zipnzap

It appears to be a redesign of the current Transit.

https://fordauthority.com/2023/10/ford-transit-t8-lineup-officially-launches-in-china/ Or is this just for Asia/Asia-Pacific only?

Any guesses as to what platform this will be built on? https://blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/75669-second-generation-ford-e-transit-may-be-built-in-ohio/

https://fordauthority.com/2023/11/second-generation-ford-e-transit-may-be-built-in-ohio/ It will still see production, but wonder what bearing this may have on future E-Series output. It also seems like the E-Transit will be split from the mainline Transit and built on a different platform.

Malibu made the top 25 best-selling vehicles of 2023 list: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g43553191/bestselling-cars-2023/ https://blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/75551-the-25-bestselling-cars-trucks-and-suvs-of-2023-so-far/

Only two Fords. Shocked at Tesla's placing... 25. Chevy Malibu (111,449 units sold) 24. Chrysler Pacifica (112,198 units sold) 23. Subaru Crosstrek (114,632 units sold) 22. Mazda CX-5 (115,855 units sold) 21. Subaru Outback (122,881 units sold) 20. Jeep Wrangler (126,551 units sold) 19. Ford Explorer (138,132 units sold) 18. Toyota Highlander (138,178 units sold) 17. Honda Civic (146,881 units sold) 16. Honda Accord (152,202 units sold) 15. Hyundai Tucson (153,180 units sold) 14. Chevy Equinox (154,142 units sold) 13. Toyota Corolla (165,693 units sold) 12. Tesla Model 3 (173,500 units sold, estimated) 11. Toyota Tacoma (179,681 units sold) 10. Jeep Grand Cherokee (182,871 units sold) 9. Nissan Rogue (211,091 units sold) 8. GMC Sierra (216,227 units sold) 7. Toyota Camry (217,975 units sold) 6. Honda CR-V (262,351 units sold) 5. Tesla Model Y (284,500 units sold, estimated) 4. Toyota RAV4 (302,831 units sold) 3. Ram Pickup (332,440 units sold) 2. Chevy Silverado (403,403 units sold) 1. Ford F-Series (573,370 units sold) https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g43553191/bestselling-cars-2023/

Reminder that the current Malibu is more than 8 years old and is still selling in large numbers.

Strong Chevy Malibu, Toyota Camry Sales Show Sedans Aren't Dead: These two sedans account for nearly a quarter-million sales through 2023 https://www.motor1.com/news/675819/chevy-malibu-toyota-camry-sales-sedans-not-dead/ Chevy Malibu Sales Place Third In Segment, Outpacing Nissan Altima, Kia K5 In Q2 2023 https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/09/chevrolet-malibu-sales-numbers-figures-results-second-quarter-2023-q2/ I dunno.... I still think getting rid of the Fusion is a mistake... Seems like the segment is a pretty sizable pie to not be getting a slice of. And it's not like GM, Toyota and the like have stopped selling trucks, crossovers and SUVs.

Thoughts on the new M2 Plus, especially in comparison to the F650/F750? https://www.ccjdigital.com/trucks/article/15294574/freightliner-reenergizing-its-vocational-line-with-m2-plus-sd-plus https://www.freightliner.com/trucks/m2-106-plus/ https://www.freightliner.com/trucks/m2-112-plus/

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/27/ford-pushes-back-ev-target-warns-of-wider-losses.html "While Ford overall was solidly profitable during the second quarter, the Model e unit posted an operating loss of $1.8 billion." Yikes...

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/volvo-ford-and-lotus-designer-peter-horbury-has-died https://www.motortrend.com/news/volvo-ford-geely-designer-peter-horbury-passed-away/ RIP

From the the comments section of this article, a look into the mind and tastes, of a "typical" non-fleet van buyer: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/06/chevrolet-express-sales-numbers-figures-results-first-quarter-2023-q1/ Do any of these comments track?

How long can they keep this up? https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/26/23738581/tesla-model-y-ev-record-world-bestselling-car-electric

Damn... https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/26/23738581/tesla-model-y-ev-record-world-bestselling-car-electric

6 vehicles in particular, and stated plans on how to achieve this: https://fordauthority.com/2023/05/some-ford-vehicles-to-have-best-in-class-quality-by-2025/

(Rest of the article): https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-test-small-uk-fleet-hydrogen-fuel-cell-e-transit-vans-2023-05-09/ Same reasons given for why Ford is forgoing BEV instead for fuel cells for the Super Duty. Though, I don't understand why it's a "hydrogen fuel cell E-Transit" instead of simply a "hydrogen fuel cell Transit".

https://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/gm-passes-ford-to-take-no-2-spot-in-ev-sales-behind-tesla-1.6342348 This is just one quarter. I didn't realize Teslas sold that much. Pretty crazy...

Advancements in battery tech and discovery of new materials are currently ongoing/being made at a steady pace. This is something that can be fixed through simple tech advancements, correct?

Instead of going electric, Ford will be transitioning the Super Duty to hydrogen fuel cells: https://blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/75052-instead-of-going-electric-ford-will-be-transitioning-the-super-duty-to-hydrogen-fuel-cells/

I wonder if this is an inherent limitation of electric that can't be engineered out: https://fordauthority.com/2022/10/ford-super-duty-lineup-will-probably-go-hydrogen-before-electric/ Comments section there is interesting nonetheless....

I've seen a bunch of these up close, and even ridden in some. In Asia and Africa, an extended Hiace has always been a 15-seater the size of an Econoline, especially now that the recent redesign has moved away from a cab-over design. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_HiAce The older models have even served as NPR-sized box/flat-bed trucks. For a while, there was also a complete unrelated mid-size version also called a "Hiace", which is confusing. Maybe that's the one that's been sold Europe. Maybe the European market didn't like cab-over.

Isn't the Hiace a full-size?

Ford doesn't sell low-roof Transits in Europe anymore after the 2015 redesign. In fact, that's what what the Custom was created to replace. So there's less overlap there. But Ford introduced low roof Transits to NA after they started producing the Transit here.

Transit Custom: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Transit_Custom Much larger than a Connect. About Chevy Astro and Aerostar size. It was made to replace the low-roof Transit in Europe, but the issue is low-roof Transits are being produced in sold in North America. Another issue is that, unlike the Astro and Aerostar, it's FWD only. T-150 is about the same size as the E-150 (and short wheelbase Express), especially the low roof, short wheelbase version: https://allservicecitgo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hotspot-3.jpg

Maybe Ford is afraid of the Custom cannibalizing T150 sales?