Ford obviously had some interest in an Inline-6 a few years ago when it was reported they were working on a new engine design for F-150, but since that time new Modular Power Cylinder 4-cylinder engines have been introduced, suggesting that architecture is the direction Ford is going.  Rather than buy RAM Hurricane I-6, I think Ford would more likely add 2 more cylinders to Mustang/Explorer/Ranger/Bronco 2.3L I4s to make new 3.4L MPC engine.

Ford Authority linked video claiming essentially all-new 2.0L EcoBoost, so if correct (not 100% sure it is), at least for time being Ford will not need to develop a new popular engine size.   https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/2025-ford-maverick-2-0l-ecoboost-essentially-all-new-video/   Video makes it sound like new engine is likely an extension of Modular Power Cylinder architecture which in this case has 84mm bore X 90mm stroke, but sources like Wikipedia make it seem those engine dimensions have been around for a few years.  Maybe newest 2.0L EB just had not made it to Maverick yet.  The important part is that Ford is still working on proprietary engines.

At least that’s more cost-effective than their traditional “launch and abandon” strategy.

Interesting estimate from RAM that they expect higher take rate on Hemi than Ford gets from V8 in F-150.   https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-ram-1500-hemi-v-8-engine-option-returns-first-look    

What amazes me is that the twin-I-beam is still there......that front suspension is a BEAST!! All the way back to 1965!!!  

I think you are right as I misunderstood what John Lawler was quoted as saying in the auto line link  he was talking about two possible engine suppliers one being VW, the other I couldn’t quite make out but I think it was engine manufacturing spin off from Renault (?), I think he said “Horse”   Anyways, sounds like small engines and for Europe and maybe ROW markets, so maybe not North America.

They've been profitable for I want to say the last few quarters in a row. They've also made a ton of progress on cost efficiency and reducing losses. They're also basically the exclusive provider of vans for Amazon, and with this news, are providing the tech for one of the biggest car companies in the world.    No-one has a crystal ball, who knows what tomorrow brings. But I have more faith in Rivian being around in 20 years than I do Subaru, or Dodge. 

One of my concerns with Rivian is support. Would be interesting if this leads to Rivian vehicles being serviced at VAG stores. Could do the “ghost kitchen” model. I had hoped that they’d do that when Ford was invested in them. 

That's possible, but even if Ford buy engines from ram at a low cost, I don't know what they would buy the 3.0 from them when their own turbocharged v6 motors are so much better. Ecoboost engines are basically best in class as far as turbocharged engines are concerned.    I could see Ford outsourcing powertrains in segments where it doesn't really matter, and they aren't all that remarkable, think things like the escape engine lineup. But in areas where Ford is a powertrain leader, or where those engines are still seen as being a major point of differentiation in the product, I firmly believe Ford will continue to invest.  I could see Ford giving the 5.0 or their larger ecoboosts several additional reiterations in the coming years and decades.   As with all things, it'll be a mix. No-one cares what kind of engine an edge has, so I could totally see Ford buying from an external engine supplier for products like that, but still developing next gen truck and performance vehicle powertrains in house. 

Rivian was going to be the next Tesla and everybody (Ford) wanted in.  Then reality hit, its market cap crashed, and investors (Ford, and others) bailed.  Even today it's no guarantee that Rivian will make it, especially in light of the generally poor EV market in the U.S.  They've yet to make a net profit.