The additional irony of them changing the SUVs to the "car" names is that the only other model using them was Escape (since they dropped Edge).....which also used truck names until the ....2013 (whichever on merged with Kuga).   So instead of just bringing Escape back to truck names, they changed 2 other models, while giving those two models truck trims anyway (Tremor and King Ranch)......   I understand the logic of unifying trim names on form factors (SUVs, trucks, "Bronco", etc).....but don't then undo your own name unification.....

It probably had a low take rate, so these are all ways to boost sales.   1) more recognized name (I know Tremor hasn't been around that long, but I think folks at least have some idea of what it is) 2) looking at the spy photo vs. regular explorers, it does look like the black plastic on the very bottom of the bumper is cut higher for a few inches of additional clearance, but I'd agree that visually it looks the same 3) opening it to more powertrains can help boost sales (but also increase assembly line complexity which contradicts their other efforts)  

Sadly, we're sort of in the same boat now, though perhaps not nearly as dire, but still a product drought.

We've been talking about Mustang coupe/vert sales in the gutter.....they're now offering rebates on '24s to get rid of inventory.  Raising prices multiple times on '25s sounds like a good plan to help sales lol.   2024 Ford Mustang Lineup Gets Robust Rebates       According to CarsDirect, 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost models now qualify for $1,000 in Retail Customer Cash, but the V8-powered GT gets double that amount – $2,000 – which is pretty notable given the fact that V8 pony cars typically don’t get incentives quite that robust in comparison to the I-4 examples. Regardless, the GT still starts out at a solid $11,000 more than the EcoBoost before the rebate is applied, so that might have something to do with the large variance. These new Retail Customer Cash incentives are valid through the end of March, and should make leftover 2024 models a bit more attractive than going with a brand new 2024 pony car, too. This is especially true since the 2025 Mustang has received a couple of price hikes since its debut, too. When it launched late last year, the 2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost only got $100 more expensive, but the GT increased by $2,700, and the Dark Horse was $3,745 pricier than before. Then, in December, the 2025 Mustang was treated to another price increase, at least, for the V8-powered GT and Dark Horse. Both of those models are now $1,000 more expensive than before, which means that the cheapest of the bunch – the GT Fastback – now starts out at $46,560, while the cheapest Dark Horse will set one back at least $64,380. The GT Performance Package is $150 more expensive than before, coming in at $5,445, while the Bronze Appearance Package has gone up by $100 to $1,195. Those that want to choose their own brake caliper color will be paying an extra $150, too.

It was so bad that he had his brother in law, Steve Hamp act as a filter between him and the senior VPs. and he put his fishing Buddy, Mark Schulz in charge of Europe, PAG and Asia Pacific, so no wonder things we’re getting off the rails back then. A transfer to FOE AND PAG was seen as a jolly for Ford executives.

Yes, there was a VAL, a VIM, a VALE, who knows what it all stood for.  Not sure to what extent they were related to the 555's, but they looked similar.  The 555's had pretty much disappeared from the option lists of all the major truck manufacturers by the mid-70's, but Cummins brought the engine back with a turbo as the VT-225 in the late 70's.  I think Ford passed on them but starting in 1980 GM offered the VT-225 in their medium duty conventionals for about 6 months.  The engine really didn't fit in the GM truck and was so difficult to install it significantly slowed the assembly line down at Pontiac East every time one came down the line.  Needless to say it was dropped from the option list but quick (replaced by the Cat 3208T I believe).  Funny I saw a lot of Dodge short-nose conventionals with the 555 in them.    

7M, I remember whenCummins announced those V6/V8 engines in the 60's.  The code word for these was Vim and Val-not sure which was the 6 or the 8.  I did not think they ever were offered in a Ford as that article implies.  And for sure I don't think they had any relationship to the later V-8 midrange  Cummins which I believe initially were offered at 210 HP  and 220 Hp and then they "morphed" into the 555..Triple Nickel.   We had a lot of the 210's in White 9000 single axle tractors  and Mack steel nose DM's that met NYC specs ..3000 gal steel tanks.  When I became my region's vehicle staff guy I replaced the Whites with Louisvilles-LN-9000's.   6-71's at 238 HP and Rt-910 RR.   The drivers loved the change.   I think I paid under $20,000 for those- I think 1972-73...Hard to believe.

It is an opposed piston style of engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposed-piston_engine the Soviets/Russians used this style of engine back in the 1960s on the T-64 and other AFVs based on it. It wasn't the most reliable engine in the world, but got better as time went on  

With 4 wheels, it would have to meet automobile safety & emissions standards. If it had only 3, it would be a motorcycle and subject to easier compliance regs.

This is the type of stuff Ford wastes time on internally. It’s one of the most exhausting things to watch on a regular basis.   I wish they focused more on the more important items like quality instead of marketing/naming things like this.   The MY26 Explorer Tremor will literally be exactly like the Explorer Timberline was except with the MY25 Explorer refresh updates. I think it’s keeping the same wheels but with the Tremor accents added etc.   I think the Tremor will use the regular Explorer’s front and rear fascia’s except with the Tremor accents added and a unique grill insert. This is a cost savings as the Timberline had its own unique front and rear fascia’s entirely. Multiple powertrains might be available as well.