There are rumors this is the case, right around the same time Ford is discussing how they had a breakthrough with affordable battery tech recently. Call me nuts, but with their current trajectories, I can see a future in 10-20 years where Ford is doing better in the ev space than Tesla is. It seems like Tesla is losing steam right as Ford is getting into their stride. 

Six minutes of fun! It took place in Lynnville MA. A couple Macks, a C-series Ford.   (537) 40th Annual MAFAA Fire Truck Parade (2017) - YouTube

I'm replying to my own post to say that we were finally able to get the tailgate removal kit from the dealer.  For anyone else who may be searching for this, the number listed on the package is PC3Z-13A576-A 1X.  I forgot to take a photo of the contents but it did what we needed it to do.

They’re claiming the wrap kits are only $500, but that doesn’t cover installation and that’s not cheap.

Agree 100%     They really have a problem with products that don’t seem important at the time but help with wider sales. Would RAV4 have pipped FSeries fo sales lead if say, Escape had performed better instead of just sucking it up.

Or you could the Earl Scheib special instead😁

I’m wondering if Tesla has quietly killed its low cost EV since the brand has  gone off the boil with sales.

To be clear I don’t like the camera in any vehicle but I don’t begrudge Lincoln for matching other mfrs.

As stated, Ford could also generate a considerable amount of revenue by selling their CE1 platform to brands like Slate. Kinda like how VW sold their EV platform to Ford. If this CE1 platform is the end all, be all, I can see a lot of startup brands being interested in buying it, even if it means throwing out their own engineering work. Imagine how cool this slate truck would be if they delayed it by a few years to switch to Ford's CE1 platform, and produced in out of one of Ford's plants.    It means a higher quality platform, it means the platform has Ford quality, and can be serviced and repaired at thousands of Ford locations. This could save these start up brands a shit ton of time and money by partnering with someone like Ford instead of trying to build their own series of dealers and services centers across the country.    Now is the time to take a unique approach. This whole thing is about how could Ford rethink their partnerships to make things like producing EVs more profitable and sustainable. 

$25K today is effectively the same as $20K in 2021 when Maverick came out with that base MSRP.    Can Slate deliver the truck at that price? Remains to be seen because they don't have production site or have said anything about who is building it.   The only important thing to remember is Slate can do a 2 door truck because it is BEV - it can deliver huge MPGe so has no CAFE footprint restrictions. Ford probably did look at making a shorter 2 door Maverick but quickly ruled that out due to CAFE. Next gen Maverick will need to get a lot bigger to stay ahead of that dreaded CAFE curve... or go full electric.    That brings me to the CE1 truck... don't forget Ford's CE1 truck target price is... drumroll... $25K. I don't know if Ford CE1 Maverick will beat Slate to market but I wouldn't bet against it.