[North American Edge to be replaced by EV]

49 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

In fairness, EVs have been around for over 100 years, so “infancy” is relative and in my opinion applies more to lithium battery technology than it does EVs themselves.  As much as automakers tried with cars like GM EV1, lead acid batteries were so limited in range and power that it killed any hope of success.

 

I agree with your other points though I question if much more than 300 miles will be needed when charging locations are plentiful and speeds are in 800~1,000 MPH range; which is already available.  Some cars can already gain +/- 3 hours of driving (200 miles) in about 15 minutes.  More and faster is better but on practical level some cars are already in diminishing-return zone.

There are a few more issues than you alluded to. Electric vehicles are expensive. The average price of an electric vehicle is about $18,000 more than the average price of a gas vehicle, and profits have been elusive even at that price point. If electric vehicles made significant environmental progress, that would be one thing. But they don’t. Electric vehicles are not “zero” emissions—they create more emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles when they are produced, and they also cause emissions when they are charged, usually by using electricity generated by burning hydrocarbon fuels. Mining for many of the materials needed for an electric vehicle battery is done nearly exclusively overseas and is dominated by China. America’s lone lithium mine is responsible for about 2% of the world’s annual supply. Traditional cars have never been cleaner: Even President Barack Obama’s EPA head noted they are 99% cleaner than they were just a few decades ago. And let me be clear, I am disproving their argument because I can also disprove the climate change hoax. Not only will electric vehicle mandates cost us more at the dealership, but they will also destroy American jobs. By limiting choice and increasing costs, fewer people will buy cars, hurting auto manufacturers and dealers alike. Auto mechanics, masters at prolonging the life of the internal combustion engine, will also be impacted. America’s farmers would be devastated since more than a third of the corn crop ultimately goes to biofuels. And America’s oil and refining workers would face a heavy blow. That is a huge issue in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, since all three have major oil refineries and form the epicenter of the refining industry on the East Coast. Before 2021, America was leading the world in oil and fuel production, and we had finally achieved what every president since Richard Nixon dreamed about: energy security. Manufacturing jobs like those found at auto plants and refineries support dozens of other jobs and are the foundation on which an economy can be built. The oil and natural gas industry supports over 700,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Why destroy those jobs? Jobs are often impacted by technology, and if electric vehicles end up being a consumer’s choice, that is understandable and the price of progress. But if people want to continue buying internal combustion engine vehicles, these workers could continue to serve their neighbors and provide for their families for decades to come. Internal combustion engine vehicles offer superior range, convenience, and durability at an affordable price. The median internal combustion engine vehicle has a range of 403 miles compared with the median electric vehicle at 234 miles. Extreme weather conditions negatively affect EV’s. And using the heater can reduce that range by some 40%. That means more frequent stops for electric vehicles to charge, and they take much longer than filling up at the pump. Raw materials needed for batteries are extracted at a high human and environmental toll. This includes, for example, child labor, health and safety hazards in informal work, poverty and pollution. Second, a recycling challenge looms over the eleven million tonnes of spent lithium-ion batteries forecast to be discarded by 2030, with few systems in place to enable reuse and recycling in a circular economy for batteries. Most manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries takes place in China, South Korea, and Japan, where electricity generation remains dependent on coal and other hydrocarbon fuels. And how about a $42,000 repair after a very minor accident? Yep, brought to you by the EV. The most brilliant inventors in human history lived 110-140 years ago. We continue to use many of their inventions. They all passed on the EV’s. There are definitely strong reasons to follow their wisdom and judgment. https://rumble.com/v30licc-evs-are-goldilocks-cars-not-too-hot-not-too-cold-or-they-dont-work.html

[2023 Escape Orders & Discussion]

I ordered an ST-Elite Hybrid on 09/26/2022. It was placed in scheduling for the week of 01/09/2023. It was then scheduled to be built on 01/11/2023. I have not been informed of any deletions or delays. The vehicle is to have the following packages/options:

• 500A
• Memory Package: Driver's Seat and Driver/Front Passenger Sideview Mirrors
• Premium Technology Package
• Tech Pack #2
• Leather Trimmed Seats with Quilting Design and Mini-Perforation with Red Stitch
• Connected Built-In Navigation
• SiriusXM® with 360L
• B&O Sound System by Band & Olufsen, 10-Speakers including Subwoofer
• SYNC 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition

[Ford Credit Rate Lock Program]

1 hour ago, matt99 said:

“Low Rate” will probably be 5%

The flyer did not provide the rate. But the rate to be secured would be good information to have. The offer for orders placed by 10/03/2022 was 2.9%, so I put my order in just before that date. Here is the screenshot from that offer:

[2023 Expedition Order Bank]

The difference is that no all Years are on Ford's site [such as the 2023 Escape]. There is also an easier way to toggle between standard equipment, options, trims, etc. It also evidences that Dealers do in fact have the ability to order the vehicles.

[2023 Expedition Order Bank]

A Ford dealer out of Toledo, OH has allowed access to the pricing and options which can be found at the link below. You can change models, trims, years, etc.

 

https://www.thayerbg.com/carresearch/VehicleOptions/confid_thayerauto/section_StandardEquipment/id_51641/

[Factory Screw-up]

38 minutes ago, akirby said:

Instead of deleting this I’ll just point out that the reason for the pandemic is irrelevant - the damage to supply chains is real.  And remind you that this isn’t the place for political debate.

Since when are facts and truth political? I specifically stated it was not a political position but one of truth. Politics and political have lost its way and become easy phrases of nothingness. In general, political or politics are two opposing sides that make a case, then work together for the greater good. I have not seen political debate or politics in any fashion for quite some time. In fact I have seen no politicians work for the greater good for decades. I speak the truth against a false narrative crammed down your throats and into your minds. It’s the truth. If you choose to believe lies and propaganda that is your choice, but threatening to censor someone for relaying the truth and then calling the truth political is just another reason things are going downhill in the world. Open your minds. Question everything. I have no skin in the game. I only want to help humanity- yet here you are stating that my factual analysis was political. I would like to know what political gain would occur if people understood the truth, exactly.

[Factory Screw-up]

On 9/21/2022 at 5:37 PM, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi RobN and welcome to the Blue Oval Forums. Due to the pandemic induced parts and commodity shortages, the deluxe center console was not available for some time, and was being deleted at the factory and unavailable to order for some time.

 

I can’t believe I have to point this out, but the issue was not a pandemic. The issue was baseless governmental tyranny. I am a medical doctor so I realize I have the advantage of understanding medical related issues, but this should be clear to everyone. We have all had our rights trampled upon and governments blamed a virus with a tiny mortality rate as the cause. They referred to the situation as a pandemic not based on how deadly the virus was [the traditional measure] but based on case count. That’s right, case count. And what’s the problem with case count? There is still not an actual diagnostic test for the virus. The tests used look for antibodies or antigens - but the tests cannot differentiate between strains, other rhinoviruses, or influenza. The tests also cannot differentiate between live and dead matter [meaning what is infectious or not infectious]. Point being, the issue was neither the virus or a “pandemic”. Allowing the lie to perpetuate only makes it bigger and history false. This is not a political issue for me but rather a truth issue.

 

[2023 Escape Orders & Discussion]

I am not a dealer, but I found this:

 

https://www.thayerbg.com/carresearch/TrimsBuildDealer/make_Ford/year_2023/model_Escape/confid_thayerauto/

 

Each trim and option is priced. I cannot attest to the accuracy.

["Prepare for a brutal future" Farley Tells Dealers]

9 hours ago, silvrsvt said:

 

But we've been in a huge economic downturn for the past two years due to COVID/Supply Chain issues etc when it comes to the auto industry.  

COVID had nothing to do with anything. It was tyrannical behavior by multiple governments in multiple jurisdictions. A virus with a tiny mortality rate was used to create fear and confusion. The virus is easily dealt with - but instead tyrannical measures, fake tests, and misconstrued statistics were used to justify tyrannical policies that have no medical or constitutional basis. As a medical doctor, I can tell you COVID was never the problem.

 

[2017-2019 Explorer, best enginer/transmission]

I think the 5th Generation [2011-2019] is the best Explorer ever in terms of public road behavior. It's the ultimate family SUV. The 2019's [the last year] are the best Gen 5's as Ford quietly corrected some known issues in the final year of production. The best engine during this generation was the transverse mounted 3.5L V6 engines - BUT - those engines also contain a potential problem. The BIG and really only major issue with the 5th Generation Explorers is the internal water pump inside the 3.5L V6's. This means a failure of the internal water pump turns a $200 repair into $2,000+. There are ways to protect the engine from the water pump failure. Routine oil changes with semi-synthetic or full-synthetic oil and coolant flushes every 30,000 miles or 3-years. I owned 4 5th Generation Explorers ['11; '14; '16; '19] and I still own the 2019. We did purchase the extended warranty so at the end of 8 years, I have to ask myself to I want to take the chance with the internal water pump or not. My favorite 5th Gens were/are the 2014 [we got the best gas mileage and it handled the best] and the 2019. We continue to absolutely love our 2019 Explorer. We will do the routine maintenance as described above. But after 8 years, I cannot guarantee that we will keep it due to the internal water pump. Stating that, we like the vehicle so much, we may keep it regardless.