Perhaps hype was not exactly the issue as much as BEVs haven’t achieved promised deliverables; though that can be a distinction without a difference for many.

AAA finds that interest in EV's is declining as Americans turn their interest to hybrids.   https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/06/is-the-ev-hype-over/

Yeah, I likely wouldn't have known had we not recently bought our Bronco.

Here is an except from the press release. It definitely states 2026 for the EV van followed by CE1 in 2027.  DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 21, 2024 – Ford Motor Company is taking additional actions to deliver a profitable, capital-efficient and growing electric vehicle business and add even more propulsion choices for customers that generate lower CO2 emissions.  The plan includes adjusting the company’s North America vehicle roadmap to offer a range of electrification options designed to speed customer adoption – including lower prices and longer ranges. In its fully electric portfolio, Ford will prioritize the introduction of a new digitally advanced commercial van in 2026, followed by two new advanced pickup trucks in 2027 and other future affordable vehicles. Ford also realigned its U.S. battery sourcing plan to reduce costs, maximize capacity utilization, and support current and future electric vehicle production.     

They key is also not being able to see/know the previous price that may have been less.

$1.29 or 3 for $5!

Lightning started year better but now that we have May data can see two consecutive months below 2.5%.  Don’t know why Lightning growth, or lack thereof, is doing worse than Mach-E unless it’s related to higher price.  Important take for me is that market for BEV pickups is quite soft.

I was under the impression that (at least in the NA and EU markets) that widening a vehicle was more of an impact when it comes to collision standards then making it longer, thus why it wasn’t normally done.    interior wise the territory and equator sport appear to be using the same center console that is found in the Mondeo/edge and the CN Bronco in the other thread. I know not much of a connection, but given how little difference there is between the Escape and Bronco Sport interior hardpoint wise, that might be another sign? 

And strangely enough, prices actually went UP in some cases.  It's not about the total price, it's about whether people feel they are getting a good deal or not.  People are weird...