Jack Cooper is closing its doors after negotiations fell through with GM and the loss of Ford.   https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/auto-hauler-jack-cooper-shutting-191442830.html

Most definitely, agree with that.   Im not disputing the need for larger vehicles and for them to be treated fairly with respect to the load carrying and tow requirements…..just think about the partition of class 2A vs 2B.   In the end, it seems like most people either side of the CAFE limits got what they wanted…

Roughly 50 years ago, just after the oil crisis, had gas and diesel prices been increased gradually at a rate of as high as $0.20/gallon per year, most of us today would already be driving 50+ MPG vehicles, so the cost of gas per driven mile, adjusted for inflation, would be no worse than when cars got 15 MPG back in my dad’s time.  I know it sounds absurdly expensive, but I think we would have compensated just fine over 50 years.  And the money wouldn’t have been wasted, just used to reduce costs in other areas.  Increasing tax on fuels to reduce usage could have allowed reductions on income and or sales tax, as example, so net effect on population isn’t as extreme as it sounds.  Granted it’s too late now, but if “wondering” like jpd80 suggested, higher fuel prices would have been my preference — direct and to the point.

Yes, no doubt more efficient than regular 3.3L, but economy not on par with other hybrids in City cycle, where they normally exceed Highway cycle ratings.  I expect Ford may have dropped Hybrid Explorer until they can come out with a much more advanced hybrid powertrain, whatever that looks like.   I drive my largest vehicle mostly on longer road trips, and for that type of use, the hybrid’s highway MPG improvement would not come close to paying for the added cost.  Also, Motor Trend stated that tests of Police Interceptor showed 3.3L V6 accelerated faster than Hybrid, so very little incentive to own hybrid if mostly for highway driving.   EPA fuel cost estimates, over 5 years, show not enough savings to pay for added upfront hybrid cost for my use case.  Motor Trend listed cost difference at $3,500 for hybrid versus regular 3.3L V6.  I use word “regular” because hybrid was standard, and regular 3.3L a $3,500 price credit.  Not sure what other upgrades the hybrid cost premium included in police interceptor back in 2020 when tested.   In any case, I think a hybrid would be a good option to have, as well as a Naturally Aspirated engine choice.    

2003 E350 7.3l brake vacuum booster conversion to hydroboost.  Will hydroboost and hoses from a 2003 E450 7.3l bolt up without modification?

Gas is too cheap. The federal gas tax was last increased in 1993, 

Yeah that hybrid really delivers the mpgs…..  

Not useless.  Ford sold tons of Fiestas and Focii just to meet CAFE even when they were losing money.  They never contemplated mfrs would completely abandon small cars completely.  And higher fuel costs do adversely affect lower incomes more even if they have higher mpg.

It also depends on how that equipment is being used too-having an RV is cheaper then a mortgage payment or taxes/etc on a house if it is paid off, so paying $4 for gas would be a wash in the expense category.    CAFE was effective for improving gas mileage  30-40 years ago, but actual amount of money saved (at current gas prices) is only $600 a year or $50 bucks a month using an old 1986 Escort 1.9L vs an Escape Hybrid FWD 

The reason Mulally left Boeing was because he was passed over for CEO several times. Back then, Boeing was already in touble and people who became CEO actually made things much worse.   After leaving Boeing, Mulally was asked about the troubles at his old employer but he was too smart to embroil himself in those issues…