Chang'an Ford has been purged of all lower end models. Escort and Focus were discontinued last year and so was the cheaper Escape. I'm not sure 2.0T Escape will survive in China after this year either. Farley was planning to kill the model worldwide - seems like US production got a reprieve for one more year but not so sure about China, Spain and Taiwan production.    Basically, Ford has been growing Jiangling Ford products and pruning Chang'an Ford products. I think it may have something to do with how the JVs are setup. Ford seems to have more control over what goes on at Jiangling Ford. 

Most of these racing models are just "let's put a fake body on that loosely resembles the model we're calling it."

The point is slow news day and Ford Authority needed an article....I wouldn't look into it more than that.     Lightning is running around 3.4% of F-series sales for the year, as of April.     I think they can market it as "impactless excessiveness" if that makes sense.....the "have your cake and eat it too" in the sense of what would normally be a big gas-guzzling model is now BEV, so no emissions (ignore other factor), so people can feel better about their excessive purchase.

Rock Auto has 'em and for far cheaper than $100 each....Monroes are a bit of a challenge to find (only 1 at R/A) but the FCS is available and it looks like it will be less since you reuse your rear shock mount. They even have a "pair" with the mount for well under $100.   But, seeing as you said this confusing statement...sayonara......  

Range expectations at upper end have been a moving target, though they may soon start to level off once 400~500 miles are reached.   What’s puzzling to me is how these GM huge-battery vehicles like Hummer, Silverado, and Escalade can be marketed?  They are not saving the planet by reducing GHGs, they don’t save money on energy, not that anyone buying such a vehicle probably cares, and they cost much more than their traditional counterparts.  I may be completely wrong, but don’t see much demand.

GM is persisting with the big battery, premium priced vehicle route. Clearly, price limits the number of sales but probably helps with exclusivity that is expected with a much higher priced vehicle. I think it would be wise for Ford to consider all possibilities but most importantly, matching range expectations with the particular level, be that HEV, PHEV, small or large battery BEV.

China-sourced Fords tend to still cost more than similarly equipped Chinese-branded models.  Ford launched a PHEV version of the Equator Sport (Territory) and it costs more than its BYD-rival which is priced like the non-hybrid Equator Sport (Territory). A new global Escape model that looked more SUV-like, offered better interior room and offered more utility, it might just work. Without the 2-row Edge, Ford can move the Escape up a bit in terms of sizing.  For markets in Asia and South America that need something cheaper, the Territory can fill the lower C-segment space.   In China, the JMC-built Equator Sport (Territory) is positioned below the Changan-built Escape. The Chinese Ford Escape has no entry-level base trim, all trims get the 2.0 EcoBoost, even the FWD models. In terms of pricing, only the Equator Sport PHEV models overlap with the Escape.

Agree completely; mostly posturing given Lightning sales were only around 1 out of every 40 F-Series last month IIRC, and other compared vehicles are no better.  Tesla reported numbers are a little higher but who knows how they got there?  In any case, CyberTruck sales are a fraction of original projections.   On subject of vehicles buyers say they may or may not want, MotorWeek reviewed the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, and while interesting and luxurious in some ways, I wonder how many buyers will pay around $130k (starting price) for a huge 3-row battery-electric SUV that comes with 200 kWh battery.  In fairness, that huge battery gives it an estimated 465 miles of EPA range which is pretty good.  Escalade IQ reportedly shares many components with the Hummer EV and the Silverado EV, two vehicles that are not selling well, so will be interesting to follow sales volume.  If nothing else it’s hard to say to what degree the $130k starting price will limit sales.  It’s certainly not a mass-market SUV.  

Purely face saving for Tesla, no more talk of  reservation numbers. Ford also silent on BOC as the current Lightning construction set up at Dearborn is well under capacity.   All the dollars thrown at products that most buyers show little interest in.  

Well, he DOES hit large potholes and ruts......