Maverick continues to be a remarkable vehicle, so wish it would be expanded to global and RHD markets. The pickup is a great point of difference in a sea of bland utilities.

Correct and right now, the unexpected consequence is that Europe faces the loss of most of its domestic brands and handing over a huge amount of its automotive industry to China. Germany is in the front line of this and boy, are they pissed. The EU needs a better and more workable plan until EVs and infrastructure is ready.

If buyers wanted 100% EVs they wouldn't have needed laws to mandate them.  Typical government thinking they can force something that isn't technically or economically viable to realize a political agenda.

Abarth shouldn’t be considered its own brand.  Aren’t DS models an offshoot of Peugeot?  Not sure why they became a standalone brand.  Open and Vauxhaull are copy pastes of each other for the Euro and UK markets, so aside from marketing, their costs are the same (one could argue just merge the names to eliminate the marketing expense).   Dodge and Ram shouldn’t have been split, and at this point, if they’re not actually going to give Chrysler any product, just give the minivan back to Dodge and shut Chrysler down.

This is a Hail Mary because Ford has no small vehicles plan of its own.

This quote from the article sums it up:    

Even more interesting, them Rivian owners love their trucks anyway.   https://www.autoweek.com/news/a69698920/reliability-versus-satisfaction-cr-survey/   A sharp eye will notice that Rivian is actually highest in owner satisfaction, while it is lowest in reliability. You would not be the first to scratch your head over that, but keep in mind, these are the same people telling us both things. So, the people, the owners of these vehicles, are telling us, ‘Yes, I had problems with this vehicle. But I would do it again’.”    

It seems that that world governments have come to realize that the people they govern want EVs and other clean energy vehicles, but don't want the ICE vehicles pulled out from under them on a certain date. 

I would strongly advise against exceeding the GCWR. Even if the truck is physically able the tow the trailer, all the liability falls on the operator if something catastrophic occurs. I also see lesser-rated trucks pulling heavier trailers all the time, but this does not mean it’s the safe or legal thing to do. You might want to look at a 2020 or higher Super Duty with the 7.3 as it can be had with a higher GCWR. Good luck with the purchase!