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Ford Escape Remains On Track For Discontinuation By 2026: Report


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45 minutes ago, scode1 said:

 

They also can't sell the 2026 Escape in "Green States"  (CA, MA, NY, OR, VT, WA)

 

Your missing quite a bit-these are the states that use CARB:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington

 

Plus why wouldn't they be able to sell the Escape in these states anyways? 

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28 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

Your missing quite a bit-these are the states that use CARB:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington

 

Plus why wouldn't they be able to sell the Escape in these states anyways? 

Be aware the 2026MY Escape/Corsair (incl. PHEV) will be equipped with Federal / Non-California Emissions System and therefore cannot be registered in Green States (CA, MA, NY, OR, VT, WA) or sold by Dealers located in the state of VT

The information detailed below is applicable to ALL SALES including Retail and Fleet units

SUMMARY
The 2026MY Escape/Corsair will not have split-emissions certifications like Bronco Sport and Maverick. The 2026MY Escape/Corsair will only be able to be equipped with a “Federal / Non-California Emissions System”.

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Posted (edited)
19 minutes ago, bearman54 said:

Be aware the 2026MY Escape/Corsair (incl. PHEV) will be equipped with Federal / Non-California Emissions System and therefore cannot be registered in Green States (CA, MA, NY, OR, VT, WA) or sold by Dealers located in the state of VT

The information detailed below is applicable to ALL SALES including Retail and Fleet units

SUMMARY
The 2026MY Escape/Corsair will not have split-emissions certifications like Bronco Sport and Maverick. The 2026MY Escape/Corsair will only be able to be equipped with a “Federal / Non-California Emissions System”.

 

Huh that is interesting....

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program/advanced-clean-cars-ii

Edited by Sherminator98
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16 hours ago, akirby said:


You don’t change 10 year plans based on 2 months of sales driven by the perception of huge price reductions.

 

Well, Ford changes 10 year plans every 2 months regardless, so why stop now?  😛 

 

15 hours ago, ExplorerDude said:

I’m hearing that MY2026 Escape production will begin in October and will only last for 3 months. I believe LAP will go down next year beginning in January 2026 for retooling for CE1. 

 

Makes sense - i figured they'll produce quite a few at the end to get them through a retooling transition before sales drop off a cliff with the BEV version.

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17 hours ago, akirby said:


You don’t change 10 year plans based on 2 months of sales driven by the perception of huge price reductions.


What rmc523 said above.  Plus a master plan dating back 10 years probably doesn’t resemble today’s business conditions anyway, though I’ll admit there may be many factors involved that none of us know about.  Regarding volume, yes, sales are higher because of recent price reductions, but so was the case for other models Escape outsold.  Just seems strange to eliminate a vehicle that is doing better than many others; granted it doesn’t compete favorably with RAV4 or CR-V in its segment, and I have no idea how Escape profitability compares to other Fords.  We’ll see soon enough what happens when replaced — hope it’s for the better.

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There's no question a BEV Escape will have lower sales than the ICE Escape based on other market models.

 

The big question is whether Bronco Sport will be able to absorb some of the Escape volume, and hopefully at better profitability than Escape.  I think they can help offset Escape's volume by doing 2 things:

1) adding a hybrid powertrain to BS (they can transfer Escape's hybrid tech component volume to Hermosillo, and has the added benefit of consolidating C2 hybrids in one plant)

2) adding a "Max" LWB model for BS with a few extra inches in the wheelbase.

 

This will help it appeal to those that want a bit more space than currently BS offers, and buyers that want better fuel economy, and allow its sales to grow further and absorb Escape sales losses on the ICE side of products.

 

This approach also lets the BEV Escape grow to straddle the current Escape/Edge market better.

 

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Posted (edited)

Ford Vice Chair John Lawler Says Next Gen EVs Are Two Years Away

 

Ford Vice Chair John Lawler touched on this particular subject at the 2025 AllianceBernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, where he was asked about a specific timeline in regard to when we might begin seeing the next-generation line of EVs emerge from The Blue Oval. He responded by saying that “’27, ’28 timeline, when we’ll be launching those products, yes,” seemingly confirming that we’re at least two years or so away from the debut of those models.

Edited by rmc523
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On 6/4/2025 at 10:46 AM, rmc523 said:

 

2) adding a "Max" LWB model for BS with a few extra inches in the wheelbase.

 


This is a must if they proceed with this ridiculous plan.  These two vehicles are much different than people realize who do not have experience with them.  The rear seating/cargo area is very different. 

 

On 6/4/2025 at 12:45 PM, rmc523 said:

Ford Vice Chair John Lawler Says Next Gen EVs Are Two Years Away

 

Ford Vice Chair John Lawler touched on this particular subject at the 2025 AllianceBernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, where he was asked about a specific timeline in regard to when we might begin seeing the next-generation line of EVs emerge from The Blue Oval. He responded by saying that “’27, ’28 timeline, when we’ll be launching those products, yes,” seemingly confirming that we’re at least two years or so away from the debut of those models.


I saw this and about fell over. Ford’s lineup is already spartan, and it’s about to become downright sad here in the near future.

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On 6/4/2025 at 10:46 AM, rmc523 said:

1) adding a hybrid powertrain to BS (they can transfer Escape's hybrid tech component volume to Hermosillo, and has the added benefit of consolidating C2 hybrids in one plant)

2) adding a "Max" LWB model for BS with a few extra inches in the wheelbase.

 

1) Isn't the "tech" already in Hermosillo, with the plant-mate Hybrid Maverick?

 

2) Agreed, the back seat legroom in the current BS is a joke. Good luck trying to fit a rear-facing car seat behind the drivers seat, unless the driver is <5' tall.

 

HRG

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2 hours ago, HotRunrGuy said:

 

1) Isn't the "tech" already in Hermosillo, with the plant-mate Hybrid Maverick?

 

2) Agreed, the back seat legroom in the current BS is a joke. Good luck trying to fit a rear-facing car seat behind the drivers seat, unless the driver is <5' tall.

 

HRG

 

I said "tech volume" - i.e. whatever capacity Louisville had can now be sent to Hermosillo instead.

 

If Hermosillo had a capacity of 2 units, and Louisville 2 units, now Hermosillo can get all 4 units.....obviously a gross oversimplification, but still...

 

They can keep the current one for buyers that may be fine with its size, but give the option for more.

 

 

7 hours ago, tbone said:


This is a must if they proceed with this ridiculous plan.  These two vehicles are much different than people realize who do not have experience with them.  The rear seating/cargo area is very different. 

 


I saw this and about fell over. Ford’s lineup is already spartan, and it’s about to become downright sad here in the near future.

 

Yeah, it's crazy.

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Details on the plant changeover:

 

Ford Louisville Assembly Details Confirm Plant Retooling For EVs

 

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, Ford submitted plans to the city with specific details about what it intends to do at the site in the near future. The development plan includes three building projects, expected to add 52,000 square feet to the facility. One facet of the plant’s rehabilitation will create six new dock positions and three replacement docks, which will reroute existing roads on the property. Additionally, another 30,000 square feet will add more dock space. But the third addition to the property is the most notable part of the plan, as involves the construction of an electric vehicle charging station. The station is projected to cover about 12,000 square feet, due to the canopy that will cover 16 charging units and a substation.

 

Ford Louisville Assembly Plant expansion to make electric vehicles

 

Developers submitted this site development plan for additions at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant. June 2, 2025

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

But the third addition to the property is the most notable part of the plan, as involves the construction of an electric vehicle charging station. The station is projected to cover about 12,000 square feet, due to the canopy that will cover 16 charging units and a substation.

 

So reading comments-how are the vehicles built on the production line get charged? So if the plant is making 60 units an hour, even if those charging units had 2 or even 4 ports to charge from, that doesn't sound like that would be enough to charge then to say 50% or so for transport? 

 

The Ford Authority article claims its going to be an EV Ranger Pickup LOL

 

 

Edited by Sherminator98
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On 5/22/2025 at 10:40 PM, Rick73 said:

Ford on average is not making that much profit per vehicle.  If they lowered prices their profitability would be even lower, and it’s not that great now.  Essentially they are not laughing their way to the bank (I know you didn’t mean it literally).  Some would say they are somewhat struggling.

 

Yea, you're right. Ford was at the bottom of the list (top 10) for profit per vehicle in the Industry Report Card that the Autoline guys put out last week.

 

image.png.2f5cb6e41b2764bc1e58da89b44cbeed.png

 

 

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16 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, you're right. Ford was at the bottom of the list (top 10) for profit per vehicle in the Industry Report Card that the Autoline guys put out last week.

 

image.png.2f5cb6e41b2764bc1e58da89b44cbeed.png

 

 


Frankly, it’s very likely related to its substantial American manufacturing footprint.  
 

My general question related to profit is how much is enough, whether it’s building cars or hammers?  As long as you’re making a profit is that acceptable?  

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46 minutes ago, akirby said:


LOL


I suppose you could say it was meant to be rhetorical. The state of American manufacturing is to squeeze every red cent out of everything, which, IMO, resulted in its demise.  So the answer would be no, simply making a profit is not acceptable.  

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6 hours ago, tbone said:

My general question related to profit is how much is enough, whether it’s building cars or hammers? 


Ford’s head honcho said a couple years ago he expects 10% pretax profit margin in 2026. Ford sure ain’t achieving those numbers by selling boring anonymous blobs like the Escape!

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54 minutes ago, morgan20 said:


Ford’s head honcho said a couple years ago he expects 10% pretax profit margin in 2026. Ford sure ain’t achieving those numbers by selling boring anonymous blobs like the Escape!


I think warranty costs are the main thing keeping margins below 10%.  

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2 hours ago, tbone said:


I suppose you could say it was meant to be rhetorical. The state of American manufacturing is to squeeze every red cent out of everything, which, IMO, resulted in its demise.  So the answer would be no, simply making a profit is not acceptable.  


Nothing wrong with more profit until you start taking too many risks.

 

It’s like gambling with no car insurance.  You save money but if you’re unlucky it can be catastrophic.

 

Replacing Fusion with Maverick and Bronco Sport was a good move with little risk.

 

Killing Edge and Nautilus for 3 row EVs was a huge risk that ended up being disastrous.

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10 hours ago, akirby said:

Replacing Fusion with Maverick and Bronco Sport was a good move with little risk.

 

Yea, that's right. More generally the head honcho's dictum of Ford gettin' out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business is a good move with little risk. In the U.S., Ford can whack all of its remaining boring unibody anonymous blobs out of the lineup, and focus on only these:

  • Body on frame vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Mustang including MME
  • Bronco including BS
  • Maverick
  • Ford Pro including the services

And as you mentioned if Ford can get the spiraling warranty costs under control and also implement lean manufacturing principles properly (which they completely failed to do when I worked for Ford and have failed to do since I left), the combination of an iconic-vehicle product lineup and improved operations management should make 10% pretax net profit margin a reasonable goal for Ford. 

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On 6/13/2025 at 7:46 AM, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, that's right. More generally the head honcho's dictum of Ford gettin' out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business is a good move with little risk. In the U.S., Ford can whack all of its remaining boring unibody anonymous blobs out of the lineup, and focus on only these:

  • Body on frame vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Mustang including MME
  • Bronco including BS
  • Maverick
  • Ford Pro including the services

And as you mentioned if Ford can get the spiraling warranty costs under control and also implement lean manufacturing principles properly (which they completely failed to do when I worked for Ford and have failed to do since I left), the combination of an iconic-vehicle product lineup and improved operations management should make 10% pretax net profit margin a reasonable goal for Ford. 

It really is a smart strategy, because what it's doing is getting consumers to fall in love with Ford, and Ford's passion products. Whereas Toyota, Kia, Nissan, a lot of those buyers don't love those brands directly, they're in love with the idea of low cost reliable transportation pods to get them from A to B. 

 

Once the Chinese show up in our market and they can undercut all of those brands on price, and offer vehicles with comparable quality, I genuinely believe brands like Nissan and Kia will really be hurting, because they built their brand on attributes their competitors could easily copy. Whereas Ford is leaning into passion and heritage, which is a lot harder to compete with. I'm stunned more people can't see this. 

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