This is an excuse, IMO.  The issue is, Ford often removes the feature (speaking in a general sense here) altogether, not just puts it in an option package.  Speaking specifically on the rain sensing wipers, the article points out that they already were only on upper trims.  Continually removing features that the customer interacts with isn't a good long-term recipe for success, IMO.

I think you're misunderstanding the impacts that tariffs have. The Maverick isn't a replacement or substitute for an F-350. The Maverick does not provide the same utility to the buyer as the Maverick does when compared to a Ranger, which is what has been shrinking since the Maverick's introduction. Another thing to think of is that Toyota sold 603,000 midsize pickup trucks in 2023. Those trucks sold in other markets are priced between $10,000 and $6000 less than the mid-sized trucks sold in the United States pickup. The impact of the chicken tax is effectively to increase the cost of all trucks imported or made domestically, when you can buy an $18,000 Toyota Helix there is no reason to sell a pickup truck the size of a maverick. If the cost of mid-size pickup trucks dropped 6 to 10,000 dollars the price of full-size pickup trucks would have to fall as well. Because the maverick isn't a Substitute for an F-150 but you can argue that a Ranger could be a substitute for an F-150. In total, the conversation about pickup trucks misses the point: in most markets, vans are the primary utility vehicle, not pickup trucks. In my opinion, the segment most harmed by the chicken tax are commercial vans, which operate in a more competitive, price-sensitive marketplace. The cancellation of GM's bright drop is an excellent example of this. That van had the greatest utility amongst its peers, but its price killed it.  In a market without the chicken tax we would see a wider variety of commercial and passenger vans sold and the entrance of inexpensive mid-size electric and non-electric pickup trucks into the market followed in a couple years by less expensive full size pickup trucks imported from Turkey Spain Africa even China which would have the effect of dropping the price floor on existing full size trucks, forcing more competition into the market. Which has the add-on effect of killing profits for what's left of the big three

Had RS wipers on my 2013 Escape.  They worked very well.  My 2020 Escape, they suck.  Goes from barely working, to constant on.  No in between.  I turned them off.

This sucks.  I had to replace the rearview camera on my 2013 Flex, but the recall does not go back that far.

Thanks for the advice. I went outside and touched grass, a bush, and even a tree.  I feel much better —like I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

As many times as he asks? LMAO

How many times are you going to answer this? LOL

Hmnn..must be those Super Duty trucks will only be for sale in Canada because if the trend continues, and the Donald doesn't get off his high horse, our friends in Canada will not accept a Ford built in the USA😎

Won’t comment on auto industry specifically but believe sometimes it can be true because the two are not mutually exclusive.  Customers’ freedom of choice doesn’t preclude some companies or businesses or entire industries for that matter from acting in selfish interest or unethical behavior.  Free markets are a great tool for societies to prosper yet require some level of regulation to prevent abuse in pursuit of profitability.   One clear example is the cigarette industry.  Even though people have the right to say no to smoking it did not prevent companies from doing everything possible to get more customers hooked through advertising and making products more addictive.  It is (or was) legal in a purely free market sense but is that what society wants or needs?   For me it’s a tough subject because I find the use of a 9,000-pound pickup to mostly transport a +/- 150-pound human from point A to B absurdly inefficient, yet at same time believe in our right to buy large vehicles that are controversial; within reason of course.   I don’t know of a great solution that is equitable to all hence difficulty in taking sides.

Looks too boxy. 😀