passis

Exactly. Ford is not developing B cars, so those plants become useless and need shutting down... unless Ford had interest in converting them to something else: Maverick, CX758/Escape and Bronco Sport are not so low-margin in underdeveloped markets, au contraire... And they could live on for many years after EVs kill ICEs in developed countries.

I think Thailand fits into the Ranger scheme, alongside South Africa and Argentina. Now - with Russia, Brazil and India gone, as we had predicted - the Ecosport is officially dead (it has been a dead horse since it didn't get a new generation around 2018) so the Ranger should be Ford's global vehicle - God knows for how long...

https://fordauthority.com/2021/09/ford-to-cease-manufacturing-in-india-import-iconic-vehicles/

Ford Everest to be made in Argentina https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=pt&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmotor1.uol.com.br%2Fnews%2F529996%2Fford-everest-argentina-2023-ranger%2F

Again, Ford pretended to be doing one thing (now, selling Troller and keeping production) to announce later that they are closing down and sending workers home. They wasted time and effort of a handful of interested buyers to, at the end of the process, say they were not interested in selling the brand... Goodbye, Troller: Ford will end production of the 4×4 jeep brand in September Even with ongoing negotiations for the sale of the plant in Ceará, Ford will close the Troller brand and will not allow the T4 jeep to continue https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pt&tl=en&u=https://jornaldocarro.estadao.com.br/carros/adeus-troller-ford-anuncia-fim-da-marca-cearense-de-jipes-4x4-em-setembro/ Troller: A bad story from start to finish Factory was an exceptional deal for Ford. But it comes out of it as nebulously as it entered. I tell this story https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pt&tl=en&u=https://autopapo.uol.com.br/noticia/troller-uma-historia-mal-contada-do-inicio-ao-fim/ Ceará State criticizes Ford's decision to not sell the Troller brand The note also informs that the "State monitored the sales negotiations, without interference, and remained enthusiastic about the commercial completion until July, when the process funneled with three possible buyers and Ford said it was being attended to, from the point of view of commercial arrangements”. The text mentions that Ceará “reserves the position of maintaining the search for the continuity of the factory for the development of the municipality of Horizonte and the maintenance of jobs”. https://economia.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,governo-do-ceara-critica-decisao-da-ford-de-nao-vender-a-marca-troller,70003806419

And I think that the BS, the Maverick and CX758 would make a profitable trio for Camaçari* and South America - without having to spend so many billions to compensate tax incentives and breaking of contracts... Not to mention the damage to the brand which could have been spared. *Mexican production is not feeding well our region. Ford volumes are extremely low.

If I remember correctly, CX758 was also included in this fast development process

Indeed, very bad decision to have India and Brazil developing different equivalent products. Puma is great (a shame Ford chose the Ecosport for the US market) but everyone says it's too expensive for emerging markets. I don't understand why Ford can't have a competitive global CUV whereas Jeep manages to be competitive with Renegade and Compass in most markets, from N.A. and Europe to India and LatAm. Why does Ford need Puma, Ecosport and all the other BX-mess projects? Anyway, I think Ford Brazil and Ford India go hand in hand, as they share R&D costs... If you want to succeed and offer vehicles minimally adapted to these markets, you can't have one without the other. So the fate of Ford India has turned gloomy since the shut down of Camaçari. The present choreography in India resembles Ford's little dance in Brazil: letting locals carry on "future" projects (Ecosport's n-th facelift), gathering dealers and showing these "plans" (suggesting bringing the Territory from China will be a great hit), denying any rumours on the press, saying they are "committed" to the country... Until one day workers are not allowed into the plants and resale values plummet.

"Earlier this week, there were reports about Ford exploring contract manufacturing opportunities in India. But, according to a new report, the carmaker may be planning to wrap up its India operations completely." https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ford-looks-to-wrap-up-india-factory-ops-soon/articleshow/84421288.cms Well, I guess we know how this ends...

It's a pity that C2 and CD6 arrived a bit late and will not bare as many fruits as it could, due to EV transition.

Ford Credit closing in South America, following India strategy. Ford's Financial Services Division to End Operations in Brazil and Argentina; there will be layoffs. The automaker stated that the decision is aimed at improving the new business model in South America. https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2021/06/28/divisao-de-servicos-financeiros-da-ford-vai-fechar-operacoes-no-brasil-e-argentina.ghtml

If you think globally they could last longer. In many parts of the world, the infrastructure for EVs just isn't there. With a few improvements from time to time C2 could be profitably milked for a while. But I think Ford has decided to focus on more developed markets and BEVs.

This video is already one month old but it's one of my favourite reviews of the Bronco Sport in muddy and steep Brazilian terrain. One may skip the first 22min of the video as it is just a presentation. In the following 10min, an on-raod analysis; and finally some real life off-road. Although you can turn English subtitles on, it will only give you an idea... Bronco Sport may appear as Globo Esporte; Compass may become "purchase" or "shopping" (compras). Anyway, there are some interesting situations in the last 10 minutes, where the BS is tested to its limits in a more tropical environment. The reviewer was impressed, as was the case of anyone here who got their hands on the steering wheel. Only letdowns mentioned are price and brand perception.

Do you think it's enough for Bronco Sport, Maverick and Transit?

Mexican products can reach all of the Americas at competitive prices. Like the Bronco Sport and the Maverick, a new C2 Transit has good potential in many markets, and Ford may stop relying on vans assembled by thrid parties, as is the case of the Uruguayan Transit. I wonder, however, how much production at Hermosillo can be increased at a good cost...