That same Ford Europe person also happily used the Capri name on an ugly VW based BEV Utility  At Ford, it’s the in thing to shun “commodity vehicles” and instead build high priced vehicles that few people seem to want….things are getting really bad at Ford Europe and that’s why Dearborn is taking a stronger hand in future decisions as the need for separate European Eng is questioned.

And BOC was all about mass production of next Gen BEV F150 and companion BEV Expedition. That is all going backwards exactly because interest is tanking and big batteries mean less profit.   Those thinking that Ford is too far down the track to cancel it are correct, the best course is to keep pushing the date backwards until interest improves…..like the three row Utility……..   CE1 was planned for Louisville after Escape  product cycle ends but it now looks like a new or updated Escape is in the works so Maybe CE1 goes somewhere else…

I was responding to his assumption”sorry to disappoint you”

The Mach-e is a passion product, as is that renault hot hatch I was talking about a week ago. Passion products aren't constrained by powertrain type, it's all about the approach taken to design and engineering. Mark my words, if we ever get back to the days of relatively affordable fun cars with lots of variety, it'll be because of ev skateboard platforms. 

I’d say the biggest gaffes have been the ecoboost 1.0, 1.5/1.6, 2.0 engines and the dual clutch transmission issues. Those are the most glaring because they were engineering defects that got glossed over and pushed out into production. Manufacturing and supplier issues can be solved easier.    Ford doubled down on stupid with final refresh of the Focus and kept the dual clutch when they had a more reliable suitable 6 speed.     

The REVC is an extension of the Rouge plant and not a separate plant. They’d be hard pressed to additional products in it I think. 

As the Biden administration has utilized it, the administration has authority to limit the rebates on several basis such as domestic content. While the IRA itself could be amended by a simple majority vote through the budget reconciliation process, given the republicans lack of a working majority and almost every congressional district receiving IRA benefits, that's unlikely.

Isn’t EV and passion products that sell in volume almost an oxymoron?  Aside from maybe original Tesla Roadster that sold well for an EV by virtue of having almost no competition?  However, even that was low volume as share of total market.  I expect buyers that purchase EVs are somewhat passionate about their cars, but if we look at highest sellers, the Tesla Model Y and 3, would you consider them passion products?  IMO EV buyers thus far may have been more passionate about electrification and technology.

Even compact pickups are a niche market in Europe, and nobody bothers with full size pickups. Vans take the place of pickups in the Europe, but unlike the US there isn't a huge market of consumers buying pickups to use as passenger cars. None the less in some markets vans like the Transit Custom outsell cars, and despite being undercut on price that's still a profitable market for Ford. But despite having competitive products Ford has surrendered the European car market without a fight, and taking that market back will be difficult if not impossible. Ford is slowly retreating to being a US and Canada light truck maker, taking advantage of US tariff and non tariff protectionism.

Seen reports Europeans prefer vans more than pickups.  If correct, that may explain Ford thinking there is not enough demand for Maverick; and or perhaps they don’t have sufficient excess manufacturing capacity.