Sierra EV interior).

     

    I understand the argument, but why don't we wait and see how they differentiate the two before panning it?

     

    Plus, they're just supposed to purposely sandbag Expedition for Navigator?

    I feel like there are additional tech ways they can differentiate the two as well, such as letting Navi play movies on the passenger side with some trick displays - whether they do this, we'll see, but they can certainly make changes while still having the same bones.

    Wells Fargo analyst: "Tesla is a now a growth company with no growth"

    in E.V. Central

    Posted · Edited by rmc523

    12 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

    Well let's cut them a little slack. You have to look at where the industry was a few years ago. Practically every EV being released was having waiting lists, they were being sold at a massive markup. So we can't really blame people from a few years ago making predictions driven by current trends that turned out to not be accurate long term. Hell, I was guilty of that myself. 

     

    When Ford was expanding production of the lighting and mach-e, I thought they were going to be run away successes. I'd say they were still successful, just not to the degree I, and others, thought they would be. 

     

    Not if they looked at it realistically rather than "we want this to be the answer, so lets find data that supports it."

     

    They purposely ignored factors that affect the vast majority of the population that would negatively impact EV sales just to fit the mantra of EV sales will take over immediately.

     

    Also, going from relative 0 to where were at now was obviously going to be easier (massive growth rates) than shifting the entire industry/market overnight like they were predicting.

     

    It truly never made sense, even if they wanted it to.  (Most) Tesla fans/buyers do not represent the industry as a whole - there's a lot of "Tesla can do no wrong" buyers there that doesn't translate to other brands.

    • Like 5

    2025 Ford Expedition Interior Spotted

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, joseodiaga4 said:

    Yeah a radical departure although I have to say I don’t think it is a good idea to give. Ford product the same interior design as the new Lincoln.

    the first time in a long time we don’t see Ford mentioned in a Lincoln vehicle review and the plan is to take away the differentiation? 

     

    I do agree with the concern of differentiation.  BUT, the Lincoln can do things like the Nautilus' hidden vents (controlled by the center screen), materials, etc. to differentiate.  

    Plus, look at the leaked QX80 photos, and the Escalade refresh photos - it seems like the full width screen is coming to most vehicles, so the argument can be made that that'll just be the norm going forward?

    2025 Ford Expedition Interior Spotted

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    This is a radical departure for the Expy, and you can see the Nautilus (and Navigator) full width screen peeking through at the top of that upper photo (which I actually didn't notice the first time glancing at the photo set).

     

    I'm glad to see them move away from the F-150-adjacent interior for Expy.  Hopefully it'll start to make a dent in the GM triplet numbers.

    • Like 2

    Ford May Postpone New EV Launches Amid Strategy Reboot

    in E.V. Central

    Posted

    7 hours ago, jpd80 said:

    Correct, Instead of beating up on the source we should wait for confirmation.

     


    I’ve always felt his info was true - at some point and/or that pieces of his info were true, but perhaps the pieces were put together wrong.

    i don’t think he’s ever made things up just to be “the source.”

    but what I think happens is that plans change since he got the info (we know how Ford likes to take a “spin the wheel” approach daily with its plans), so that by the time he shares it, the info - or at least parts of it - become outdated, OR that he misinterprets some things, that then result in speculation that winds up being off.

    The problem was he viewed his info - and perhaps more importantly, his interpretation of that info - as absolute gospel.  If he were here and we for example pointed out that contractors are there now (as some have above), so his timeline doesn’t make the most sense, and that maybe some bits and pieces of what he shared may have gotten crossed up which then paint a slightly different picture than reality, he’d have gone on a tirade that none of us know what we’re talking about, his info is the only correct info, everything else is wrong.

    • Like 7

    Ford Sales February 2024 - Up 10.5% Overall

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    13 hours ago, silvrsvt said:

     

    Mine went up $4-5K for a lower end model that you can't even get the 2.7L V6 in anymore. 

     

    But also at some point in time, Broncos where commanding anywhere from 10-30K markups on them, no matter what the model. 

    True about the markups.  But the problem there is you had the “gotta have it”’s buying initially, which was going to wear off at some point.  Unless it was production issues leading to low inventory (doesn’t seem like it), I think the “gotta have it” buyers have gotten theirs already so we’re getting into the territory of needing sustainable sales, and constantly jacking up prices for no added value is not a recipe to have sustained sales

    • Like 4

    Ford Discusses New Affordable EV Platform

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Rick73 said:

    I don’t have a crystal ball, nor does anyone else here for that matter, but I would bet the sweet spot dimensionally for an affordable BEV will be roughly Civic or Corolla in size but about a foot shorter due to electric packaging advantage.  That’s what is expected from Tesla for Model 2, and what other manufacturers will likely try to copy for North American market if Model 2 is successful.  Anything smaller won’t have much mass appeal, and larger will add costs making less affordable to masses.  Unfortunately, it will be a gamble because Ford and GM can’t wait for years to see if a smaller Tesla is successful.


    americans don’t like small cars unless they HAVE to.   Why would you take one of the smaller sized segments on the road and cut a foot off of it just “because”?

    people don’t want cars that small.

    • Like 1

    Ford Sales February 2024 - Up 10.5% Overall

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    12 hours ago, akirby said:


    The answer to almost everything sales related is price.  As prices go up sales go down because the number of potential buyers at each price level drops.  I don’t blame them for raising prices initially when dealers were getting $10k - $20k ADMs plus inflation.  But it’s time to make adjustments and find the sweet spot between profit and volume.

     

    sure but like my earlier example a trim equipped the same exact way increases price by $8k in 2 years with little to no changes, that’s ridiculous.
     

    4 hours ago, fordmantpw said:

     

    We loved ours!  Ours was one of the first, an '09 model.  We drove it for 127k miles before downsizing to an Escape as our kids got older and we didn't need the 3rd row anymore.  It was ahead of its time with the luxury-like interior.


    I loved mine too - it was also an ‘09 and had over 150k miles on it when I sold it.

    • Like 3

    Ford Discusses New Affordable EV Platform

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Rick73 said:


    Reports indicate R2 won’t be available until first half of 2026, which is two years away.  R3 will likely follow by another year.  If Rivian only has 18 months of money left, they will be hurting unless they secure additional funding.  Read somewhere that Rivian projects flat sales through 2024.  That also won’t help with cash flow or attracting investors.  A lot of these companies are overly optimistic, so flat sales could easily become declining sales.  My first thought about revealing R3 and R3X so early was that it was mostly to attract investor interest.

     

    For what it’s worth, shape of R3 and R3X from side look like a car from the 80s, maybe the VW Rabbit?  I don’t know, it just doesn’t look right to me.  Looks dated.  I do like interior with fold-flat seats to improve utility.  Ford could do the same since they have folding front seats already in smaller Euro Transits.

     

    From tech standpoint I like Rivian’s use of 4695 battery cells.  It may add 15 mm (0.59 inches) in height over 4680 cells, but allows for a lot more battery capacity in compact vehicle because of their limited footprint.  It would not surprise me if other manufacturers like Ford and Tesla start using 4695 cells in smaller vehicle platforms also.


    I actually like the profile and look of the R3.  It looks more unique vs something g like the ionic 5, which looks too 80s sci-fi 

    Ford Sales February 2024 - Up 10.5% Overall

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

     

    16 hours ago, silvrsvt said:

    Bronco Sales are starting to dry up, guess the gotta have its got it and with high interest rates and prices going up, demand is starting to fall. I see plenty of stock on the lots these days. 

     

    I think pricing has a lot to do with it - my same trim and options on Ford build and price is listed at $70,275!!! and that's before taxes, etc.  Mine 2 years ago almost to the day was $62k out the door including extended warranty.  And nothing has been added to justify that extra cost - maybe the Hoss3.0, but that is NOT worth an extra $8k before taxes and additions.......just insane.  I'd have had to downgrade a trim or two if I was purchasing now.

     

    5 hours ago, Gurgeh said:

    The more I think about it, the more I think that February (and probably March) Nautilus sales might end up being outliers. In addition to the dual impact of great deals on remaining 2023 stock and the arrival of the all-new 2024s with their initial hype, there's the fact that there was a substantial backlog of factory orders for the new Nautilus (some, like mine, going back to months before production even began) that are all arriving in a bunch. I do think this product will have legs if Lincoln promotes it well. It is absolutely stunning, the interior is like no other vehicle on the road, and it drives like a dream (especially the hybrid). I'm losing track of the number of people who I see peering at it in parking lots or who come up to me and ask me about it. The smartest thing Lincoln did in packaging the vehicle was including a ton load of standard features, making the lower more affordable trims highly desirable, and then making the hybrid option an affordable stand-alone that can be gotten with any other trim or package. It might not be until April or June until we see if these kinds of sales have legs -- and if Lincoln will be able to respond quickly enough to demand if it stays high, given the long transportation delay.

     

    Yeah, I'm sure the numbers will drop back to "normal" figures, but it's nice to see the model seemingly gain some traction - Lincoln could use some positive momentum, especially with a dry upcoming pipeline aside from the warmed-over Aviator and new Navigator.

     

    4 hours ago, Gurgeh said:

    ...and the press embargo gets lifted next Thursday. But yikes, with a 3+ month logistics chain needed to get new product from China, if the demand is strong will Ford be nimble enough to respond to it?

     

    I saw one on the road the other day, it looks fantastic - so odd that a press embargo would be lifted well after the vehicle went on sale to the public.

     

    7 minutes ago, jpd80 said:

    And on the Ford side,
    Last month, Edge had 13,300 sales, a well aged vehicle due for replacement,

    I find it so strange that Ford is now more than happy to throw that away…

     

    It truly doesn't make sense...

    • Like 4

    Ford Discusses New Affordable EV Platform

    in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum

    Posted

    15 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

    I'm calling it now, dodge and Chrysler will be dead within ten years. Ram and jeep with live on. But all dodge makes now is an uncompetitive three row Durango, and muscle cars, which are probably gonna struggle now that they're electric and 6 cyl only. 

     

    Chrysler seems like a lost cause, especially with the Airflow being canceled for that weirdo looking concept.

     

    Dodge just added Hornet, and a new larger Durango is supposedly on the way (rebodied Wagoneer), with a new "Stealth" model slotting where Durango currently occupies.

    I'll still never understand why they broke Ram out of Dodge - it never made sense.

     

    3 hours ago, GearheadGrrrl said:

    As Trader 10 noted, a 2024 Fusion would have about the same or higher ATP as a Maverick. And unlike the Broncos and other "icons", it would have regular predictable sales that can keep an assembly line busy for a decade.  

     

    Predictable sales?  In the last 5 years, the midsize sedan segment dropped 2% overall market share (all model types).  That's the opposite of predictable.

    Ford May Postpone New EV Launches Amid Strategy Reboot

    in E.V. Central

    Posted

    On 3/1/2024 at 3:15 PM, jpd80 said:

    Precisely and I think this underscores the value of projects like the skunkworks at Irvine

    developing compact BEVs. Major projects often get bogged down on product envelopes 

    but I feel like that’s of less importance when you’re not try to build something for everyone.

    There are certain valuable niche vehicles/segments that Ford should go after and back itself.

     

    I do wonder if some of the delays with future BEVs has to do with Ford continually discovering 

    better more efficient ways to design and develop products. Maybe done with fewer impediments 

    exactly because it isn’t trying to chain itself with how it currently builds and uses parts suppliers.

    Maybe it’s also an evolution process that Ford explains to itself why many of its current staff

    may not be required  in the near future…

     

     

    The problem is, they'll constantly be finding ways to do it more efficiently.....at some point you need to come out with product and THEN improve it.

     

    It's like if you want the new iPhone, you can always make an argument for "I'll wait for the next one" ....except you do that for a few years and suddenly you have an iphone 7 that barely works when they're on iphone 54......at a certain point you just need to pull the trigger and make improvements from there.

    • Like 2
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